Alongside the update comes an offer for returning users to play one month for free. This is so you can sample the new faction ruckus.
What does all this mean? Well, players can join pledge allegiance to either the Galactic Empire or Rebel Forces and then take try to take over planets. Rewards are given for those who join in, either on the offence or defence, and can be redeemed for loot.
Returning players can get their Star Wars life back on track from February 1st until March 1st all for nothing, with account reactivation automatic - so just login. LucasArts of course has BioWare working on Star Wars The Old Republic MMO, which is due in spring 2011.
Here’s the official blurb on the new ‘Forces Under Siege’ update, thanks Shacknews.
New Gameplay
■ Cities will display Imperial or Rebel banners and faction-specific NPCs, quests, terminals and pylons depending on which faction is in control.
■ Added support for Factional Mercenaries. Neutral players can align themselves with either faction to participate in city conflicts and earn rewards.
■ Mayors of player cities are able to set their city’s factional alignment from the management terminal.
■ Fight battles within newly implemented Planetary Regions to determine which faction controls a planet.
New Interactive Structures
■ Defend cities by manning barricades and building defensive turrets.
■ Assault enemy cities and take out defense structures and key enemy personnel with the might of AT-AT or Hailfire missile attacks.
All New Profession-Based Quests
■ Contribute to the battle with profession-specific quests that let players bolster defending or invading forces.
■ Improve and repair defensive structures, revive fallen soldiers, heal fatigue, entertain demoralized troops, slice terminals, scout and sabotage patrol points, and more.
Epic New Rewards
■ Battle-specific quests such as manning barricades, building turrets and treating wounded soldiers, now grant tokens that can be cashed in for new rewards, including: faction-specific clothing including capes, cloaks and battle-scarred armor; Entertainer glow sticks; bombing-run binoculars; an upgraded personal shield generator and multiple new weapons