[2020] Happy 9th anniversary to SWTOR!

Hello everyone!

Today marks SWTORs 9th anniversary! Since SWTOR launched on December 20th, 2011, each year has brought new memories and accomplishments to players and devs alike. And this year will certainly be one that stands out for everyone. As we continue through our 9th year, we would love to hear from you, our community, on what you are most proud of and/or grateful for whether that be in-game or IRL.

Im happy to start this train! I feel very fortunate for having the opportunity to join this wonderful team! I had no idea how this year would turn out, but I made it here and I am going to make the absolute best of it. I am over the moon, and very much looking forward to what all of us can create together in the coming year. On a more personal note, I managed to cook my very first turkey this past holiday on my own without burning down my kitchen, so I have that going for me as well.

Looking back at 2020, makes me ask myself how did we make it through the year? But, we all did it!

Despite the worldwide situation, this year has been a great year for me. Joining the SWTOR family and building relationships with players during this particular year was a great and challenging adventure for me. I want to thank the SWTOR team and the community for their support.

On a personal note, I've started running on a daily basis and I'm now able to run 5k every day. Funny thing, I hated running before.

I'm looking forward to seeing what next year brings!

-Natha, Associate Community Manager

Nine years is an incredible run for any game, but to see SWTOR still delivering original Star Wars stories set in the Old Republic era the entire time is truly something special. It takes a passionate team, incredible players and fans, and support from too many people to name to accomplish such a feat.

Ive enjoyed so many lasting memories through the years as both a player and a developer: The Orange Pixel (RIP), double Kephess, light sword in box, dance parties on the fleet, walker parades...the list goes on and on. Some say theres even an NPC golfing somewhere on every planet. Who can say?

And yet, after all of these years, we find ourselves looking forward still. There are so many more stories to tell...so many more experiences we want to deliver and share with the community. What could be next? We dream big in Texas, so buckle up yall!

This year has certainly had its challenges! Adjusting to working from home during a global pandemic and becoming a dad. You know, I wanted to keep things light this year

2020 has been an incredible journey and I am so proud to be a part of a team that gets to deliver amazing Star Wars content to players year after year. Its incredible to think we are only one year away from a decade!

Another one in the bag and I am so excited to continue to be a part of this awesome community for many more years to come.

-eric

Hi all, I'm Caitlin! For me--and probably a lot of other people, too--2020 felt a lot like the movie Groundhog Day. Id wake up every morning feeling almost exactly like I did the day before.

But, with everything going on in the world, including going almost a year without seeing my friends and family in person, working on SWTOR was one consistent bright spot I had to look forward to. Talking with the team about all the exciting things we had planned and seeing our amazing communitys reception of that content got me through a lot. I LOVED everyone's reactions to the All Worlds Ultimate Swoop Rally, which was my first major writing contribution to SWTOR! Seeing so many players enjoy the Echoes of Oblivion story meant so much as well.

With another year in the books for SWTOR, and an end to the not-so-great 2020, I'm so looking forward to sharing more with you all!

SWTOR has always held a special place in my heart. My career in games began as a contract cinematic designer in the final year before launch, and I was sad that I had to continue my dev journey elsewhere. But finally this year, returning to SWTOR - to this team, these characters, and this universe - feels like coming home.

I love seeing so much camaraderie and positivity in the SWTOR community, especially after nine years! There is so much incredible art, writing, personal stories, and self discovery that have come from this community. I'm humbled that we can inspire players to create their own Star Wars sagas.

As tumultuous as 2020 has been, I'm so thrilled to be back making cinematics in SWTOR again! I was especially excited to create more bombastic Emperor scenes. I love watching streamers gasp, laugh, and cry as they experience our stories. If we touched your hearts, if we made you feel like heroes, then we're doing it right.

Ill add my Happy Holidays to everyone, too. Im humbled by all the great comments here, on Steam, in our recent Cantina Livestream, and truly by all the amazing folks who both play and develop our game. Its hard to believe so much time has passed, but I watch in awe as my grandkids play this game now, too. Its so fun!

I have a ton of memories and this year is no different. Almost a full decade and so much has changed, but a lot hasnt (no, Im not talking about the bug you reported 5 years ago). We have some major plans for our 10th year. I almost cant wait to start telling you whats up, when youll get involved, along with some really cool underlying changes I think yall will appreciate.

Stay healthy. Be Safe. Enjoy the 2020 Holiday Season and well see you throughout 2021.

--Keith---

Hi everyone! I'm Phred and I hope the new year is already treating you great! Nine years--what a ride! In nine years, never have I felt more like Luke than I did these last 11 monthsperpetually stuck on the farm cleaning up new droids while ALL I wanted to do was go to Tosche Station. Thats pretty much all of us right now, amirite??!!

In all seriousness, despite how surreal our situation has been over the last few months, Ive watched our team meet unexpected challenges, excitement undiminished, and fly at them full Steam ahead (see what I did there? Do we still say see what I did there?)

Navigating working from home has been a whole new bowl of paddy frogs for our team, especially when were such a close-knit family that thrives on social creativity, but our love of the game, the drive to create, and our excitement for what lies ahead has fueled us.

Ive worn a lot of hats at BioWare Austin since 2011. I started in QA, moved into Tools QA soon after, and eventually had an opportunity to become a dedicated part of the Cartel Market team. In March of last year, I was excited to make another move, this time into the art department. Changing work roles on SWTOR was a dream come true. One thing that never changed in all my different roles though was seeing each team brimming with passion to deliver the next, exciting thing for the players.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of working on this project is seeing the community grow and evolve, yet remain a powerful support base for this far away galaxy. Simply put, the SWTOR player fam is the cream of the crop and I couldnt be more proud of being a part of it. Keep on, keepin on everyone. I cannot wait for the time we can all raise a glass at a Cantina again and celebrate our love for all things Star Wars! Happy anniversary, everyone!

Please keep posts here on topic. In general, when we have official correspondence we can share with the community, we definitely will.