It's no surprise that LucasArts has issued a press release about Star Wars Galaxies just prior to E3. However, the major surprise here is the announcement that Galaxies will appear on PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles as well. This will give gamers a great chance to try out some of the upcoming multiplayer console features. Here's a quote from the press release:
Specific release dates for the Star Wars Galaxies-branded massively multiplayer games for the two next generation console platforms will be announced at a later time. This December LucasArts will release a Windows PC version of the game, developed by Sony Online Entertainment, titled Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided. The Star Wars Galaxies online game series is designed to immerse literally thousands of players into the rich Star Wars universe. The series will feature dynamic role-playing adventures across multiple planets during the classic Star Wars timeframe. Game play will offer a unique combination of combat, exploration, social interaction, specialized missions, and daring quests.
Urrggghh! I cringe at the sight of an Xbox controller. It's like a fart in a room that no-one wants to admit to...
What I want to know is if Nintendo, as presumed by many, announce their online strategy at E3, will that mean that they also get Galaxies? That would be a very ambitious move by Lucasarts and Verant. To have all next-gen consoles and PC users connected would cause HUGE problems but also be interesting to see the connectivity between consoles... Hmmm, but I doubt they will announce it for the Gamecube...
You never know! If the internet adaptor comes out for the Gameboy Advance, we could all be playing Galaxies on the move rather than being stuck by the weight of our overly bulky next-gen consoles (that comment was obviously thrown in the directions of MS's Breeze-Bloke (tm). Ah, the possibilites of online connectivity... :-)
Hold on, didn't we say that last year? (sigh!)
(and yes I am a beeing a bit pessimistic here... but hey i've had a bad day otherwise so...)
I, being a primarily PC owner, was looking forward to having this exclusive on-line world that PS2 and Xbox owners (being the scum of the earth that they are...) would not be allowed entry. However, now my plan to buy a new PC with Geforce 4 capabilities to play Galaxies has gone on the backburner along with all my excitement regarding the LEC announcements.
I AM a console-owner and have played on them along side my PC gaming life with great vigour. But no matter how many titles LEC decide to spread across consoles, this just waters down the quality. Look at Rogue Leader! Not some people's cup of tea but it IS console specific and that works. Obi Wan on the other hand, is appauling but should never have been released in the first place.
Playing on my Gamecube is pleasureable enough (as I have my Marios and Zeldas etc... :-) ) but PC gaming has changed. It's become awash with mediocre titles and f*cking FPS's!!! Jedi Knight 2 is amazing but come on people! Originality!!! Anyway...
I hope all the games at E3 from LEC turn out to be good. This would hopefully show that things are back on tracks. But for the moment, PC users are being shown the backdoor and won't be allowed back in for the time being.
My advice? Buy a Gamecube! No, not really... We have to see if the quality is there before they can rectify the problems. They have had a cashflow problem in that their titles have been received poorly. I have hope but it is only a glimmer where once was a shinning beacon...