Sign-ups for Old Republic test open

By Oli Welsh Published 30 September, 2009

Star Wars MMO begins "extended" process.

BioWare has opened testing registration for its mammoth Star Wars MMO, The Old Republic.

You'll need to create an active community account before you can can proceed to the testing registration itself. Testers will be seleceted on various criteria, including age (over 18s only), region and system specifications.

"Game testing for Star Wars: The Old Republic will be rolled out in several phases over an extended period of time," BioWare said. So, don't interpret this as meaning the game is nearing release.

Indeed, you'll notice that at no point does BioWare mention the word "beta", meaning it could be selecting participants for alpha or even pre-alpha focus testing. And although fairly brief beta tests have become normal in MMOs recently, some games - stablemate Warhammer Online springs to mind - spend over a year in the public testing phase.

Nonetheless, it's a good indication that development on The Old Republic is progressing smoothly, and that the game could be on track for release next year.

You'll find exhaustive coverage of the game - our pick of this year's gamescom convetion - at the Star Wars: The Old Republic gamepage.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (22) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • swisstony #1 2 years ago

    I signed up...added info for the beta testing, pressed continue and it went back to the original account signup page for the community. Either IP booted for non US or a problem. Anyone else got this?

  • GilbertGreen #2 2 years ago

    I had the same thing happen to me also, not sure what the problem is.

  • joe90 #3 2 years ago

    cannot create an account .. tryed on chrome,ie and ff

  • RexRunti #4 2 years ago

    I'm having simular issues, I guess the servers under a lot of strain. Of course I've noticed they also want a system scan (not that I can get that far yet) which means I probably shouldn't be signing up from work.

    Edit: I already have SWTOR account it's the Testing bit I have issues with.
    Edited by 1 at 30/09/09 @ 09:46

  • Mickle #5 2 years ago

    Same for me too

  • RexRunti #6 2 years ago

    Tried to look at the forums and:

    As some of you may be aware, we are currently experiencing a high degree of traffic. Our staff is working to address these performance and capacity issues as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you may experience some latency while visiting the website. We apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing you.

    If you are having issues signing-up or updating an existing account, please contact us and provide enough information so that our staff can readily assist you. Please note that we will not be choosing testers based on what order they have signed up. Your patience during this process is greatly appreciated.


    Edit: Added "Contact Us" link
    Edited by 1 at 30/09/09 @ 10:21

  • SL33PY #7 2 years ago

    The site is buggy as hell, tried to sign up 2 times already and I'm even unable to login :(

    @rex, where do we need to contact them?
    Edited by 1 at 30/09/09 @ 09:56

  • Juanji #8 2 years ago

    I had that problem too, what i did was sign up for the site, after that go to your Profile, at the bottom you can opt-in for the testing. Also there you provide all your details needed for signup. It will work in Europe.

  • Nova5lag #9 2 years ago

    Boo! Broken Muchly

  • SL33PY #10 2 years ago

    Signup in IE worked for me this time

  • RexRunti #11 2 years ago

    @Sl33py Sorry the link didn't copy. It's just their contact us form http://www.swtor.com/su pport.

  • WinterSnowblind #12 2 years ago

    They're looking for active members of the community, if you're only just registering an accoung to get into the beta now, it's unlikely you're going to get in anyway.

  • comedian #13 2 years ago

    Yeah sign up is borked atm.

  • sneetch #14 2 years ago

    Yep, I apparently "don't meet the criteria for creating an account at the moment."

    Edit: second time it allowed me to go to a full details page then it screwed up and wants me to re-enter my details.
    Edited by 1 at 30/09/09 @ 12:26

  • Hunam #15 2 years ago

    Pretty much doesn't work.

  • Shikasama #16 2 years ago

    The website isnt broken or buggy, it has simply been battered by hundreds of thousands/possibly millions of people trying to sign up and register for the testing all at once.

    Patience padawans. Less internet tears.

  • mandella #17 2 years ago

    "Nonetheless, it's a good indication that development on The Old Republic is progressing smoothly, and that the game could be on track for release next year."

    Guys, please. I know it's partially in your interest to sustain hype around this game, but such comments are simply unprofessional. We all KNOW it won't appear on stores in 2010.

  • HistoryTeller #18 2 years ago

    It would be cool, though.

  • Huddy #19 2 years ago

    "Guys, please. I know it's partially in your interest to sustain hype around this game, but such comments are simply unprofessional. We all KNOW it won't appear on stores in 2010."

    Do we?

  • WinterSnowblind #20 2 years ago

    @mandella
    And just yesterday people were saying there was NO chance that this weeks Friday Update would have anything to do with game testing :)

  • Byzanite #21 2 years ago

    Managed to get it to scan my system but I never says its completed or "Thank you for your interest". Just takes me back to the beginning of sign up again... Who knows if its actually registered or not.

  • romelpotter #22 2 years ago

    Log on and then check your account profile. From there you can see if your scan has saved sucsessfully or not. If it hasn't you have the option to rescan your system and also make sure your contact info is up to date.

    Then save your profile!