BioWare have today confirmed that their massively multiplayer title set in the Star Wars universe, Star Wars: The Old Republic, will be released in New Zealand’s autumn, 2011.

The confirmation comes on the back of rumours kindled by EA CEO John Riccitiello’s comments yesterday.

In addition to confirming the game’s projected release schedule, BioWare has also announced that beta testing will begin this year. Interested players should visit the game’s beta sign-up page.

Set thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader – and 300 years after BioWare’s RPG blockbuster, Knights of the Old Republic – Star Wars: The Old Republic casts players as a member of either the Sith Empire or the Galactic Republic as the two factions collide in a galaxy-wide war.

For more information, visit the game’s official website.