Further confirmation of the rumored microtransaction-based fee structure for SWTOR was recently posted on Electronic Arts' careers page.  In the listing for the Customer Service Director position at Bioware Austin, one of the key qualifications is to have "online gaming with micro transaction experise."  It looks like this is just more proof that the upcoming Star Wars MMO will be at least partially microtransaction-based.  It remains to be seen what the fee structure for this highly anticipated game will be and whether it will be fully or just partially microtransaction-based, but as a major Star Wars geek, I still can't wait to play it.

Ryan discussed the possibility of EA's upcoming MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic being microtransaction-based in his 1-900-THE-FRCE article posted back in December.  Here are the key points from his writeup:

According to EA CEO John Riccitiello, the Old Republic publisher is considering a microtransaction-based model for the upcoming Star Wars MMO, though no further specifics were given. Based on what I've seen of The Old Republic's colorful, somewhat cartoony art style, I've had a sneaking suspicion that they were going more casual than the usual MMO, and an incremental pricing model like this would support such a theory. EA PR has since chalked up these quotes as a “misunderstanding,” though I'm not sure how one misinterprets a quote like this.

Other initiatives we've announced, for example [the] Star Wars online MMO, are mid-session games which are microtransaction-based. You'll be hearing more about those in the February [conference] call.

Micro-transactions are the way forward. Free games, and I can donate to the cause if and when I like. Same as iPhone games, they're so cheap you buy them by the bucketload. Big releases on disc will be dwindled down to high-quality games as more devs move into the downloadable/free game space.

You'll see. You'll all see!

Eh, I don't like microtransfucktions, especially when they are rented, and I don't know if the weapon I'm buying is as totally pwn as I think it is... I don't know, I like paying up front then playing around. It's like getting a swingset, but then you have to pay for each swing.

I'm probably going to be OK with it either way as long as EA doesn't make the pricing too ridiculous...which they are quite likely to do, I guess.  We'll see.

I won't have a problem with this if they are mostly for cosmetic features etc. Buy a lightsaber, gun, clothes, xp-boost...as long as I don't have to pay for anything that is needed to advance through the story I'll be happy. I really hope they deliver on giving us a great story in an MMO.

I don't like Micro Transactions, they break the MMO economy. Once you're in the MMO, the chances *Ishould* be equal for who has the best gear etc. You should earn gear and other exclusives with in game rewards or money. Though if it made the rest of the game free (No subscription), suppose its a fair sacrifice. However, buying good guns in real money is not the way you should be going in games.

Micro Transactions are the only way I'll play another MMO besides WoW. I'm not about to subscribe to another MMO for $14.95 a month, and I won't leave WoW for another MMO after having spent 4 years with a social group playing WoW. Micro Transactions give me the option to play another MMO, and probably sink more money into it if it offers faster XP for $2 for 48 hours or similar, I'll pay that and grind up faster, whilst maintaining my WoW sub.

If that means the game is free then I'm all for it.

Why are the graphics for SWTOR *worse* than KOTOR II?  Absolutely horrible and disappointing

I think the graphics look fine.  I don't know, I'm more concerned with how fun the game is going to be.  It's still up in the air at this point.

I'm not a fan of microtransaction, it separates the user base.

Fuck this game i want KOTOR 3. Actually i just want ME2.

Thought this was worth a bump since there was another thread talking about pricing today.

Bummer, players having an advantage because they have money rather than skill = fail.

"I'm probably going to be OK with it either way as long as EA doesn't make the pricing too ridiculous...which they are quite likely to do, I guess.  We'll see."