Star Wars MMORPG Finds a Name

I like the name that LucasArts chose for their in-the-making-by-Verant (of EQ infamy) MMORPG. Here’s the crux of the press release by the momma jomma themselves:

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — November 29, 2000 — LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC today announced Star Wars Galaxies as the formal series brand name for their massively multiplayer online role-playing games. On November 30 LucasArts, in conjunction with Sony Online Entertainment Inc., will launch the game’s official information site, www.starwarsgalaxies.com.

The Star Wars Galaxies Web site will debut with three active community relations message boards and a list of frequently asked questions fielded by the game’s development team. Each message board will provide a forum for feedback to and from the Star Wars Galaxies’ team in the following areas: A General Discussion Board for all game-related issues, a Developers Board for game development queries, and a Role Playing Board for “in character” discussion.

“We see this Web site as an important step toward building a strong community for the Star Wars Galaxies line of games,” says Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. “We firmly believe that consistent and open communication with fans will be one of the keys to the success of the Star Wars Galaxies experience.”

“We’re thrilled to provide Star Wars fans and the Station’s users with a forum that will generate enthusiasm for the game,” says Kelly Flock, president of Sony Online Entertainment. “This is one way fans can be involved in the creative process of developing the highly anticipated Star Wars Galaxies online series of games.”

The Star Wars Galaxies game series is being developed by Verant Interactive, a division of Sony Online Entertainment, and will be distributed and sold at retail by LucasArts and available for play exclusively online at The Station@sony.com (www.station.sony.com). The game is expected to go into first round testing in late 2001.

Names can really make or break a game… though I don’t know of any conclusive tests on that yet… however I am certain of it. I think they chose a great one.