The Basics of Star Wars: The Old Republic

What Is Star Wars: The Old Republic?
Star Wars: The Old Republic is a massively multiplayer online game set in the Star Wars universe before the events of any of the films. Players will be able to play as members of The Republic or The Sith Empire. 

What's the Story?
Star Wars: The Old Republic is set more than 3,000 years before the rise of Darth Vader. The Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire have been at war, during which the Empire was able to seize control of a number of Republic star systems. Though a peace treaty has been signed, it appears the two sides are headed for another war.

What Classes Are There?
Players in Star Wars: The Old Republic will be able to play as one of eight character classes, four on the Republic side and four on the Sith side. Each character class has its own weapons, companion characters, and specializations. Details on the character classes appear below.

Trooper (Republic)

• Weapons: Heavy Blaster Rifles
• Specializations: Vanguard and Commando
• Introductory Companion: Tonno Vik
• Starship: BT-7 Thunderclap

Smuggler (Republic)

• Weapons: Fast-Firing Blasters
• Specializations: Gunslinger and Scoundrel
• Introductory Companion: Bowdaar
• Starship: XS Freighter

Jedi Knight (Republic)

• Weapons: Light Sabers
• Specializations: Guardian and Sentinel
• Introductory Companion: T7-01
• Starship: Defender

Jedi Consular (Republic)

• Weapons: Light Sabers
• Specializations:Shadow and Sage
• Introductory Companion: Qyzen Fess
• Starship: Defender

Bounty Hunter (Sith)

• Weapons: Advanced Blasters
• Specializations: Powertech and Mercenary
• Introductory Companion: Mako
• Starship: D5-Mantis

Sith Warrior (Sith)

• Weapons: Light Sabers
• Specializations: Juggernaut and Marauder
• Introductory Companion: Vette
• Starship: Fury

Imperial Agent (Sith)

• Weapons: Blaster Rifles
• Specializations: Operative and Sniper
• Introductory Companion: Kaliyo Djannis
• Starship: X-70B Phantom

Sith Inquisitor (Sith)

• Weapons: Light Sabers
• Specializations: Sorceror and Assassin
• Introductory Companion: Khem Val
• Starship: Fury

What Races Are There?
Players can play as any of the following races:

• Human
• Chiss
• Miraluka
• Mirialan
• Rattataki
• Sith Pureblood
• Twi'lek
• Zabrak

Other species that appear in the game include:

• Droid
• Wookie
• Dashade
• Tarentatek
• Vine Cat
• Trandoshan
• Gormak
• Gundark
• Salky Hound

What's the Multiplayer Like?
There are a number of different aspects to the multiplayer in Star Wars: The Old Republic. There are flashpoints where four players cooperatively tackle a mission, large-scale Operations where multiple groups of players take on a massive enemy and PvP.

Do I Have to Play With Other People?
Not necessarily. Bioware has said that the majority of gameplay related to the story in Star Wars: The Old Republic will be able to be completed solo, though it will be necessary to interact with other players by buying and selling goods, encountering them in public areas, and competing with them for kills.

How Much Will It Cost?
No pricing structure for Star Wars: The Old Republic has been announced yet, though it's likely to have a subscription model.

When's It Coming Out?
We have yet to hear a release date for Star Wars: The Old Republic.

How's It Looking?
We've been pretty impressed with what we've seen thus far. The structure of Star Wars: The Old Republic is slightly different than other MMOs as there is a large focus on story.