Star Wars Galaxies News

1.01 Who is developing the game?



Star Wars Galaxies is being developed by Sony Online Entertainment and LucasArts Entertainment Company. The core development team includes some of the most talented developers from both Ultima Online and EverQuest, the two most successful massively multiplayer games to date.



1.02 What is the game going to be like?



First and foremost, it is going to be Star Wars. We are trying to capture as many aspects as possible of life in that Universe. Players will be able to fight stormtroopers, hang out in a cantina, build droids, and explore the galaxy... We want each player to become whatever he or she wants to be, from a shop owner to a bounty hunter to a galactic hero, or even all of the above.



1.03 Is this a multiplayer-only game?



Yes, this is a massively multiplayer online game set in the Star Wars universe. You play a character in a virtual universe. Players will be able to adventure solo while online; grouping is not required. (That is not to say that players will be able to play `Han Solo` however)



1.04 What is a MMORPG?



MMORPG is a terribly long acronym for `Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game`. It is used to classify games like EverQuest and Ultima Online.



1.05 Will this be EverQuest in Space?



No. Star Wars Galaxies is being designed from the ground up to be its own game. Although many of our designers have learned a great deal from games such as EverQuest, Ultima Online and Meridian 59, we are dedicated to making a new game designed to work well with the Star Wars universe.



1.06 Will there be a fee to play in addition to buying the game?



To pay for ongoing costs such as live team salaries, bandwidth consumption and customer service, there will likely be a subscription fee. The amount will not be determined until we are closer to shipping the game.



1.07 Will there be updates and/or expansions? Will they be free and downloadable or will they come in a box at the store?



The answer is most definitely both updates and expansion packs. We will have boxed expansions because you just can`t get press attention or more shelf space or serious marketing without a new box. We also can`t do really big additions that involve large amounts of data without a new CD. At the same time though, weâll provide regular free updates to the product that will go beyond simple bug patches.



1.08 What if I don`t have a lot of time to play this game? Will I still be able to play with my friends who do?



We wanted to avoid power differentials that prevent hard-core gamers and the more casual gamers from playing together, so the two will be able to play together fruitfully.



1.09 Do I have to be a `twitchy` gamer to succeed in Star Wars Galaxies?



No. The term `twitchy` refers to quick reflexes and gaming skills such as those required in first-person-shooter style games. Star Wars Galaxies does not require a player to have these skills to succeed. The first expansion pack will involve some twitch type skills in addition to the RPG piloting skills of your character when flying space ships.



1.10 Can I play with a modem, or will I need a broadband connection?



Our goal is to allow you to be able to play with a modem.



1.11 Will Star Wars Galaxies be a PC only game?



We are currently designing the game for the PC, but we haven`t ruled out any of the other platforms. We will let you know of any definitive plans for a port of the game as soon as they emerge.



1.12 Why call it âGalaxiesâ instead of âGalaxyâ?



The answer is two-fold. First, we intend on releasing multiple titles under the Star Wars Galaxies line. Secondly, we will be using multiple servers/galaxies as opposed to attempting a game with one shared galaxy. The decision to break up versions of the game was based on a number of factors, but it basically comes down to content. It would not be possible for us to generate enough content, to the level of detail we want and with the high quality the fans expect, for everyone to play in the same space.



1.13 Will there be servers outside of the United States?



We are talking to several ISP partners in Asia and Europe. Our current thoughts are to have servers located in different parts of the world. It is too early to give you exact locations. We are going to localize our game into different languages. We have not decided which languages to release with.



1.14 How do I control space ships in the expansion?



Weâre trying very hard to make the game as accessible as possible to everyone, so you will be able to control a ship with the mouse, keyboard or a joystick. The space portion will be much more `action-arcade` than the ground portion.



1.15 How will the game be initially delivered? How will the cost of the game
be figured?



Expect to purchase the game in a box. LucasArts Entertainment Company will determine the cost of the game and subscription fees based on market conditions at the time of release.



1.16 What are the minimum system requirements?



We haven`t announced the minimum system requirements yet. Our target, however, is to run on what is considered to be a low-end machine at the time of release in the second half of 2002.



1.17 Will you place a cap on the number of characters a single server can support?



Yes. To avoid urban blight, we want to cap the amount of wilderness that could ever possibly be built on. Because each character is guaranteed a certain number of `lots` on which he or she may build, we will cap the number of characters on a server so no character is left without their promised allotment of building space due to a real estate shortage.





2. Setting and Environment



2.01 How many planets will there be in the game?



We`re still finalizing the list of planets and locations, but players will be able to visit many familiar Star Wars sites such as Tatooine, Naboo and Yavin IV, as well as some never-before-seen worlds from the expanded Star Wars universe!



2.02 When in the Star Wars timeline is this game set?



The game takes place during the Galactic Civil War, which fans refer to as the `Classic Era`, in reference to the `Classic (or Original) Trilogy.` We haven`t pinpointed the exact point on the timeline yet, but the game will definitely take place after the destruction of the first Death Star and the Battle of Yavin.



2.03 Why did you choose the `Classic Era` as a setting?



There are several reasons for this choice in setting for Star Wars Galaxies:



Thereâs a massive conflict going on. The struggle between the Empire and the Alliance gives us a perfect backdrop for an MMO. The Empire is still incredibly powerful, but the Alliance is growing, too, as new systems join the resistance movement.

Aside from Obi-Wan, all of the major and secondary characters are still alive and kicking. We can include familiar characters if we want.

Many of the major locations are intact or have recently been discovered. If we decide to build Jabbaâs Palace, complete with Jabba and his crew, we donât need to worry about whether heâs moved in yet or whether heâs deadâ¦

Thereâs a wealth of Expanded Universe sources that cover this time period. These sources provide great inspiration and reference, which weâll need if we want to create an immersive MMO.

2.04 Are you going to use the Star Wars Expanded Universe?



We will be drawing from the Star Wars expanded universe (comics, games, novels, etc.) where appropriate and possible.



2.05 Are there zones like in EQ?



Not exactly. The `zone model` doesn`t really apply to Star Wars Galaxies. We will have contained areas designed for exploration, combat, player interaction, and travel, but the transitions between these areas will be seamless and automatic. Players will feel like they are adventuring across large sections of a planet, rather than hopping from zone to zone. Each world will have several areas, including settlements and wild regions.



2.06 Will the game include space travel?



Yes. We will have multiple planets upon launch and the initial product will provide players with methods for moving between these planets. The expansion will allow players to own starships for travel and combat.



2.07 How much gore will be in the game?



You can expect that the level of gore and violence in SWG will be similar to the level of `gore` in other LucasArts products, such as Dark Forces and Jedi Knight. We certainly understand that combat is violent in the Star Wars universe (and elsewhere), but none of our games contain gratuitous gore or bloodshed. Basically, we take our lead from the films - the `gore` in the game probably won`t exceed anything you`ve seen in The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition, for example.



2.08 Will there be music in the game?



Yes, the game will have a soundtrack reminiscent of the Star Wars films.



2.09 Will there be a profanity filter of some sort in the game?



A profanity filter will definitely be in the game. You will be able to decide whether to use it, what additional words go into it, as well as be able to password it so that it can be used as a parental control.



2.10 Will the game contain content from Episode I?



All five films can be considered our primary resources. We`re using a ton of material from Episode I-expect to see Episode I technology, aliens, and even high-level concepts in Star Wars Galaxies. We`re also going to drop in some Episode II content as it becomes available.



2.11 Will you be making complete, round planets?



We opted for variety (i.e. several different worlds) rather than size (one or two âcompleteâ worlds). Thereâs just no way that we could build more than one or two entire worlds with the level of detail that weâre seeking, and we felt that players would rather be able to travel to multiple worlds than simply circumnavigate a single planet.



2.12 What is the camera perspective?



You can fluidly change from first person to chase cam to isometric view while outside. Basically we are leaving it up to the player to decide which view they prefer to play the game in. We have not addressed the player perspective while inside buildings yet.



2.13 Will I cast twin shadows on Tatooine?



We are remaining true to the continuity of the movies, so only one shadow is cast on
Tatooine.



2.14 How will I move between planets before the space expansion is released?



Players will have access to public transports that will shuttle them between planets. Traveling from planet to planet will not be instantaneous, but we will do our best to make sure you arenât bored during the flight.



2.15 What size are the planets in SWG?



Right now, each planet is 16 km on a side. We have the technology to make each planet larger, but we want to strike a balance between a sense of exploration and adventure, and large sizes leading to tedious travel times and lack of content.



2.16 Will the game`s timeline follow the events of the movies, such as the battle of Hoth and the destruction of the second Death Star?



At this time, we donât have any concrete plans for the game`s timeline to advance through the movies. Instead, weâre providing the tools for players to shape each galaxy to follow their own path. In the future, our live team may advance the timeline to include events from the movies and Extended Universe, but it will not be tied to a fixed calendar schedule





3. Characters and Skills



3.01 Can I play a Wookiee?



Yes, you can play a Wookiee, or choose from seven other familiar Star Wars species (Human, Zabrak, Mon Calamari, Bothan, Rodian, Trandoshan, and Twi`lek). Each species will have strengths and weaknesses, but this won`t limit a player`s options or advancement within the game.



3.02 Can I be Luke Skywalker, Han Solo or Princess Leia?



No. To preserve the continuity of the fiction, you will not be able to play the key figures in the Star Wars universe. However, you may cross paths with a few of themâ¦



3.03 Will I be able to kill Darth Vader?



At this point, you will probably not be able to kill Darth Vader, but some players may have the opportunity to interact with him. We would like to adhere to the continuity as much as possible; Vader is key to the trilogy, so you probably wonât be able to kill him (like you would really stand a chance against the Lord of the Sith anywayâ¦)



3.04 Will Star Wars Galaxies use a skill-based system or a level-based system with classes?



Star Wars Galaxies will use a skill-based system with skill trees, and we`ll have a wide range of skill trees and professions, including combat, crafting, and politics. Players will open up new capabilities as they advance by acquiring new skills. Specialized skills will require mastery of the lower-level skills in the tree, and skills may also require other sorts of prerequisites. You will not have to engage in combat to advance (well, except for combat, of course!).



3.05 Will my character be based on a pre-defined archetype or `class?`



No. We want to give players the freedom to create characters with a wide range of skills and abilities. Characters will be defined primarily by the skills they possess and the types of activities they pursue, and not by `classes.` We`re hoping this results in thousands of unique characters with their own individual strengths.



3.06 Will there be name constraints or professional titles?



We will enforce name constraints to help promote a Star Wars atmosphere. You will not see LuukSkywalker777 running around. We do intend on allowing players to attain professional titles based on the skills they choose to focus on.



3.07 Will role-playing be promoted in Star Wars Galaxies?



We wanted to set the expectation early on that this would be an environment conducive to role-play. However, role-playing is not mandatory.



3.08 Will my character`s species affect my skill selection?



No. We feel that players in Star Wars Galaxies should have the freedom to create the characters that they want, regardless of species. In addition, species in Star Wars are generally as diverse as we humans, and we want to capture that feel. We don`t want to pigeonhole any character into pre-defined roles, so you will be able to select from most skills available regardless of species. However, some species may receive modifiers to skills based on what they are naturally good (or bad) at doing, and a handful of skills could be limited to specific species if there is a logical, Star Wars-based reason for doing so (we might decide that only Wookiees can build and repair bowcasters, for example).



3.09 Will I be able to play a healer in the game?



One of the `playstyles` that we`ve identified is the `healer` type of player - that is, the player who enjoys taking on a support role and aiding others by healing his or her allies. As a result, we`ve found ways for these players to create effective characters - expect to see well-developed medical and healing skills.



3.10 Will there be Dark Troopers in the game and will I be able to play one?



We`re still finalizing our art asset lists, but Dark Trooper is currently included as an NPC. You probably won`t be able to play a Dark Trooper because they are such specialized units manufactured by the Empire (and, if you spent any time doing anything other than following the Empire`s orders, you`d be AWOL).



3.11 Will I be able to become a stormtrooper?



Unfortunately, the constraints of the Imperial hierarchy prohibit us from allowing players to actually become stormtroopers in the initial launch product. Service in the Empire would be very difficult to enforce; if we did allow stormtroopers, players would constantly be AWOL as they explored other aspects of the game. Rest assured, however, that players will be able to serve the Empire in many other ways.



3.12 How many species will be available for me to play?



We will feature eight playable species for the release of the game. We whittled down the long list to eight finalists, which will provide a great deal of diversity and balance to the game. The eight playable species are: Wookiee, Zabrak, Human, Bothan, Rodian, Mon Calamari, Trandoshan, and Twi`lek. We hope to add additional playable species with future products in the Star Wars Galaxies line.



3.13 What kind of help will be available to newbies in the game?



There will be a âNewbie Hallâ (for lack of a better term), where new players can get their feet wet and begin exploring some of the game mechanics. Weâre also hoping that the interface will be very intuitive to cut down on some of the common problems new players face when jumping into a complex MMO. Finally, there will be systems in place that actually encourage seasoned players to help out new players.



3.14 Will there be varied races within a species?



Weâre planning to allow for a wide range of races within species, where it makes sense and fits within the continuity. Twi`leks are a good example of this - there are several different types, with a variety of skin coloration.



3.15 Will there be species in the game that are not playable?



A ton. Our NPC aliens list is pretty extensive.



3.16 How will skill advancement work?



Each skill will cost skill points. You can only acquire so many skills before you are not allowed to learn any more. The total number of skills you can acquire, however, will depend on what sorts of skills you learn. The higher up any tree you go, the more all future skills will cost to learn. Likewise, the broader across all professions you go, the more all future skills will cost to learn. The cheapest paths are to go either straight up (specializing) or straight across (jack of all trades). If you try to specialize in multiple areas, each skill will cost more skill points, and you will run out of points sooner.



3.17 What sorts of prerequisites will skills have?



A character may be required to have one or more of the following things before they can learn a certain skill: Other related skills, certain usage level of those related skills, the completion of required missions, money for training, certain level of attributes, and certain standings with a faction or NPC guild. In rare cases, they may be limited by their species.



3.18 Can I learn partial skill trees?



Yes. You can stop climbing a skill tree whenever you want. If you choose to use your skill points to learn a wider range of skills, you can dabble in multiple skill trees.



3.19 If I choose a skill, then later realize I donât like it, will I be stuck with it for the rest of the game?



You can always give up a skill in order to apply those points towards something that you find more interesting and useful. So, if you put X skill points into Wookiee grooming and later realize that Wookiee grooming really isnât your idea of a good time, you can always give up that skill to get those points back and put them into something more useful, like blaster repair.



3.20 Will mining be in the game as a potential player pursuit? If so, will it be a skill, a series of skills, or will it simply be a question of having the proper equipment?



Yes, mining will be part of the game as a player pursuit. Youâll probably need to have points invested in at least one mining-related skill tree *and* the proper equipment in order to mine stuff.



3.21 Do I earn skill points kind of like experience points in EQ?



No. You start with all the skill points you will ever have. However, you won`t be able to use them all right off the bat. You have to qualify to get skills.



3.22 Will my skills atrophy from lack of use?



No, you never lose a skill box from inactivity. However, being at a certain level of familiarity with a skill is a prerequisite to advancing to a higher skill in the tree, generally, and inactivity can cost you that.



3.23 How will my characterâs attributes affect skills?



Attributes can serve as prerequisites for skills. They can also affect skill rolls. There are no âlevelsâ within a skill (a skill box is a `have it or don`t` thing).



3.24 For basic actions like shooting a blaster, will I need to have the appropriate skill just to perform them?



For something like firing a blaster, everyone knows how to do it. The skill itself serves to enhance the basic ability. A semantic difference, you might think, but an important one.



3.25 Can I choose to âskipâ some skills in my skill tree but still continue to advance through it?



There are subspecialties within professions that you can choose to skip if you`re not interested in them. For example, there are skills specific to particular models of blaster. You might become a master marksman, but not pick up model-specific skills.



3.26 Is my character going to be weaker than a womp rat when I start out?



Given some basic fighting skills that you can pick up as a newbie, you should be able to take on more substantial opponents than womp rats. We agree with the common player feeling that `being weaker than a rabbit sucks.`



3.27 Will the acquisition of certain skills in one skill tree require that I have skills from other trees as prerequisites?



Yes. Some skill trees, such as bounty hunting, for example, aren`t even available to you until you reach a certain point in other trees that serve as prerequisites.



3.28 What are the main attributes of a character?



There are three bars that you pay attention to while playing: your Health, your Action, and your Mind. We usually call these your âpools.â There are six attributes that affect these pools: Strength, Constitution, Quickness, Stamina, Focus, and Willpower. Different species have different maximums and minimums for these attributes.



3.29 Will solo characters be able to attain a high or maximum set of skills in skill trees without the need to group with other characters?



For the most part, yes. We want soloing to be viable in Star Wars Galaxies, so weâre going to do our best to support solo players in various ways. There will be a handful of skill trees that require grouping and some other skills will rely on player interaction, but a solo character should be able to climb just as high in âblaster repairâ as a character who groups. There may even be skills that can only be improved while soloing.



3.30 How do attributes work in character creation?



When a character is created, you get to distribute points into all nine of the statistics. Weâll provide some templates for quick creation and also random rolls if you prefer that method.



3.31 How do attributes work during gameplay?



Youâll need to pay attention to all three pools-you can be incapacitated via attacks on any of the three. This is to ensure that every character has strengths and weaknesses. Use of skills takes points from the relevant pool; for example, a feat of strength may well use up Health. The rate of expenditure from a pool and the rate at which the pool refreshes are based on your attributes. For example, Strength affects how much Health a particular action costs, and Constitution affects how fast your Health comes back.



3.32 Do my attributes change over time?



Yes, they change over time, but the total amount of points never increases. Instead, you set targets for what you want your attributes to become, and they migrate there over time. You want to do this in order to shift the nature of your character. Many skills will have attribute prerequisites.



3.33 Can I play a bounty hunter like Bossk or Boba Fett?



Yes, you can. There is a bounty hunter profession in the game, which includes abilities such as tracking your targets. Bounty hunters are not able to take down any target they wish; they are given a list of possible targets and they sign up for a particular one at the bounty hunter`s guild. The more experienced you are as a bounty hunter, the more difficult (and lucrative!) the targets offered to you will be. Targets may include computer-controlled NPCs or players who have incurred bounties because of breach of contract or criminal actions



3.34 If I play a non-human species, will that prevent me from interacting and advancing within the Imperial faction?



Anyone can become a declared Imperial regardless of species. We haven`t worked out all the details of the Imperial structure yet, but we don`t want your species to affect how far you can climb or what you can achieve within that faction. There may be certain modifiers to your interactions with Imperial NPCs based on species, but that won`t stop your progress.



3.35 How do we craft items?



Once you have resources, you use them in schematics to build items and components. There are schematics for specific types of object, but you can affect statistics about the resultant design for the object based on your crafting skills and the exact resources you use, so not all designs come out the same. Once you have finished a schematic design, it becomes a blueprint for manufacturing. You feed the schematic into a factory and as long as the factory has the resources and components specified by the schematic, it will manufacture items based on that schematic, even if you are offline.



3.36 How do schematics work?



As you gain in crafting skill, you gain access to new schematic types. You have a limited capacity for schematic types, so you may have to give up crafting certain types of things as you advance. These schematic templates allow for experimentation; for example, a blaster schematic may call for a barrel, but you can put any blaster barrel into the schematic to see how it affects the potential item to be crafted. Once you have put all the components in the schematic, you then work with the prototype to try to maximize its potential. Once you have finished, the schematic is `burned in` and becomes a manufacturing schematic. This means it is now a commodity item, and can be used to manufacture from (when placed in a factory) or can be traded, bought, and sold. It also now will forever call for exactly the components that were used--so if that type of blaster barrel is no longer available, that burned in schematic is useless.



3.37 Why are Jawas not a playable species?



With very few EU exceptions, we`ve never really seen Jawas away from Tatooine, so it would be disconcerting to see large numbers of them on other worlds. Also, we simply couldn`t make every species playable. We selected eight because that was an achievable number that still offered great variety. None of this prevents us from including Jawas as playable later, though, if the demand is there.



3.38 Will I be able to customize my character`s appearance?



Yes. We are putting a great deal of emphasis on character customization. We are currently planning for you to be able to customize both your face and your body. For example, on a human face, you can adjust factors such as mouth width, eye shape, chin length, size of the nose, etc. You can also adjust skin color, hair style, facial hair, hair color, eye color, etc. On Zabrak, the same parameters apply, but there are additional features such as horn patterns and tattoos. You can adjust these parameters manually, or use a random face builder if you don`t care that much about how you look. We`re hoping this results in thousands of unique characters populating the galaxy.



3.39 Will I be able to join the military?



There will be military ranks for each faction, which you can ascend based on your performance in the military skill tree and other related skill trees. You will have to invest skill points into the military skill tree. Different species will have different advancement requirements in the different militaries--for example, Wookiees and Mon Calamari will have to work substantially harder to advance in the Imperial military. As you gain ranks you get certain perks, such as access to different military gear.



3.40 If I want to take an active role in the Galactic Civil War, will I be forced to join the military?



No. Non-military people will likely still be able to get access to military equipment under certain circumstances (on battlefields, for example). This breaks slightly with continuity, but the fictional coherence isnât much fun if it means that most players wonât get to feel like they are participating in the GCW





4. Jedi and Lightsabers



4.01 Will I be able to play a Jedi?



Yes. Although the details are still being worked out, we are staying true to the spirit of the films. Therefore, the journey to become a Jedi will be difficult, but those players who choose this path with find it very rewarding.



4.02 Will there be numerical limit on the number of Jedi allowed on each server?



No. We`re not using artificial means such as quotas or caps to limit the Jedi population. We`re designing an organic system that will allow the Jedi population to fluctuate over time.



4.03 Will only the extremely lucky or hardcore players get to play Jedi?



We are not âpre-determiningâ whether a character can become a Jedi or not. Also, being âhardcoreâ is not a qualifier used in becoming a Jedi. Our system is designed to allow the casual player, as well as the hardcore player, the opportunity to become a Jedi.



4.04 Can I become a Dark Jedi?



Yes. We`re creating the Jedi system to take into account Dark Jedi. However, be warned that the life of a Dark Jedi will be very perilous...



4.05 Is it possible for other species to become Jedi?



Yes. Any character, regardless of species, has the potential to become a Jedi.



4.06 How will Force powers be implemented?



Force powers will function much like skills in Star Wars Galaxies - we`re actually using the same basic set of rules for both systems. Like skills, Force powers will be divided into several `trees` (or `spheres`), allowing players to select specific powers and areas of focus.



4.07 If I am a Jedi with a lightsaber, will I be able to block blaster shots and perform other cool lightsaber tricks?



Lightsabers will have all the same capabilities as those seen in the film, but a lightsaber doesn`t automatically confer special abilities to the wielder - a Jedi will still need the proper skills and training to master things like `blaster reflection.`



4.08 Can I build my own lightsaber?



Yes, but weâre following a few simple rules that have been established by the continuity of Star Wars such as: Only Jedi can manufacture lightsabers. Building a lightsaber is difficult. Only Jedi can use lightsabers effectively. A Jedi is more skilled with his or her personal lightsaber than with a âborrowedâ lightsaber.



4.09 How long will it take a Jedi to construct his lightsaber?



This will probably come down to balancing, with our starting duration based on the continuity. We don`t want lightsabers to be really easy/quick to produce, but we also don`t want it to take an inordinate amount of time. According to continuity, it took Luke quite some time to build his lightsaber on Tatooine and he `failed` many attempts. But, he was also working in a relative vacuum, without a Master and only Obi-Wan`s journal to guide him. The time it takes to actually build a lightsaber will also likely be affected by the Jedi`s various skills and how `strong` the character is with the Force.



4.10 Can I make a double-bladed lightsaber?



Learning how to build a double-sided lightsaber will likely be more difficult than learning how to build a normal lightsaber. You will also probably need more components (additional crystals, for example). And, we may make it more difficult to learn how to wield the weapon effectively, since so few Jedi have spent the time necessary to master the double-bladed lightsaber, and it is so rare during the original trilogy`s time period.



4.11 Can I choose what color my lightsaber will be?



We will offer multiple lightsaber colors.



4.12 Will I be able to turn off my lightsaber?



You will be able to deactivate your lightsaber, but carrying the hilt around might still attract attention.



4.13 Can lightsabers get old and âbreakâ?



We will have item decay in the game, and this will affect lightsabers as well. However, a Jedi has the knowledge necessary to maintain a lightsaber, preventing such decay.



4.14 Can I have a title like âJedi Knightâ or âJedi Masterâ?



We`re planning to include Jedi titles, like `Jedi Knight` and `Jedi Master` in the game. Dark Jedi would likely have the same titles as the regular Jedi (Dark Jedi Knight, Dark Jedi Master)



4.15 Can I become a Sith Lord in the game?



No, although players may be able to become Dark Jedi, they will not be able to become Sith Lords. The films explicitly state that there are only two Sith Lords at any given time, and the two during the time of Star Wars Galaxies have been clearly identified as the Emperor and Darth Vader.





5. Combat and Death



5.01 Is this game focused on combat?



No, not at all. We know that many players will want to explore dangerous areas, participate in the Galactic Civil War, and engage in combat with a wide variety of enemies, so those options are available. However, players who are so inclined can take part in galactic politics, own a shop, or help build the community. Players can improve their characters without ever fighting anything.



5.02 Will there be Player Versus Player (PvP) combat?



Yes. We`re including a system that allows for Player-versus-Player combat, for those who wish to participate. However, we`re working very hard to ensure that the system fits within the context of the Universe and reflects the fact that the galaxy is embroiled in a civil war without forcing everyone to become involved in PvP combat.



5.03 Will there be permanent death for characters?



No. We feel that the investment players make in their characters is too great. We don`t think players would like to lose everything because they looked at a rancor the wrong way.



5.04 Will there be custom moves and animations in combat?



Yes. We are planning to make combat as exciting as possible by including specific moves and attacks with unique animations. From a design perspective, these moves will also be useful and add an element of strategy to everything from a simple slugfest to a shoot-out with stormtroopers. Some moves might enhance a character`s defensive capabilities or increase the damage done by an attack, for example. Special moves won`t just look cool - they`ll also be a vital part of combat.



5.05 Will there be character aging and death from aging?



No, your character will not age and die.



5.06 Will I be able to set my blaster to stun and kill, and change the color of its blasts?



We`re hoping to be able to do all of this, where appropriate (not all blasters have a `stun` setting, so it wouldn`t be appropriate to provide this option across the board). Allowing players to customize and modify equipment, including weapons, is one of our big goals.



5.07 Will enemies be able to attack me through walls?



No, enemies will not be able to attack you through walls.



5.08 Will there be vehicle-based weapons?



Yes, we plan to support them. For the initial release, we`re going to only let vehicles have one nose-mounted weapon though.



5.09 Will there be a switch to turn PvP on and off?



No, there will not be a switch for PvP.



5.10 How will Player versus Player system be handled?



Our system will allow players of opposing factions to fight each other in certain locations. Attacking people who are not of opposing faction will carry significant penalties. The system is designed to encourage fighting between such people as Rebels and Imperials while discouraging random player killing.



5.11 Will there be designated player versus player and safe areas in the game?



The world will be divided into safe areas, wild areas, and truce areas. In each, the default behavior for PvP will change. Safe areas disallow player vs. player aggression by default, but permit consensual player conflict; player vs. environment combat is still possible in these areas. In wild areas, player vs. player aggression is permitted by default but may result in penalties for the aggressor; player vs. environment combat is also possible in these areas. In truce areas, no player vs. player aggression is permitted, even if it is consensual; player vs. environment combat may also be impossible, depending on the location. In addition to this basic system, there will be exceptions layered on top of these defaults, to facilitate guild warfare and specific faction conflicts.



5.12 How will Player Association wars work?



A player association can issue a challenge to a target player association. The target PA may accept or decline the challenge. If the target PA accepts, a state of war is declared. War termination conditions are set, which, when met, end the war and result in a victor. Members and installations of the opposing associations will be vulnerable to attacks from each other during the period of war.



5.13 How will I know if someone is attackable or not?



There will be a direct visual indicator that will reveal whether you can attack a targeted player and vice versa. However, the reasons why someone is attackable are not exposed in this manner. Players can bring up the profile of another player to determine exactly why they are attackable.



5.14 How will area effect damage be handled for enemies and non-enemies?



Area effect damage will be âsmartâ and will only harm enemies. Non-enemies will not suffer damage. You can be harmed by your own area effect attack.



5.15 Can I kill someone accidentally?



No. When your Health, Action, or Mind bars are reduced to zero, you are incapacitated until you are brought out of it or heal out of it naturally. Actually killing someone involves issuing an additional command, like a fatal blow or a coup de grace.



5.16 Will I need to loot my corpse to recover items?



We are planning to include an `insurance` system whereby items can be insured and then replaced upon character death. Looting a corpse will still be necessary to recover uninsured items.



5.17 Will witnesses be able to report killers?



No, only the victim can report his or her killer.



5.18 How will combat deal with Internet latency?



To help mitigate latency issues, there is a queue used in combat. You do a move, and it goes in line, to be executed next time you have a default move coming up. The move you do may well have a delay (so if you choose the full circle sweep, you may not get to attack again immediately; you may have to wait 3 seconds, for example, and that`s the danger of choosing that move). The queue is so you can stack moves for effect, and execute right after one another in the fastest possible way.



6. Additional Gameplay Issues



6.01 Will I be able to work for the Empire?



Yes. We`re planning to include a faction system that monitors a player`s relationships with various groups in the Star Wars Universe, including the Rebel Alliance and the Empire. Players with the proper faction standing can work for either side in the Galactic Civil War. Players will also be able to become `declared` Imperials.



6.02 Will there be pets in the game?



Yes. Players will be able to buy and raise various Star Wars creatures. Players can also own a wide variety of droids to function as sidekicks, assistants, and, in some cases, pets.



6.03 Will I be able to own equipment like blasters and hydrospanners?



We are planning to have all the cool equipment that you`re familiar with from Star Wars.



6.04 Will there be item decay?



Yes, to promote a healthy, player driven economy we intend to design Item Decay (where certain items weaken with time or use).



6.05 Will I be able to own a vehicle?



That`s the plan. Fantastic vehicles are part of Star Wars and we wouldn`t want to deprive fans of this element. We`re hoping to include a number of different vehicles for players to buy, use, and modify.



6.06 How will alien languages be handled?



Primarily through skills and technology. All characters will begin with the ability to understand and speak Basic, the universal language of the galaxy (the only exception to this rule will be Wookiees, who can understand Basic but will not be able to speak it). This will allow most player characters to easily communicate with one another from the outset. Player characters may also begin with species-specific languages where appropriate. All characters can learn additional languages by acquiring additional language skills. Players will also have the opportunity to purchase droids and simple translations devices to aid in communication and understanding alien tongues.



6.07 Can I be an alien and work for the Empire?



Yes, players can work for the Empire regardless of species because, in general, we don`t want to limit a player`s achievements because of the species selected. It is well-documented that the Emperor doesn`t particularly care for alien lifeforms, but he does recognize talent and realizes that some species have their uses. However, NPCs--including high-ranking Imperials--might react negatively to specific species, and some areas may be more dangerous to some aliens (we`re still working out all the details for each playable species).



6.08 How important will equipment be in Star Wars Galaxies?



Technology is a big part of Star Wars, so we want to include as much of it as possible. At the same time, we want to ensure that equipment never overshadows a character`s skills and abilities. A character without any equipment at all still has his or her skills, special abilities, and accumulated knowledge.



6.09 Will I be able to own a house or building in SWG?



Yes, we intend to allow players to place and own buildings and structures, and control access to them. We have plans to prevent overcrowding of buildings and structures--there will be tight limits.



6.10 Can I own a shop?



If you own a suitable structure, you can hire an NPC to run a shop there for you. You will need to supply the stock for the shop, and you get to set the sale and purchase prices for the goods you sell and wish to buy. You`ll have to pay the NPC out of the shop earnings, however, or they`ll quit.



6.11 Will I be able to choose the planet on which I start the game?



Yes, in all likelihood. Also, your starting planet is not going to be dictated by your species. However, there will be some planets that will be `off-limits` as starting destinations, mainly for continuity reasons.



6.12 Will I be able to build a Rebel or Imperial base?



Yes. Players of the appropriate faction will be able to establish bases, which will then behave just like any other Rebel or Imperial bases in the game, including attracting the attention of NPCs of the opposite faction.



6.13 Will there be player-run cities in the game?



Yes. If enough players colonize a portion of the map, they will be able to declare themselves to be a city, elect city officials, decide what powers officials can have, and determine local laws and factional alignment.



6.14 Can I hold territory in the game?



Yes, you can. By building structures on the map, including automatic defenses, walls, and turrets, players can work together to build towns or bases.



6.15 Will Mandalorian armor be an attainable item in the game?



Yes. However, in Star Wars continuity, Mandalorian armor is extremely rare. Weâll try to reflect that in the game.



6.16 Can I do things like hug, kiss, and dance in the game?



Yes, there will be lots of animated emotes.



6.17 How will you support politics in the game?



There will be a skill tree for political skills. These skills will serve as pre-requisites for occupying the political roles that a player can take in the game, such as city mayor. They will also open the door to abilities such as political assassination and the granting of specific types of missions.



6.18 Will there be a beginning point for characters to start on each planet, or will our characters randomly appear when we first start?



There will be a beginning point, for sure. We need to teach new players how to move and talk and interact through the game, and will likely have custom newbie start points for that purpose, so that we can embed some sort of basic tutorial in them.



6.19 Will the best items in the game be crafted or loot or quest items?



Probably all of the above, depending on the type of item. We definitely want crafted items to have value in the game, and we want quests to have some kind of value as well (of course, this value could be expressed through some sort of reward other than an item). Weâre not focusing as heavily on looting as previous MMOs, but there will definitely be the opportunity to loot defeated foes and acquire special things that way as well.



6.20 How much land can an account/character own?



We`re dividing the map into `lots.` A player can own multiple lots. Lots are fairly small, so structures will often take up more than one lot. Your lots do not have to be contiguous. There will be measures in place to prevent overcrowding and urban blight; some will be strict limits (for example, places where people simply cannot build), and some will be economic in nature (for example, homes near polluting factories may be more expensive to maintain). There will also be a cap on how much land on a given planet can be developed, in order to ensure that the proper balance of wilderness and civilized area is maintained. We will be basing the amount of lots each player gets on the planned capacity for unique characters on a given server, to ensure that we do not run out of land on a given server.



6.21 Will it matter where I build my house in the game?



We`re putting a fair amount of emphasis on economic drivers of intelligent building. Weâre providing direct incentives not only by allowing them to form towns, but also by reducing the maintenance costs of houses that are near other houses.



6.22 Am I going to suffer lots of down time resting, recovering my corpse, etc.?



We are trying to be very aggressive and eliminate all the needless tedious bits. Corpse recovery, finding a group, waiting for stat recovery, etc., are all things we`re trying to remove or make faster or more fun in general.



6.23 Can I clear rocks or trees in an area I want to build, or will they prevent me from building in that location?



When you place a structure, it clearcuts the land under it automatically and removes the trees or rocks. If the structure is removed, the terrain returns to its previous state (the trees spring back fully grown, etc.).



6.24 How will running and walking work?



Running is a `burst action` that exhausts you very quickly and can`t be used in a sustained manner; it is mostly for use as a combat tactic. Walking (or vehicles!) would be the primary means of movement.



6.25 Will I be able to change my character`s appearance after I create him?



We plan to have `character makeover` skills, that will allow you to go to another player and have your hair restyled or the color changed.



6.26 Does food serve any purpose in the game beyond simply satisfying a game-enforced simulation of reality (i.e. hunger)?



Yes, food is also capable of temporarily buffing (and lowering) each of the six attributes a character has.



6.27 Will spawns in the game be static or dynamic?



Most spawns in the game will be dynamic; when players kill all the creatures associated with a nest of womp rats, then the nest is destroyed. New nests may appear elsewhere, but most likely will not be in the exact same location, and may not be of the same size either. In fact, something else might spawn in the old womp rat nest`s location. We hope this will reduce `camping.`



6.28 If a group of players settles a town, will they be able to set up defenses for it?



Yes, you can build walls, turrets, minefields, etc., to defend your towns.



6.29 Where will missions come from in the game?



The game generates missions for you, but players can also generate missions for one another, and these can be used as enforceable contracts. As an example from the movies, Han Solo agreed to ship spice for Jabba by a given date, but lost the spice (when boarded) and his failing to fulfill the contract led to a bounty hunter contract being taken out on him. This whole scenario is possible with players in every role.



6.30 Will I be able to operate large ships?



Players will be able to cooperatively operate large ships. This does not necessarily mean you will get to own your personal Imperial Star Destroyer. We have not yet publicly addressed how players will go about owning any kind of ship (whether it is through purchasing, joining a faction or winning in a card gameâ¦), and are not ready to talk very much about our space expansion at this early stage.



6.31 How do faction affiliations work?



Different actions confer faction points on you. Should you acquire a certain amount of faction points, you become eligible for membership in a faction. Until you actually declare membership with a faction, you are considered a sympathizer. You may only be a member of one faction, but may be a sympathizer to many.



6.32 Do I have to worry about the Empire taking over my successful business in the game?



No. It terms of continuity, it makes sense because the Empire is known for taking control of larger corporations, especially those that produce weapons, vehicles, etc. However, we decided that allowing the Empire to do this to players would be extremely frustrating and give a sense of defeat rather than achievement.



6.33 How will resource mining work?



You set up a facility that mines for you (instead of sitting online and repeatedly clicking in a location in order to gather resources). It is assumed to be largely automated--you only need to worry about it when it has reached its m