Star Wars Combine

A persistent browser-based Star Wars universe simulation.

Department of Defense. American Forces Information Service. Defense Visual Infor · Public domain

Star Wars Combine is a real-time massively multiplayer online browser game with a persistent world set in the Star Wars universe. Though not licensed by LucasArts, it is allowed to use the setting. In its March 2012 issue, PC Gamer ranked it 88th on its list of the Top 100 games of All Time. The game also acts as a platform for an international player community to connect through forums and IRC channels.

The game originated in December 1998 as a continuation of an earlier game called Star Wars Simulation, which ran from the mid-1990s until summer 1998. When the Sim Master—a role similar to a Game Master—disappeared, the servers shut down. Some players from that stranded community decided to create their own version, which eventually evolved into Star Wars Combine.

Gameplay is often described as daunting, and new players typically need advice and tips from more experienced players to perform basic actions. According to François Deliège, the game is not just an MMORPG but also offers what fans might consider the best simulation of the Star Wars universe. It includes game mechanics related to physics, economy, politics, and engineering, requiring both logic and social skills. These mechanics are defined by rules debated among players, written by the game administrator, and shared with the whole community. Common tasks can take hours, days, or even weeks, depending on complexity. During this time, players interact in forums and chat rooms to plan operations, role-play characters, trade on open or black markets, and organize events. Josh Augustine noted that the amount of free spontaneous creativity in the game is mind-numbing, surpassing even that of EVE Online. Players can choose to role-play constantly, occasionally, or not at all; some focus heavily on role-play with little in-game action, while others do the opposite.

In-game actions take time, and character creation is more complex than in similar simulations. Some veterans have played since the game’s launch. The slow, real-time pace is designed to give players in different time zones time to respond to events without being online constantly. A player’s character remains in the game even when the player is absent, so events like death are possible. Unlike in other simulations, character death is often permanent.

Quick Facts

Developer: SWC Programming Team
Platforms: Web browser
Released: December 3, 1998
Genre: MMORPG
Modes: Multiplayer

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

Star Wars Combine originated in December 1998 as a continuation of a game called Star Wars Simulation, which had been maintained between the mid-1990s and summer 1998. When the Sim Master (a term based on Game Master) disappeared and the servers were shut down, some players of that stranded community decided to create their own version of the game, which then evolved into Star Wars Combine. The game has its own various game mechanisms related to physics, economy, politics, and engineering in the universe, requiring both logic and socialization skills from players. All mechanisms are defined by game rules debated between players, written by the game administrator, and made available to the whole community. The game dynamics allow players to be what they want: they can roleplay, be in character all the time or not at all. Some players are heavily into roleplay and hardly do any in-game participation, while others focus on in-game actions only. In-game actions take time, and character creation is more complex than in other similar simulations. The slower, real-time pace is devised to allow players in various time zones to respond to events while not always online. The player's character is present in the game regardless of the player's presence, so results such as being killed are possible, and unlike in other simulations a character's death is often permanent. Players can create a new character after a short waiting period and begin again, minus all prior possessions and positions.

Reader's Guide

Since its creation in 1998, Star Wars Combine has seen a number of upgrades and differing rates of development by volunteers. It moved from a standalone program with web-based community space to a full browser-based online game over the years, facing difficulties due to inexperience with other coding languages, lack of funds, or other reasons. In recent years, features such as the ability to produce ships, vehicles, and gear in factories, basic Player vs Creature combat, and a canonized Galactic Map have been implemented. It was reportedly one of the first MMORPGs to implement a web service solution to its architecture in 2005. The simulation has been the subject of several academic studies, ranging from English literacy improvements in a role-playing environment to psychological studies on Internet communities. Two academic theses were based on this game and presented at the Second International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies. Star Wars Combine has also been cited in two papers from the International Game Developers Association for its programming choices and security measures. The game is often described as daunting, and help, suggestions, and tips from more experienced players are frequently required to perform basic actions.