Star Wars: The Old Republic expansion ‘Galactic Strongholds’ announced

BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic is getting a new free-to-play digital expansion this summer. It's called Galactic Strongholds, and as the name suggests, it allows you to expand your influence by acquiring and customizing personal houses, called Strongholds.

"In Galactic Strongholds, players can live on multiple planets and customize their prestigious apartments," BioWare explains. "Players can live in the heart of their faction's capital world, live in style among the high-rollers of Nar Shaddaa, or even both by owning multiple Strongholds."

Hundreds of unique housing decorations will be available to express your style, as well as to boost your Prestige score in the Stronghold Directory. Friends can also be invited to your stronghold from any in-game location.

At launch, Guilds will also be able to create powerful Guild Flagships where members can "meet, plan, and strategize for their next adventures."

Celebrating today's announcement, BioWare is offering some free in-game goodies to subscribers of the paid option of SWTOR. Depending on when you subscribe, you can net the following in-game items as well as early access to the expansion:

Subscribers as of April 2nd will receive:

• 500 Bonus Cartel Coins

Subscribers as of May 4th will receive:

• 1,000 Bonus Cartel Coins

Subscribers as of May 11th will receive:

• Early Access to Galactic Strongholds on June 24
• Luxurious Nar Shaddaa Stronghold with three additional rooms unlocked (Value: 1,500,000 Credits)
• Stronghold Label: "Galactic Stronghold"
• Character Title: "The Illustrious"

Subscribers beginning June 24th will receive:

• Early Access to Galactic Strongholds on June 24
• Luxurious Nar Shaddaa Stronghold Unlocked (Value: 250,000 Credits)
• Stronghold Label: "Galactic Stronghold"
• Character Title: "The Illustrious"

Preferred Status Players beginning July 29 will receive:

• Early Access to Galactic Strongholds on July 29
• Stronghold Label: "Galactic Stronghold"
• Character Title: "The Illustrious"