November 4, 2005 - What is it about Star Wars that makes people crazy? We've been hearing for years about Star Wars Galaxies now. Before the release, during the release, after the release, through the expansions…. Let's be serious about it. The game didn't really turn out to be the best thing on the planet. There are a lot of problems, the biggest of which is that it just isn't very exciting for most people. I know there are a lot of Galaxies players out there that are very protective over their game. Because it is their game. Most people, as Lucas and SOE are like to admit, have to make their own fun in a game that's fundamentally flawed and has been collapsing under it's own mammoth weight since the game's release. The expansions that released helped a bit. The combat upgrade was received well by some and not so well by others but regardless of the changes some viewed as positive, it just wasn't enough for the majority of players new or veteran. The answer from SOE and LucasArts is a sweeping change to the core gameplay elements of Star Wars Galaxies that is sure to cause one hell of an uproar in the community. The developers came by the office today and made their case about the changes, why they're doing them, and what's in store for the future. Once you stop cursing at your screen, continue down the page and read what you'll find in Galaxies starting the 15th.


I'll be blunt. These are going to be huge changes. People that love the way the game works right now might either hate it or have a really hard time adjusting to the new Galaxies. Then again, they may decide that this is exactly what they've always wanted. Instead of a slow role-playing experience SOE is implementing a slimmed down interface with a Diablo-style action RPG at the core. Gameplay will now be directed by story elements and quest cut together with cinematic scenes allowing players a closer attachment to their characters. In one of the other big moves, the game is moving from the 34 class mosh pit of skills down to a focused 9 iconic classes. There will be some concessions to players that have been around for a long time, but it'll be up to the players to decide whether these concessions are enough to keep them interested.

It's hard to know what exactly to think about the whole situation. It's been an ugly one for quite some time now with developers and players having very weak lines of communication. After a while, they decided to simply put their noses to the grindstone (probably grinding some of them straight off) and come up with something new that might bring more players in and alleviate some of the problems they've had for so long. At first glance, the changes really look to be for the better. The Star Wars feel is there along with some of the icons of the fiction. They may have finally done the players right with this upgrade. We're not saying everyone is going to be happy, but there's a chance that many will. Read on and then tell us what you think. Those of you that play the game will have to judge for yourselves. While the changes do seem good, the way the situation has been dealt with in general has been pretty damn sketchy.