Star Wars: The Old Republic – Galactic Starfighter Digital Expansion Announced

BioWare Austin cranked out a press release earlier today announcing plans to bring us a new digital-only expansion pack for Star Wars: The Old Republic entitled Galactic Starfighter. As you might have guessed from the title, the add-on will focus on space-based battles and will have us officially dogfighting among planetary landscapes on February 4th, 2014. First, check out the trailer:

Them move on to the full press release with all of the necessary details:

BIOWARE UNVEILS GALACTIC STARFIGHTER, THE NEXT DIGITAL EXPANSION FOR Star Warsâ„¢: THE OLD REPUBLICâ„¢

The Galactic War between the Republic and Empire Takes to the Skies with Epic 12v12 Space Battles

Subscribe by November 1 to Secure Early Gunship Unlock and Custom Gunship Paint Jobs

AUSTIN, Texas Oct. 8, 2013 Join the battle and customize the ultimate starship to become a legendary Starfighter pilot in the Star Warsâ„¢: The Old Republicâ„¢ universe! Today, BioWareâ„¢, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), and LucasArts announced that Star Wars: The Old Republic is adding Player-vs-Player (PvP) combat in the Free-to-Play Digital Expansion: Galactic Starfighter. With a variety of unique starships, a wide set of customization and upgrade options, multiple battle zones and gameplay modes, Galactic Starfighter brings the thrill of epic 12v12 space battles to Star Wars: The Old Republic for the first time.

Active Star Wars: The Old Republic subscribers will be offered Early Access starting December 3 and Preferred Status Players* on January 14. Galactic Starfighter will be offered as a Free-to-Play Digital Expansion available to the public beginning on February 4. Each group will also receive special in-game items as part of this Early Access opportunity (detailed below). As a special benefit, active subscribers as of November 1 will receive an exclusive Galactic Starfighter early Gunship unlock and custom Gunship paint jobs.**

(Our goal with Star Wars: The Old Republic has always been to immerse players into their own Star Wars adventure and huge space battles are a vital part of fulfilling that fantasy,) said Jeff Hickman, General Manager of BioWare Austin. (Galactic Starfighter will be a deep experience that will continue to grow over time. We can’t wait for both our current and new players to get their hands on it soon.)

Players who subscribe to Star Wars: The Old Republic by November 1 will receive an exclusive Galactic Starfighter early Gunship unlock and custom Gunship paint jobs. Starting December 3, subscribers are eligible to receive special reward items along with the Early Access opportunity.

Subscriber Early Access Rewards (Subscriber Early Access opens December 3, 2013)

Early Access to Galactic Starfighter on December 3
Exclusive Paint Jobs***
Two Pilot Suits
Two Titles ((Test Pilot) and (First Galactic Starfighter))
Subscribers get the maximum leveling and progression benefit (a Starfighter Pass will also be available for purchase in the Cartel Market beginning January 14)

Preferred Status players will receive:

Early Access to Galactic Starfighter on January 14
Two Pilot Suits
Exclusive Title ((Test Pilot))

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a Free-to-Play, award-winning MMO set thousands of years before the classic Star Wars movies. Players team up with friends online to fight in heroic battles between the Republic and Empire, exploring a galaxy of vibrant planets and experiencing visceral Star Wars combat. Now players can experience the complete storylines of the eight iconic Star Wars classes, all the way to Level 50 without having to pay a monthly fee. The Free-to-Play option complements the existing subscription offering, providing greater flexibility in how to experience Star Wars: The Old Republic.

For more information on the Digital Expansion: Galactic Starfighter, please visit www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/galactic-starfighter. Join the conversation by visiting the official Community Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages. For additional press assets, please visit http://info.ea.com.

* Players gain Preferred Status by purchasing anything from the online store. Former Subscribers are automatically Preferred Status players. To qualify, a player must gain Preferred Status between January 14, 2014 and February 3, 2014 (Prior to the official public launch on February 4, 2014). The offer ends February 3, 2014 at 11:59PM PST / February 4, 2014, 7:59AM GMT.

** Subscribers as of November 1, 2013 receive the Early Gunship Unlock and Custom Gunship Paint Jobs. To qualify, a player must be a subscriber on or before November 1, 2013, 11:59PM PDT / November 2, 2013, 7:59AM GMT.

*** Early Gunship Role Unlock is offered only to Subscribers who qualify and is available in-game beginning December 3, 2013. Gunship Role is permanently unlocked in-game January 14, 2014. Subscribers between December 3, 2013 and January 13, 2014 (Prior to the launch of Preferred Status Early Access on January 14, 2013), are eligible to receive special items including exclusive Starship Paint Jobs for the Scout and for the Strike Fighter.