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By now you all know that Star Wars Galaxies will be switched off in the coming months, but what you might not know is that it was destined to be turned off in 2012 according to their current contract. Also, the game has already had its "end date" extended twice, far beyond the original planned five year license.
"A lot of people don't know about this because we don't talk about it, but we've already extended the game end a couple of times. When we originally approached LucasArts back in 2001 for the original license, we planned it to be a five year window for the game. And that seemed like a hell of a long time! This was back in the early days of EverQuest with had only been out for just over a year, so we didn't know about the shelf life of these things."
Smedley cited business reasons, the way the product had performed, and the fact that Star Wars: The Old Republic is on the way soon from EA as contibuting to the decision to end the title. While he admits that SWTOR is being created by a talented team, they'll need "At least two million subscribers at launch to support that game. I know how much it cost to make that title, and that's what they need."
But Smedley was still shocked by the actual death knell for the game. "That really hurt," Smedley said soberly, "We had a dedicated group of people working on that thing, and it will be really sad to see it go." But he added that the game will "Go out with a bang" as they have big plans for the end of Galaxies. As for why they didn't hold the announcement of the closure until after Fan Faire, Smedley said "That would have been a dick move." He feels that pain just as much as the fans do.
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Comments
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dylanthehutt
This game died the day people found out how to become a Jedi....
Aephor
Star Wars Galaxies died a long time ago. This is just them now putting it out of it's misery. Started off as a great and wonderful addition to the Star Wars universe until everything was just "Lol Jedi" and "Easy Mode". Great game, effed by blizzard-style game-changing, done in a poor way. Looking forward to TOR.
InnerRise
Star Wars sucks anyway.
Nerdi_Master
I only hope EA doesn't pull the crap with The Sims 3 where if you install the game anywhere but the C drive where windows operates you can't install any expansions. I bought one of the expansions but kept getting errors every time I tried to install it. Called EA to ask and they told me it's because I installed it in a partition away from Windows. The core game works fine though. I have my drive partitioned with Windows separate and backed up with Norton Ghost so I can keep viruses and whatnot from getting into the rest of my stuff.
malboljner29
For me, the game died the day NGE came out. IoR tried to play after that, but it sorely lacked. I was less than two weeks away from finishing the Jedi line when the changes came. After that, with any and everyone able to make a Jedi, I couldn't go on. Switched to WoW, now I am about done with that as well. I am so waiting for SW:TOR!
Covertleader
FIRSTIES!
Wingweaver415
Im glad this game is ending. I should have ended 6 years ago. It technically never left beta, they changed the combat system 3 times. From RPG to Over the should shooter. It sucked. Community Relations Sucked. They had no idea how to design a game. Jump to lightspeed was the only good thing to come out of that series. Ill probably log in to check out my city and watch the endings but ill be glad when this game is off the net.
Wingweaver415
This game seriously sucked. Im glad its ending as that game should have ended back in 2005. It never technically left Beta, within 2 years the entire game changed from RPG to over the shoulder shooter. Only good thing about it was Jump to Lightspeed. Ill probably log in to see my city and character and watch the fireworks of it ending, but ill be glad when this game is off the net.
linkfan57
Seeing the end of an MMO is like seeing the end of a TV series I don't watch. I don't know what's going on but I always want to cry because I'll never be able to experience a 'new' episode.
xXAngelicEvilXx
I wish they would stop saying that ToR is coming from EA, as that makes me want to buy the game less and less.
As I understood it, I thought EA was doing the marketing, while Bioware itself was developing it. Is that not true? While I understand that EA should get some credit, for marketing [or more, if they are in fact doing more], the name EA is synonymous with P.O.S. titles, lack of regard and respect for customers, and the most appalling customer service on the face of this planet.
Bioware is developing it, so at the least, include Bioware's name in this and do try to leave EA out of it. Everytime I see EA, I feeling like flying to Redwood City, CA and punching a bunch of EA employees in the face.
But by all means, if EA does play more of a part than marketing, feel free to correct me on anything I may have wrong.
reagan_smash
I LOVED Star Wars Galaxies. Its talent tree system was easily the best of any MMO I've played (probably any game I've played, period). The open sandbox-style worlds were fantastic too, and the player-made cities always used to be awesome. I have no idea what possessed SOE to throw all that away by pointlessly revamping the game. Saddest day in the history of video games.
crocodilius
@Obi, seriously kid quit raging. ANY free month(s) in an MMO are rare and they're giving 3 of them? (it took a disaster for DCUO to give 1)
Obviously the truth is giving you teary eyes, but it's just a game and not a very popular one from what I can see. More people cry over WoW patches and changes than have EVER played SWG.
You must know this Smedley pretty well to call 'em a liar. I don't and I don't enjoy speculating, but son, you just found out this is a BUSINESS the hard way.
Lucus4u
SWG was my first MMO ever and it will be missed. However there is still a bright side. I have downloaded the SWG emulator and it plays just like the preCU version. Its still progressing as its free to play and gets worked on and updated fairly regularly. I love it tho and for it to be free and PreCU, you can't beat it. All you have to do is have the game installed on your computer then d/l the Emu software and your in! Give it a search and see for yourself, im glad I did.
Hibbs The Beast
Why did any of you play this if you hate the bureaucracy behind it? There are so, so many other things to do in this world that upset you less. I hear Milton Bradley was a straight guy, maybe his games fancy you more.
Hibbs The Beast
Why the Hell did any of you play this if you hate the bureaucracy behind it? There are like 100,000,000,000 other things to do and rip at its flaws at the same time.
obibobkenobi
@Croc
Before shooting off your mouth learn to comprehend what you read. Never did I "rage" or blame SOE.LA and SOE are both at fault. NOR did I say that SOE should make it permanently F2P. What I said was and I quote "If he was truly as hurt as the fans the least they could do is make it F2P for it's remainder." Meaning for AS LONG AS THE GAME IS LIVE AND THE CONTRACT HAS NOT RUN OUT; SOE should make the game free to play.
To rebute your other wrong argument; SOE has stated if you are an active subscriber in good standing as of September 15, 2011, then you can play for free for the final months. Players[..]will need to re-activate or join the game on or before September 15th. No new or reactivated accounts will be accepted after September 15, 2011. Meaning you have to have paid up to Sept 15th in order to play for free OCT, NOV, DEC. The announcement was made in June. Even you can see that point now. (in case you can't it's an extra 3 months which equals $45+)
Also since you fail to comprehend (which I think I have made clear you do) what my post was all about is that John Smedley is a proven liar and has no respect for the SWG community. All his talk about extending the life of the game is crap. He is doing this as damage control to save face for SOE who has proven time and time again they do not care about their customers.
Hows that for homework? Go back to your moms basement.
SWGRules
Smedley can't be trusted we all know this. NGE proved it a long time ago and if he is so heartbroken about closing SWG then why is he avoiding the players? SOE and LucasArts both have done nothing but ignore every question we asked. How is that good business and caring for your customers? Look out TOR fans because if you survive and get involved with the game then take the way LA is treating SWG by heart because you will be next.
crocodilius
@obi, LucasArts owns the Star Wars property and leases it to SONY. If LucasArts doesn't renew the contract SONY can't use the Star Wars property. Thus, no free to play.
Also, the last few months of SWG WILL be free (though i don't remember the conditions, probably existing player base as such-and-such a time).
I've never played the game and only read news on it and I know this much, so do your homework before raging.
Nykara
LA is dreaming. Most of those annoyed at SWG's shut down aren't subbing to TOR, certainly not at first. I know I am not - I refuse to help TOR get the start up it 'needs' to be successful when they were close minded enough to shut down SWG for it. I would have played both - now I wont be playing either. I will continue to support SOE with my station access and play games that I haven't played yet instead that should keep me busy for a long time.
Cryptomaster420
not to mention SOE has completely gone down hill i bought a station cash card 5 days ago now it was $15 i go to enter the code which i inputed case sensitvaly i kept getting code not valid i call SOE they redirected me to a phone number for more support i get this message "we are sorry the number you dialed is no longer in service please try again" what BS so im filing a small claims suit against SOE for faulty card and refusal to give satisfactuary customer support and ripping off a customer im gonna sue em for $250 plus legal fees due to my greifing over past 2 months issues with them im through with their BS its time we the consumer fight back against these copoprate jerks power to the people not the corporations
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