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Star Wars: The Old Republic expansion Knights of the Fallen Empire announced

Ups level cap to 65, includes level 60 character boost, is free for subscribers.

BioWare has announced a heavily story-focused expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic called Knights of the Fallen Empire. It's coming 27th October, it raises the level cap to 65, and it will be free to anyone who chooses to subscribe to the free-to-play MMO.

Knights of the Fallen Empire also includes the option to create a character at level 60 - a character boost. Existing Class story arcs will be enhanced, ie. sped up, and existing Flashpoints and Operations (dungeons and raids) will be buffed so they remain endgame content.

That's Arcann, and he's a meanie.

There's a reward programme kicking into gear that rewards you for subscribing between now and expansion launch. Rewards include companions, guns, coats, bikes and early expansion access. Full details on the game's website.

Knights of the Fallen Empire will try to present a more classical BioWare single-player story, focused on you and your choices, your companions and your desires. You'll be up against a new faction and a new enemy, the Emperor of the Eternal Throne.

A trailer for the expansion showed two boys, one dressed in white, one black, growing up and training in the Force alongside each other. They are heirs to empire that are united by ambition. They are unstoppable, until one of them - Arcann - is badly injured in battle.

Refixed in a half-mask to stay alive, Arcann's thoughts darken and, you guessed it, he walks the path to the Dark Side. The trailer ends when tension mounts and things come to a head.

Stirring stuff, but nothing at all to do with The Force Awakens? That's a mild surprise.

Cover image for YouTube videoStar Wars: The Old Republic - Knights of the Fallen Empire - E3 2015 Trailer
Cover image for YouTube videoSTAR WARS: The Old Republic – Knights of the Fallen Empire – “Sacrifice” Trailer