Star Wars Galaxies Memory Book (download here)

Download the Star Wars Memory Book here free

In case you missed it, Star Wars Galaxies has ended - and unless you have bothan spies working for you, it's very difficult to find older information or even the Memory Book - which was SOE's official online tribute to the game.

Problem is, the domain and forums have been collapsed- forwarding to the SOE main site.

[This is the reason so many of the posts here have vaporized images.  I will work to re-edit and add photos where they were.  Just give me a little time and patience, and this place will seem fully functional again.]

The "Memory Book" has basically been a memory itself; unless someone was lucky enough to download it.  I finally found a place to house mine, so anyone who missed out has a chance to relive some of the SWG greatness; whether a newer or veteran player.

Download here:
http://swgmb.4shared.com

It's Hip to be T Square(d)

 In case you don't know, Teesquared (or T2 as most people text him).  I even got to hang out with him recently at a recent Nomad Market event.  See?

He was exceptionally kind, and didn't even mind my Corellian attempts at humor.  Maybe my reputation preceded me - but that would be egotistical to say.

Anyway...

The point is Teesquared was featured in a great interview for Massively entitled Squaring off with SWG's producer, Teesquared.  The two page feature originally posted on October 5th not only talks about stuff like the new GCW setup, Trading Card Game teases, and the revamped rare loot system but also explains how committed SWG is for 2011 (and a certain article tells me SWG will be around longer than many assume) - including subjects such as the Galactic Moon Festival, Wookiee Life Day, and also alluding to a Nightsister [themepark] revamp: The Witches of Dathomir.  Oh yeah - one other thing...  Player-designed instances?  :)

You can read the article in its entirety if you hit the jump, but you can find the actual link here:
http://www.massively.com/2010/10/05/squaring-off-with-swgs-producer-teesquared

Paper Star Wars music video

Grab a box of tissues, because this thing sort of sneaks up on you...

The song is "Tatooine" and the artist is Jerry Messersmith.  An acoustic tale of...  Well you have to watch it to find out - but I warned you.  :)


[hit the jump to see lyrics below]



Click here to learn more about the song...

Galactic Moon Festival (Friday Feature)

Friday Feature – The Galactic Moon Festival Returns! - 10/15/2010

When the crypt goes creak and the tombstones outside the cantina quake, you'll know it's time for the Galactic Moon Festival! Beginning October 21st, adventurous and strong souls can take a shuttle to Moenia and Mos Eisley to celebrate the return of the Galactic Moon Festival... if they dare!

Galactic Moon Festival

In an effort to gain more support from the planets Naboo and Tatooine, Jabba the Hutt has decided to throw the annual Galactic Moon Festival once more so everyone can celebrate the horrifyingly awesome haunts of the season. Jabba has grown tired of all the love festivals, celebrations of life, and other saccharine events. Thus, it is my duty to report to you that he has taken it upon himself to throw the scariest festival of the year!

In order to participate in what is sure to be the ghoulest happening this year, all that citizens have to do is visit the Galactic Moon Festival Organizers who can be found outside of the Moenia and Mos Eisley Starport (waypoints 4790 -4777 and 3523 -4806 respectively).

Here, citizens can obtain a costume to use for trick or treating, purchase special Galactic Moon Festival items, the ability to craft new items, and find out more about the festival.

(more information - and possible spoilers - after the jump)

Amazing fanfilm (in 3-D)

Strap on those glasses, because that image proves I'm not lying.

Whip out those old-school 3D glasses (with the red and blue) if you want to be astounded.  This is the story of that jettisoned shipment which Jabba was so upset about- taking place before Episode 4 (A New Hope).

"This is the winner of "Best Animation" from the Star Wars Fan Film Movie Challenge, sponsored by Lucasfilm."

The Solo Adventures 3D from Daniel L Smith on Vimeo.


Just in case you don't have the glasses, the regular version is below.  But I assure you, the 3D really works and is very cool.  The crawl comes right off the screen.

Citizens I'd like to have

Don't get me wrong...  I enjoy Solaria's citizens VERY much.

But wouldn't these people give the city just that much more flavor?  At least those who behave inside city limits.

The images below are from Greg Peltz.  His work can be found here:

http://gregpeltz.blogspot.com

Star Tours 2 (irl - sort of)

For all of you who remember Star Tours, it's coming back in a big way if you haven't heard..

Funny enough, there has been a Star Tours: Solaria chronicle floating around.  If you'd like to try it out, just contact me.

For now...enjoy this teaser video.

Expanding the community

The recently-ended polls have taught me a couple things.  Citizens want more activities (roleplay/events).  They also want city meetings.

Citizen opinion:
1.)  85%  want Solaria to actively encourage roleplaying.
2.)  84%  want options for a city meeting.
3.)  Most citizens don't want imperial sister cities.

 Here is my proposal (feedback encouraged):

Combining the first two, I'm planning for a day (still thinking Mondays) each week to hold a city gathering.  It can be for citizens AND 'outlanders' to get together and have fun; and doubling as a city meeting via the channel for citizens only.

In addition, I can advertise it in the city message as well as spread the word to other mayors also.  This can also open the opportunity for a different host each gathering and keep up the atmosphere.

Solaria also has an opportunity to carve in a niche all its own.  So many want to roleplay or learn the art, but are shy or afraid to try.  It's what gave me the revelation to make Solaria a 'helper rp' city.  What would that mean?  People can test their rp chops, get constructive advice on styles (even bios), or roleplay without ridicule...which brings me to another item I want to bring up...



Solaria, Rori should be a 'clean' rp city.
I don't know if this has been brought up anywhere, but every roleplay city I have seen pop up has been based in something secretive, illegal, imperial, or illicit.  Ever since Eisley's "scum and villainy" diatribe, I have seen overbearing policing or smuggling/slaving dens.  If you want something more stepped up; smuggly; sithy; slavie... my advice is to travel to the city of Darkside Realms, Rori.

Why am I bringing this city up?  Because not only is it just southwest of Solaria, it's also a great city doing it right in the 'dark' way.  If it's imperial or illegal, you can find it in Darkside Realm.  It was formerly Dying Slowly (a take on an iconic SW city) which has been a more prominent haven since former militia member Zeranna has become its current mayor.

In fact, I have been working with Zeranna to make Solaria's citizens welcome in their metropolis despite their imperial flagging.  Since I want people to 'keep it clean' in Solaria, Darkside Realm is the place to soil up those hands.  Just don't cause any trouble there since their security is some of the toughest out there.

This doesn't mean I decided on it being an official sister city, but it is a definite affiliation so long as Zeranna deems Solaria as being in worthy status.  None of this is in stone yet, so all input will be taken into consideration.  There is always an angle I haven't thought of, so this is why I turn to the community for input.

2010.04.01 Showcase

Making good on my promise, here are some videos to amaze you.

First is footage of capitol ships in action. Ever wanted to dock your ship and step into another? Here's your chance. It is Imperial skewed but we all know Star Destroyers are one of the most impressive ships out there; if not merely the largest in SWG.


Now it's time to lower our altitude. Let's head to the Yarith sector and examine a game expansion called City of the Skies...


And now the bad news. It's April 1st. These are not in game, nor have they been alluded to in future development. It would be fantastic if so, but alas.

Please don't look at this as a negative commentary towards SWG. If you got excited even just a little bit, this means you also feel how much potential SWG still has.

Let's all focus on the positive and lobby towards improving on what is already in game. Rollbacks are impossible...and the state of things now are way better than they were a few years back.

To leave you, this is a strange video which was purported to have been true for a short amount of time. Truth or fiction? You make the call.



Happy April Guerfel Day!

Restuss, Rori lore

This week I decided to honor some of the people who returned by this little look back at the Battle of Restuss.  This is the closest you can come to experiencing Restuss without a time machine or getting ganked by unethical combatants.

First is a fanfilm showing the pre-battle state and what has become of the city presently.  It was made by mstamper [character/server unknown].  The second is an official account of the battle itself [via LucasArts] from a certain protocol droid who isn't TC-14.  The droid does ramble about expertise system after the four minute mark; but still entertaining.

Closing it out is a minute's worth of compressed sky battle footage during the Restuss siege; made by trowax [Scylla, character unknown].

Hope you enjoy it all, and please contact/comment with your own links and opinions (as well as anything you wish to share).

Politics in Bestine

Some know it, others don't.  There's an election in Bestine, Tatooine which anyone can vote in: the galactic grudge match of Victor Visalis vs. Sean Trenwell.

Both can be found inside of the Capitol Building of Bestine, Tatooine: -1131 -3614


Bestine of current day is a stately gem of Imperial politics. Before the arrival of the Empire, Bestine was primarily a farming and mining community, but it has since become the seat of Imperial power on Tatooine. As a result, Bestine is now the most cosmopolitan and cultured Tatooine settlement.

The basis is voting for the right fit of candidate for you: each having pros and cons. Whoever wins the election can bestow a gift to those voting in the candidate's favor (and maybe even a side quest).

Want to learn more? (click below for the whole story)
http://starwarsgalaxies.station.sony.com/en/players/news_archive.vm?id=68688

To the Moon and Back

Time for another "Star Wars Saturday" as I had been calling it to myself.

This week is another fanfilm from Star Wars Galaxy. It comes from a good friend by the name of Teryn; but was shot by his toon Selendus. Actually it's a music video tribute for the song "To the Moon & Back" from Savage Garden rather than a straight fanfilm.

Not only do I think it's a great departure from the usual fighting videos, but it was recolored and has a little tale of love, loss, and the Empire (though not exactly in that order). He can be contacted in-game as either Teryn or Selendus.

Another tidbit... I was one of the actors in this video: not only playing one of the people, but also using my SoroSuub (named Tour of Beauty) which I even got to fly for a shot or two.



The Icostumes I wore are now inside Solaria's city hall, so take a look at them when in the neighborhood to see them up-close.

Please visit the profile for Selendus to rate the video or subscribe to his channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Selendus

Who is Dave Berry and why watch his home video?

To keep in a "cinematic" spirit I wanted to show some old home movies.

Well Dave Berry's home movies have frames like this...

That's because Dave Berry is a man who just happened to work in a company called ILM. And if you don't know what that means...then buddy, you are logging into the wrong galaxy. :)

This is a compilation of the original Star Wars movie's visual effects; where Han shoots first and Jabba existed in name only. if you look fast you'll see basically everyone who has worked on at least one movie with special effects you have liked in the last couple decades with their names popping on screen fast when the image pauses for posterity.

Not to hype this vid anymore but see that TIE above go boom, a Falcon 360, and even some of the guy playing around with the most famous starfield ever put on film.

You'll have to click the link to watch "5757" but I promise you any Star Wars fan will be in awe seeing it. And by the way, there's a "trench run" that didn't make it to the final film.

http://www.vimeo.com/5494280
Enjoy!