Star Wars: The Old Republic is preparing Game Update 8.0, titled Masters of the Force, which will add adjustable overworld difficulty and new “Ventures” characters intended to recreate a more demanding, classic-style levelling experience. The changes matter because they give both returning and new players more control over how challenging the long-running MMO feels, while encouraging fresh playthroughs with distinct progression and rewards.

Players will be able to choose Story, Veteran or Master difficulty in the open world, while Classic and Expert Ventures require new characters and offer tailored goals and rewards. The update also introduces the Galaxy in Chaos storyline, the planet Ryloth, an eight-player operation with three bosses, a level-cap rise from 80 to 85, new abilities, revised gearing and other quality-of-life changes; the operation will initially support Story and Veteran modes, with Master mode following later.