Star Wars marks years according to when the Rebels blew up the first Death Star. Anything that happened before is designated as BBY, Before the Battle of Yavin. ABY is anything after. But while we know the franchise’s latest installment, Ahsoka, takes place in roughly 10 ABY, galactic years are not the only way to keep track of time in the galaxy far, far away. There are also distinct time periods. Now, with so many shows set during different ones, Star Wars has given us an updated account of all its eras, each with an official logo.
While this list will help every viewer know what stories define what eras, Knights of the Old Republic video game fans will have some questions… and probably some complaints.
Star Wars has provided a new classifications of nine distinct eras “defined along a mythological timeline giving context to its past, present, and future.” Most of these take place in a condensed century of events featuring the Skywalker family, but the list covers tens of thousands of years in total. The eras include:
- Dawn of the Jedi
- The Old Republic
- The High Republic
- Fall of the Jedi
- Reign of the Empire
- Age of Rebellion
- The New Republic
- Rise of the First Order
- New Jedi Order
If anyone was unsure where the Old Republic sits in history relative to the High Republic, this list clarifies that. The Old Republic is far, far back in the galaxy’s past. (Before the Outer Rims became a problem for everyone.) But that era’s official stories does not include the Knights of the Old Republic video games, even though other eras include some games set during their time periods. For example, Vader Immortal is officially part of the Reign of the Empire.
Does that mean Knights of the Old Republic games are not canon? Or simply that this list only covers what Lucasfilm deems the most important chapters in each era’s story? Anytime Star Wars provides answers we walk away with all new questions. And that’s true of any year in any time period.