BioWare Enlists The Aid Of ILM For Dramatic New SWTOR Trailer For Today's Expansion Launch

Star Wars: The Old Republic's Legacy of the Sith expansion launches today, and BioWare's got a special treat for players to go along with it. It's enlisted the help of Industrial Light and Magic -- the famed special effects company founded by George Lucas -- to create a new cinematic trailer with more story and action that you can shake a lightsaber at.

Titled "Disorder," the trailer follows the path of a twi'lek Jedi padawan who is separated from her brother at a young age and follows her master on a mission to destroy a mysterious machine. They're confronted by uber-baddie Darth Malgus, who ... well, I'll let you watch it, so as not to spoil the ending.

I'll say this, at least: It is an outstanding trailer. When I saw the first zoomed-in shot of the padawan, I thought it was a real actor at first, but even without that illusion, it's looks fantastic and has a great story arc. It's almost good enough to make you forget that, after seeing a fantastic cut scene like this in game, you'll be tasked with multiple "Kill 10 womp rats" quests before you get to see the next one.

The Legacy of the Sith expansion will go live later today, adding five levels to the cap and continuing the story of the the war between the Republic and the Sith, while also inserting the villainous Darth Malgus and his mysterious plans into the picture. It implements the new combat styles system and a return to the planet of Manaan, which will let you unlock a new base of operations for your faction, and a journey to Elom and the ruined Sith fortress found within. Take on that challenge alone or with party members in a flashpoint, and there's also an operation set aboard a deep space station.

Learn more about the Legacy of the Sith expansion on the SWTOR site.