The in-game store known as the Cartel Market can be found within Star Wars: The Old Republic, a video game published by BioWare. This feature was initially announced in October of 2012 and was subsequently implemented into the game through Game Update 1.5 on November 15 of the same year, coinciding with the introduction of a Free-to-Play option for the game.
Within the Cartel Market, players have the ability to procure a variety of customization options, cosmetic gear, abilities, and items by utilizing Cartel Coins, the game's virtual currency. Cartel Packs represent the primary source of fresh content, functioning as lootcrate-style collections of cosmetic items drawn from the Pack's available pool. These packs encompass a range of items, including new weapons, mounts, companion customizations, emotes, gear inspired by characters from Legends, and decorations intended for player Strongholds. Cartel Packs are organized into Shipments, with a total of 10 Shipments released thus far, generally coinciding with the game's major updates. Before Shipment 8, each shipment contained 5 Cartel Packs, with the initial pair being launched concurrently.
Furthermore, two supplementary pack sets, specifically the Nightlife and Dark vs Light packs, have been made available, and the game features a weekly sale showcasing a rotating selection of items. The Cartel Bazaar, a location situated on each faction's primary space station, serves as an in-game counterpart to the Market, offering access to Reputation vendors, trade terminals, and various event-related content.
- Shipment One: Cartel Packs — launched in Patch 1.5
- Shipment Two: Contraband Packs — introduced in Patch 1.7.2, also introducing Reputation vendors
- Shipment Three: Bounty Packs — implemented in Patch 2.3.1, with themes related to the Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion
- Shipment Four: Starfighter Packs — implemented in Patch 2.5.2, with themes related to the Galactic Starfighter expansion
- Nightlife Packs — implemented in Patch 2.8: Spoils of War, consisting of the Club Vertica and Star Cluster packs
- Shipment Five: Stronghold Packs — implemented in Patch 2.9, with themes related to the Galactic Strongholds expansion
- Shipment Six: Shadow Packs — implemented in Patch 3.0, with themes related to the Shadow of Revan expansion
- Shipment Seven: Explorer Packs — implemented in Patch 3.2
- Shipment Eight: Alliance Packs — the initial three packs were launched alongside Patch 4.0, with subsequent packs released alongside each chapter of the Knights of the Fallen Empire expansion.
- Dark vs Light Packs
- Shipment Nine: Command Packs — comprised of eight Cartel Packs, launched between Patches 5.0.1 and 5.4.0
- Shipment Ten: United Force Packs — comprised of four Cartel Packs, launched starting with Patch 5.5.0