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Star Wars Galaxies releases new starter kit

by: Chuck - posted: 11/8/2005 7:37:00 PM
More On: Star Wars: Galaxies
As part of the massive re-working of Star Wars Galaxies, Lucasarts and SOE will be releasing a new boxed version of the game on November 22nd (think of it as nice counter programming for those who aren't getting an Xbox 360.  The new Starter Kit edition will sell for $20 and will include one month of service and feature content from the Jump to Lightspeed and Empire Divided expansion packs as well as some new content.  This is a pretty bold move on the part of Lucasarts and Sony Online to get people back into the game and it will be interesting to see if they succeed.

San Francisco, CA. – November 8, 2005 LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) today announced an exciting opportunity for new players to feel the Force of Star Wars Galaxies®. Set for release on November 22, 2005, Star Wars Galaxies: The Starter Kit offers the most accessible, fun approach to the immersive online game you’ll find this side of Endor.   

Designed so that any gamer can feel like a true Jedi Master of the mouse and keyboard, The Starter Kit features vastly improved content meant to hyperspace players into their own personal Star Wars® adventures easier and faster than ever before. By debuting such features as a simplified user interface and a fast-action combat system, LucasArts and SOE have completely redesigned the game’s first 30 levels so that players are immediately engaged in their own Star Wars adventure. With complete content from both Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided® and Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed™, as well as new material created just for the game, The Starter Kit allows players to explore the most dangerous planets of the Star Wars galaxy taking on the role of the famous iconic heroes – from bounty hunter to smuggler. The package includes an exclusive in-game personal X-wing® or TIE fighter®, and at only $19.99 – plus 30 days of gameplay included with purchase – you won’t have to sell your landspeeder in order to gain enough galactic credits to fulfill your destiny. It’s never been easier to get into the game.

“We’re giving Star Wars fans what they want – an accessible, fun online adventure that starts where Star Wars: Episode IV left off,” said Nancy MacIntyre, senior director of Star Wars Galaxies. “Since June 2003, we’ve sold more than 1.5 million units of Star Wars Galaxies, and the game has continually improved. The Starter Kit gives fans of all abilities the opportunity to join thousands of Star Wars fans online in nonstop, easy-to-play Star Wars action.”

For more information on Star Wars Galaxies: The Starter Kit and the entire Star Wars Galaxies experience, please visit www.starwarsgalaxies.com.

About LucasArts

LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual-effects and audio post-production; and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses. Lucasfilm's motion-picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 53 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards.

About Sony Online Entertainment    

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Digital Inc., is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold Legends™, and PlanetSide®, as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies™: An Empire Divided™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge online games in development.

LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. Star Wars Galaxies and Star Wars Battlefront are trademarks of Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries.  Star Wars Galaxies © 2003-2005 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. & ® or TM as indicated.  Star Wars Battlefront and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic each © 2004, 2005 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. & ® or TM as indicated. All rights reserved.

EverQuest is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. SOE, the SOE logo and PlanetSide are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. Untold Legends is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.