TITLE
Inside the final hours of Star Wars: Galaxies
AUTHOR
Chris Thursten
PUBLICATION
PC Gamer
YEAR
2011
ARTICLE TYPE
Article
FROM THE ARTICLE
24 hours before closure, Star Wars Galaxies does something few MMOs get a chance to: declare a winner. Like the world’s longest game of Battlefield, Imperial and Rebel control is assessed city by city, planet by planet. For years, players aligned to either faction have fought for this territory: now, at the end, it all boils down to a percentage.On Starsider, the SWG server where I spent nearly three years, the breakdown is Imperials 28%, Rebels 72%.
As I log in, I receive a transmission from Mon Mothma, the redhead Rebel with a bowl cut. “The forces of freedom have finally overthrown the tyranny of the Galactic Empire,” she says, sounding a little like George W. Bush on an aircraft carrier. “Today will mark the first day of the new Galactic Republic.” It’s also, for thousands of players across the world, the first day of The Old Republic.
For these final hours, though, SW:TOR discussion is conspicuously absent from the streets of SWG. The focus is on enjoying the variously daft and climactic events laid on by Sony Online Entertainment, on visiting old haunts before they vanish forever, and on saying goodbye to friends.
GAMES MENTIONED
Star Wars Galaxies