The End of SWG

[Tecknik]

Just got this email...

Dear Star Wars Galaxies™ Community Member,

We write to you today to inform you that on December 15, 2011, Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) and LucasArts will end all services (MMO and Trading Card Game) for Star Wars Galaxies (SWG). The shutdown of SWG is 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.

In recognition of your incredible loyalty, we are extending special Fan Appreciation offers to the current SWG community. We also plan to go out with a bang with a galaxy-ending in-game event in December and hope to see you all there. The details relating to these offers and events as well as the timeline and specifics regarding the discontinuation of the service, are provided below.

Again, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our player community for making SWG one of the best online communities in gaming history.

Sincerely,
Sony Online Entertainment & LucasArts

The Fine Details:

Discontinuation of Services:

As of September 15, 2011, the SWG MMO and Trading Card Game will no longer be available for sale or subscription at both retail and all online digital retailers. All billing for active subscribers with accounts in good standing, except for Station Access subscribers, will end on October 15, 2011.

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 wishing to play through the end of the game and participate in the galaxy-ending event planned for the last week of live service in December 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.

As of today, June 24, 2011, we are discontinuing the 12, 6, and 3-month subscription plans, meaning these subscription options will no longer be offered for newly created SWG accounts. SWG subscribers who have prepaid six (6) or twelve (12)-month game time plans that extend their subscription period past October 15, 2011 will receive a pro-rated refund for any such pre-paid excess subscription payments*. Such refunds are expected to be issued within 90-days after the game ends.

In addition, we will be discontinuing the sale of all Star Wars Galaxies™ Trading Card Game (TCG) digital card packs as of today, June 24, 2011. Loot cards will not be redeemable in the SWG MMO after September 15, 2011. The TCG will continue to operate until the final service closure on December 15, 2011.

Galaxy-Ending Event – Be Part of this Historic Event

During the last week that SWG is available, we're inviting the community to participate in a galaxy-ending event. We're going to end with a bang and we want the final chapter of the galaxy to be written in part by the dedicated and passionate SWG community. Details will be announced at a later date.

Fan Appreciation Offers

We welcome those active SWG subscribers in good standing to play one or all of the below SOE massively-multiplayer online PC games at a fully-paid subscriber status (or “membership” status where relevant) at no cost between October 15, 2011 and December 31, 2011 (subject to the terms and conditions described below). To activate these special offers, use the same Station Account you use now to subscribe to SWG** and simply click on the game you would like to try to download the game software. We are offering the following SOE games: Free Realms®, Star Wars®: Clone Wars Adventures™, EverQuest®, EverQuest® II and DC Universe™ Online. The game software will all be made available for download on a link accessible from the StarWarsGalaxies.com web site beginning on October 15, 2011.

The eve of SWTOR approaches...

Even though I haven't played in months, I'll be sad to see SWG go.

[Tbone]

Guess we have our release date =p

[Lithium]

[Baobinga]

I had 1 jedi precu and 3 jedi's by the CU. Loved swg to death. Had 5 homes absolutely filled with the rarest furniture and items, decorated to the max. Owned my own city. Had great times base busting, engaging in guild wars, going to dwb, hunting krayt, and just hanging out with the community.

SWG will always be remembered as one of the best games I've ever played but to me it died many years ago. This is just Sony saying they're done trying to milk a dead game. SWTor will be out soon and they know they can't compete.

Goodbye SWG. You will be missed.

[CT]

I haven't played in a long time, however I had 3 accounts and one of every crafter at that. Countless resources and crafting mats, lots of server best. It's sad to see it fall especially because of the circumstance. SOE is taking a no part in the reason for closing. It's quite disgusting actually. So many people actually live their lives based on this game and being able to log in. I don't think lucas arts nor SOE understand the magnitude of this choice...

I think both of these games could co-exist because they cater to a different crowd.

[Anamodiel]

At this point, I can't help but feel a little bad for SOE and its employees. They've been hacked recently, had a bunch of layoffs, have canceled The Agency, and have shut down a few other games. I know it's mostly management's fault, but sometimes they get a bit too much hate. I think that they didn't want to shut it down, and it sounds more like LucasArts didn't want to renew the license anymore for whatever reason. Who knows.

[CT]

Guess we have our release date =p

Aye, I guess so =p

[Enoch]

Guess we have our release date =p

What is it? The e-mail has Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. 15. Which 15 is it?

[Tecknik]

Using my 45 days of gameplay I got from the SOE hacking thing.  Transferred to Bloodfin when Fa started playing.  Bloodfin is dead now and I've got a free transfer.  Probably going back to Shadowfire since Starsider isn't available under the free transfer program.

[Lits]

And there goes another piece of my childhood...

[Ketamininja]

SWG will always be remembered as one of the best games I've ever played but to me it died many years ago.

I think that sums it up nicely for me...

[Keeloth]

It's more EQ2 than SWG now, twisted and eville.

Your game was seduced by the millions of WoW subscribers.  It ceased to be a sandbox and became the NGE.