Good news for Jedi achievement junkies. BioWare has confirmed Star Wars: The Old Republic will include unlockable achievements from day one, with further virtual performance awards set to arrive as the MMO evolves.

The feature was revealed during an after-hours meet and greet between BioWare reps and Star Wars: The Old Republic fans at Eurogamer Expo 2011. When asked by a reporter from Darth Hater to verify reports that achievements would not be included with the game, lead writer Daniel Erickson explained:

“Not correct. Achievements have made ship, in fact. They're not going to be the achievements, the crazy achievements that you have to place everywhere that are like, 'Hey if you drink six beers and fart in a cantina' - those are not going the achievements to go in. Version one of the achievement system (will) go in - which is actually doing big, heroic stuff - because there's a ton of great optional content in The Old Republic, like, 'Hey, I went to every world and kicked the world boss's ass.' Those kinds of achievements. That's going to be the level one system.”

Erickson added future achievements will reward repeat visits and some of the more traditional tasks, noting, “People need reasons to go back to planets and run around and do that other stuff, so that will come second.”

Not everyone is motivated by make-believe points and badges, but for some achievements are an incentive to branch out and experience parts of the game they would have never considered. Let us know if you'll be gunning after intergalactic bragging rights when Star Wars: The Old Republic launches December 20th in North America, and December 22th in Europe.

Sep 28, 2011