Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 2.1 hit live servers today, bringing in a handful of customization features to players including the Cathar; a new playable race!

Rise of the Hutt Cartel is live and SWTOR players are enjoying its sweeping story centered upon the hugely important planet of Makeb. I played it and thoroughly enjoyed it and so did our Senior Contributing Editor Gareth "Gazimoff" Harmer.

It’s been a long time. Like many others I dove head-first into Star Wars: The Old Republic, gorging myself on the superb storytelling and fantastic voice acting. After hitting level cap I was hungry for more, with the ‘Interlude’ splash-screen promising just that. But while further content updates have added new areas such as Section X and new quests like those for HK-51, the central storyline has been paused.

That wait is now over, with Rise of the Hutt Cartel being the first digital expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic. With all-new voice acting and a new planet to explore, it’s a compelling reminder of everything that’s fantastic about BioWare’s MMO. Throw in a raised level cap, new endgame Operation and new achievement system, and there’s a lot to be excited about.

The official launch of Rise of the Hutt Cartel can now be confirmed as April 14. Well, actually April 9 for all those plucky Star Wars: The Old Republic players who qualify for head start.

Last week, I traveled to Austin, Texas to take part in a special press event at the BioWare studio that breathes life into SWTOR. The event focused on Update 2.0 (currently on the game’s public test servers) and, more specifically, the new expansion. For those who are unaware of what Rise of the Hutt Cartel entails, take a look at the video below to get a clearer idea.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is just a couple of weeks away from head start for Rise of the Hutt Cartel, its first expansion and most important update since going free-to-play in November. With those who qualify able to play the expansion from April 9 (April 14 is the release date for non-qualifying players), I sat down with Bruce Maclean, Producer of SWTOR, to talk about the new content as its launch approaches.

Earlier this week the team behind Star Wars: The Old Republic announced a simple, yet significant change to how users will be able to log in to their accounts. Instead of using your associated Email address to log into the game or their official website, players will soon be asked to use their Display Name instead.The change will be fully implemented on April 2nd, however players can begin using their Display Names to log in to the game and website immediately if they choose to do so.

Good news everyone! 

Wait. That's the wrong space meme. 

I sense a disturbance in the Force. 

There we go, that's more like it!

News of the next content update for Star Wars: The Old Republic has been traveling around the galaxy for some time, and we now have word that Game Update 1.7: Return of the Gree will be landing at the spaceport this Tuesday.

UPDATE: For a sneak peek of what will be unleashed on February 12, check out the new official video below.