Star Wars Galaxies

Star Wars Galaxies was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for Microsoft Windows, set in the Star Wars universe. It was created by Sony Online Entertainment and released by LucasArts, hitting store shelves on June 26, 2003. The game received several expansions and updates through 2005. Its servers were shut down on December 15, 2011, when the licensing contract expired. Since then, various private emulator projects have emerged, aiming to let players experience different versions of the game.

**Gameplay**

**Races and Character Creation** Players could choose from ten species: Human, Twi'lek, Zabrak, Wookiee, Trandoshan, Rodian, Mon Calamari, Sullustan, and Ithorian. Bothans were not playable at launch but were added later with the 'Rage of the Wookiees' expansion in 2005. After creation, players could hire Entertainers to alter their appearance, unlocking more options than those available at the start. Most visual aspects could be changed later, but species and gender were permanent.

**Professions** At launch, there were 34 professions, including six basic ones: Artisan, Brawler, Entertainer, Marksman, Medic, and Scout. These led to 24 advanced professions. Each profession had a tree-like skill structure with a Novice level, four independent branches (each with four levels), and a Master level requiring completion of all branches. Skills were purchased with experience points earned through related activities. After the New Game Enhancement update in November 2005, the number of professions was cut to nine: Jedi (now selectable at character creation), Bounty Hunter, Smuggler, Commando, Spy, Officer, Medic, Entertainer, and Trader. Progress was divided into three experience groups: combat, crafting, and entertaining. Characters could also pursue three optional side professions: Pilot, Chronicler, and Politician.

**Combat** At release, each character and creature had three pools—Health, Action, and Mind (HAM)—representing physical and mental reserves. Depleting any one pool caused the character to faint, so players had to carefully manage their actions. With the New Game Enhancement update, ground combat became real-time, similar to a first-person shooter. Players aimed a targeting reticule and clicked to fire. Auto-aim and auto-fire were available, but players who avoided them got a higher chance of maximum damage.