The First Release of the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, "Champions of the Force" to be Released Summer 2008; In-Game Fifth Anniversary Events to be held Throughout the Summer
The release of Champions of the Force marks the first ever Star Wars trading card game offered exclusively online. Available only through a valid, active, fully-paid subscription to Star Wars Galaxies, Champions of the Force provides Star Wars Galaxies subscribers an entirely new gameplay experience by combining the challenge of a trading card game with the adventures and community of the massively multiplayer game. For the first time online, players can:
- Choose between the light and dark sides of the Force and build their own Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game decks to fight virtual matches for the Rebel or Imperial factions;
- Challenge their skills in story-based solo-play or against other Star WarsGalaxies Trading Card Game players in epic one-on-one matches, cooperative Heroic Encounters, and official tournaments;
- Find more than 20 "loot" cards in the first release, Champions of the Force that can be redeemed for fantastic virtual items for use within the Star Wars Galaxies massively multiplayer game;
- Adventure in Star Wars Galaxies and collect desirable cards that enhance their virtual trading card game deck.
More information on the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game and its first release, Champions of the Force, can be found here.
In addition to the upcoming release of the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment are celebrating the fifth anniversary of Star WarsGalaxies with several in-game events.
Beginning this week and continuing through July 22 in Star WarsGalaxies, players can gather with others to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the game through virtual "Empire Day" festivities. Featuring notable Star Wars characters and events, players of all factions can experience festivities in the cities of Theed and Coronet that include:
- The debut of two new prominent in-game statues: the Emperor in Theed, and Yoda in Coronet, both accompanied by new vendors to distribute celebratory buffs that enhance the players' in-game characters;
- Regularly scheduled Imperial parades with appearances by Darth Vader;
- Appearances by Princess Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca;
- In-game fireworks.
In addition, all Star Wars Galaxies players will receive several in-game items to commemorate the fifth anniversary, as part of their regular subscription to the game:
- A Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back virtual poster for decorating an in-game home or player structure;
- New, wearable goggles inscribed with a "V," in honor of the fifth anniversary for use by an in-game character;
- Plus, during the first week of the in-game festivities, community members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite Star Wars Galaxies Fifth Anniversary Fan Art Contest submissions at www.StarWarsGalaxies.com. Both the winning Rebel and Imperial fan art submissions may then be added as in-game virtual posters to Star Wars Galaxies in honor of the Fifth Anniversary.
