The (Original) Star Wars MMO Shutting Down in December

[iron ram]

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http://www.1up.com/news/original-star-wars-mmo-shutting-down-december

Sony Online Entertainment today announced its plans to shut down Star Wars Galaxies before the end of the year.

The long-running MMO first launched in 2003 and has undergone some big changes over the years. It received several expansion packs, but one update in particular, known as 'New Game Enhancements,' ditched the game's profession system and allowed anyone to play the role of a Jedi. It was widely criticized, though it apparently wasn't bad enough to drive all of its players away as the game has continued to operate for more than five-and-a-half years.

The upcoming shutdown, taking place on December 15, 2011, will put an end to both the MMO and Trading Card Game, which was an aspect of the game released as a part of an update in 2008. The official site describes it as a "very difficult decision, but SOE and LucasArts have mutually agreed that the end of 2011 is the appropriate time to end the game."

"We are extremely grateful to all of the SWG fans. We have had the rare opportunity to host one of the most dedicated and passionate online gaming communities and we truly appreciate the support we've received from each and every one of you over the course of the past eight years."

A "galaxy-ending in-game event" will take place in December to see players off, which sounds intriguing to me, and I don't even play the game. Details on that will be coming in the future; for now, a schedule of important dates has been made available that outlines what will happen in the coming months.

The Trading Card Game store closes today and subscription packs will be turned off. On September 15, neither the MMO nor the TCG will be available for sale. Subscriptions will also no longer be sold and no new or reactivated accounts will be allowed in. Free game trials will begin being offered here on October 15, and refunds will be offered to those who have subscriptions that extend beyond this date.

The move to shut down Galaxies seemed inevitable with BioWare's The Old Republic on the horizon. EA indicated in May that it's possible the game won't be available in 2011, so Star Wars fanatics might be without a Star Wars MMO of any sort for a period of time. Before the release of TOR was pushed so far back, LucasArts said in 2008 that it thought both games could co-exist.