The Old Republic lead designer spills beans on free-to-play [Update]

[Update: Game has pulled the article, probably at the behest of LucasArts.]

Star Wars: The Old Republic lead designer Emmanuel Lusinchi has broached a sensitive subject with BioWare: the possibility of the MMO going free-to-play. This came in an interview in an upcoming issue of the UK videogames mag Games which is being released on the 5th July.

This was mentioned when asked about the affect of losing over 400,000 subscribers earlier 2012 and dealing with competition from other free-to-play MMOs.

According to Lusinchi, “I think it’s more than the free-to-play model – it’s more that there is a lot of competitive offers. If it was just free-to-play games and they weren’t very good it wouldn’t even be a question but there are definitely good games out there and good games coming out, so of course all of this competition impacts your plan with what you want to do.”

Lusinchi then noted that free-to-play for The Old Republic was an option, using the idea of being ”dynamic”.

“The MMO market is very dynamic and we need to be dynamic as well. Unless people are happy with what they have, they are constantly demanding updates, new modes and situations. So we are looking at free-to-play but I can’t tell you in much detail. We have to be flexible and adapt to what is going on,” he admitted.

LucasArts has been reached for comment; an official statement will be coming soon.