Star Wars Galaxies shutting down on December 15, “galaxy-ending event” planned for final week

LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment have stamped anexpiration date on Star Wars Galaxies. Despite early assurances and rosy optimism among its most loyal players that the long running MMO would be kept alive to duke it out with BioWare's upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic, the studios have decided the eight-year-old online game willend with a %26ldquo;galaxy-ending event%26rdquo; this December 15.

%26ldquo;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,%26rdquo; reads a new message to Star Wars Galaxies members. %26rdquo;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.%26rdquo;

According to the message, some services have already been shut down. 3, 6 and 12-month subscription packs are no longer available, and the Trading Card Game store has been shuttered. Come September 15th, subscriptions to both the MMO and the Trading Card Game will also be taken off the virtual market.

To soften the blow, Sony and LucasArts have promised to send the game off in style in its final week with a %26ldquo;galaxy-ending event%26rdquo; which will offer some degree of closure to those who have stuck around. Star Wars Galaxies members with accounts in good standinghave also been offeredfree,full-fledged access to some ofSony's other online games from October 15th to December 31st. Eligible titles include Free Realms, Star Wars: Clone Adventures, EverQuest I and II, and DC Universe Online.

Full details on the closure, and what's in store for the die-hard fans that stick it out, areposted here.

June 27, 2011