LucasArts will still be involved with the game to maintain the Star Wars theme.

BioWare just announced that the publishing duties for Stars Wars: The Old republic are shifting from LucasArts to Electronic Arts. According to the press release, this is being done "so that all publishing, marketing and distribution responsibilities can be centralised for efficiency."

So what does this mean for fans who are eagerly awaiting the release of the game? Honestly, not much aside from possible customer service improvements. Joystiq had the chance to speak with BioWare co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka at an EA Games showcase event in San Francisco last night, and here's what he had to say:

"There's not going to be any obvious change for gamers. It makes things easier for us to have everything under one roof, and that will eventually benefit players."

Muzyka also told Joystiq that LucasArts will still be "very involved" in making sure the upcoming MMO maintains that Star Wars feel. You can read the press release after the jump.

Press release:

Guildford, UK. – November 11, 2010 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Lucasfilm Ltd, announced today an updated global publishing agreement for the highly anticipated massively multiplayer online videogame Star Wars: The Old Republic. With this new agreement, certain publishing, marketing and distribution responsibilities previously designated to LucasArts will shift to EA, so that all publishing, marketing and distribution responsibilities can be centralised for efficiency. Lucasfilm will continue serving as a key partner, collaborating on design and marketing, and as a licensor of the property. Star Wars: The Old Republic is designed to redefine the MMO category by introducing BioWare's signature storytelling and rich, emotional human performances to the genre. Financial terms were not disclosed.