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Re: Can SWTOR come on console

Sorry to disappoint you, but the chance of SWTOR coming to consoles is extremely low.

BioWare would have to port the game over to the OS architecture of each console separately, which is an enormous effort, especially since SWTOR runs on a modified pre-release version of the heroengine.

In addition to that, they would have to restructure the way the game utilizes hardware resources, more specifically, split the current single thread into four to more efficiently use the quad-core AMD APUs the current-gen consoles use, as these APUs have a pretty weak single-core performance and would make playing PVP and Operations virtually impossible.

Also, while it may not be impossible, it will be really hard to make the interface work with console controllers, as their pointing accuracy and number of buttons are undeniably inferior to a mouse and keyboard. (You have 84 quickbar slots in total and most of the keyboard keys are assigned to individual windows. The only ecxeptions here are Space PVE and PVP, which may even work better with a controller than a mouse+keyboard.

In the end it would probably be easier to rebuild the game from scratch with a new engine and with both PC and consoles in mind. The original game (Patch version 1.0) cost over 200M$ to develop (Which makes it the most expensive game ever made excluding marketing cost), so that's just as unlikely to happen in the near future.

6 Replies

TheFinalGetsuga
Seasoned Newcomer
8 years ago
I agree that it would be a lot of work, however, i was a massive fan of swtor back in the days of TAB targeting, but i thinl times have moved on and people are more action orientated. With the release of Battlefront 2 I would love to see a complete redesign of swtor for combat in the style of battlefront 2, that would be mint. I know it'd be expensive and time consuming but i think its an investment worth doing as a lot of people love the old lore of the republic and the old sith etc.

Thoughts and ideas on the concept??
Anonymous
8 years ago
Approved
Look guys, while it would be amazing to play this game on console, it's literrally impossible. I use non less than 46 buttons to play, It's a brains suicide to try to do that.

It's EA's job to get XBOX games on PC actually, it would be easier... But for as long as people will buy consoles, they won't.
Nitr0gene
8 years ago
Actually, the PS4 has support for usb keyboard and mouse, so translating the controls isn't the issue. They would just have to modify the processing infrastructure, to conform to the console.
He-of-13
7 years ago
As far as interface goes you could probably use the same type of interface final fantasy 14 uses
Ghaleon6270
5 years ago
@cheaterll Well that sucks but hey, it just a thought & you never know in the future it could happen with all the new technology that we have been developing and you never know it could happen with all the new technology that just came out
danzig42
4 years ago
I wish Bioware and Bethesda were Synonymous companies again. Alas Bioware is owned by EA who killed Mythic and Warhammer Online. This game COULD be brought to XBOX easily... the API's to PORT this game are already written. Written By Bethesda.. The Hero Engine is the base engine for Elder Scrolls Online and This game is written on the Same Hero Engine.
I'd say the Biggest barrier for this game not coming to at least XBOX console is EA. Sadly... and We all know there Corp Decision on Anthem.... This is a classic Terry Myerson situation. You have talented Creative people under the thumb of a Penny Pinching Myser... Pun intended.. Once Terry was removed and Phil and Company were given the Reigns to create and do what they really needed and wanted to do.... Well you get ESO which is basically the same game just a different skin... Hell Even ESO gave there main characters companions...
Hate to Burst your Bubble but I've played your precious OMG I'm PC and need too many buttons... Game ON a GAME CONTROLLER and prefer it that way.... There IS a way to map every single button... Comfortably
So the EXCUSES of too many buttons and omg Porting.... are laughable. Hell pay me a few Million I'll Port it over No Problem in less than a year.