Star Wars: The Old Republic’s Lead Writer Calls Its Omission from BioWare’s Farewell Message ‘Heartbreaking’

On Wednesday, Electronic Arts announced the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect installment. While this move aligns with EA’s past decisions, it still took many by surprise. BioWare’s farewell message to fans also left at least one developer feeling let down, particularly one who has been involved with the Star Wars MMO that the studio helped launch over a decade ago.

In 2011, BioWare released Star Wars: The Old Republic, an MMO set in the same universe as the beloved Knights of the Old Republic RPG. This marked BioWare’s first foray into large-scale multiplayer gaming, and although it had its flaws, the writing and voice acting received widespread acclaim. In 2023, EA shifted BioWare away from developing The Old Republic, handing over future updates to Broadsword, the studio known for managing Ultima Online. Despite the studio’s closure, The Old Republic remains a part of BioWare’s legacy, continuing to thrive.

However, BioWare’s farewell did not acknowledge SWTOR, which seemed to disappoint the MMO’s lead writer, Caitlin Sullivan Kelly. She expressed her feelings on Twitter, stating, “No mention of the game that’s been going for almost fifteen years, that supported the studio and all of its projects with income and manpower and time sometimes to our own detriment. Heartbreaking.”

In response to a fan who shared their sadness over the studio’s fate while still enjoying the MMORPG, Kelly reflected on her journey, noting that Dragon Age: Origins inspired her to pursue a career in game development. Previously a BioWare employee, she transitioned to Broadsword to continue her work on the Star Wars MMO.

“I started playing Star Wars: The Old Republic because it was a BioWare game,” Kelly shared. “I can’t help but feel sad that the studio a lot of us loved, even before we worked there, leaves us out of the history book.”

Meanwhile, KOTOR director and Mass Effect co-creator Casey Hudson is developing a new spiritual successor to the Knights of the Old Republic series, though that project is still a few years away from release.