Star Wars: The Old Republic gets a trilogy of releases

As Star Wars: The Old Republic nears its long-awaited release, the massively multiplayer online game is starting to hit some familiar prelaunch milestones. Today, that milestone is the rolling out of a preorder campaign and announcement of premium release bundles.

The Old Republic will be available in standard and premium editions for both retail and downloadable stores. While the boxed copies of the game can be purchased from numerous retailers, both digital versions of The Old Republic will be exclusive to Electronic Arts' own Origin downloadable storefront.

The beefiest of the bundles will be the $150 retail Collector's Edition. That box will pack in a Gentle Giant-produced Darth Malgus statue, galaxy map, music CD, a "custom security authentication key," and a journal adding to the game's fiction, as well as eight in-game items. The premium downloadable version of the game is the $80 Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes six of the eight in-game items in the Collector's Edition.

Those who preorder the $60 standard edition of the game (available as a download or boxed copy) won't be walking away entirely empty handed. All preorders will receive early access to the game, 30 days of game time, and an in-game color stone that will let players change the hue of their lightsabers and/or blaster bolts.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is set to be released later this year. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.