LucasArts and SOE Releases Galaxies Online TCG Company: LucasArts Product: Star Wars Galaxies Online TCG Today, LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment launched the Star Wars Galaxies Online Trading Card Game. The first release of this in-game TCG, "Champions of the Force" is now available. PRESS RELEASE AUGUST 27, SAN FRANCISCO - LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment announced today the launch of the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game and its first release: Champions of the Force. Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game: Champions of the Force marks the first ever Star Wars trading card game offered exclusively online. Available to both current and former Star Wars Galaxies subscribers*, the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game provides players 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, Imperial, Jedi or Sith; Enhance their digital card decks with 15-card Booster Packs; 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 for players with a Star Wars Galaxies account*; Challenge their skills in story-based solo-play or against other Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game players in epic one-on-one matches, cooperative Heroic Encounters, and official tournaments. In addition, all Star Wars Galaxies subscribers with current, valid, paid accounts in good standing are eligible to automatically receive five digital trading card Booster Packs each month included with their paid Star Wars Galaxies subscription at no additional cost, providing a simple way for them to quickly and easily build their decks. More than 250 unique virtual cards are available for players to collect in the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, all of which feature beautifully detailed original Star Wars­ artwork depicting scenes from the story-based solo mode. In the story mode, players will battle through ten scenarios that revolve around an ancient Jedi holocron, the Codex of Tython, which players must work to reassemble and ultimately use against their enemies. Anyone wishing to try the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game: Champions of the Force can do so at no charge through a downloadable trial that includes limited access to a tutorial and practice games with a provided virtual Starter card deck. The Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game: Champions of the Force may be also be accessed from inside Star Wars Galaxies, including trial participants while taking advantage of the Star Wars Galaxies 14-Day Trial. This trial, offered at no charge for up to two consecutive weeks, also includes all the content of the base game, Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided(tm) and its first expansion, . Available by download from www.StarWarsGalaxies.com, the 14-Day Trial gives players a chance to meet and fight with or against their favorite Star Wars characters as they explore this massive online universe filled with thousands of other Star Wars fans. As a bonus for trying the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game: Champions of the Force, players are eligible to receive a loot card that can be redeemed in Star Wars Galaxies for the choice of either a Rebel or Imperial flight suit*. Plus, becoming an active, current, paying Star Wars Galaxies subscriber, after trying the Trading Card Game, offers additional benefits including: One Starter Deck of their choice: Jedi, Rebel, Imperial or Sith; A Cybernetic Experience Chip, which gives a 20% experience point increase that can be used up to 50 times in Star Wars Galaxies when redeemed*; The complete third expansion, Star Wars Galaxies: Rage of the Wookiees. All current and former* Star Wars Galaxies subscribers with valid accounts in good standing are able to access and play the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game and will be able to purchase additional booster packs and starter decks through Sony Online Entertainment's Station Store at www.store.station.sony.com. As a thank you to players who make their first purchase of at least $9.99 of Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game products through the Station Store, they are also eligible to receive a one time bonus loot card, Han's Hydrospanner, which gives a 20% increase on all experience points earned for one hour when redeemed in the Star Wars Galaxies MMO*. If the Star Wars Galaxies subscriber wants to redeem this loot card for a character that has already reached level 90, this loot card will grant the character one random collection item instead. More information about the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game and its first release, Champions of the Force, along with the game's trial can be found at www.StarWarsGalaxies.com/tradingcardgame. *Active or former Star Wars Galaxies or Station Access(tm) subscription required. Former Star Wars Galaxies or Station Access subscribers with accounts in good standing are also able to access and play the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game. Star Wars Galaxies or Station Access accounts no longer in good standing may result in inability to play, use or access Star Wars Galaxies trading cards. Booster packs, starter packs, loot or promotional cards received as part of a promotion or included at no additional cost with valid, current, paid Star Wars Galaxies subscription are non-transferable and non-tradeable. Redeemed items are non-transferable and non-tradeable; may be limited to one per account; access to redeemed items available only with current, paid Star Wars Galaxies subscription in good standing or with Star Wars Galaxies trial account (but only for duration of such limited trial account--ie, up to 14 days). Internet connection required. Players are responsible for all applicable internet fees. Additional recurring subscription fees apply to Star Wars Galaxies and Station Access accounts. Bonus loot card (and items redeemed from such cards) limited to one per account. Items are non-tradable and non-transferable. Booster pack cards included at no additional cost with valid, active Star Wars Galaxies subscription are non-transferable and non-tradeable. Additional starter packs and booster packs sold separately. Star Wars Galaxies and the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game are digital files only. No physical boxes, trading cards, disks, software, documentation or other tangible materials will be sent to you. -J.R. Nip, GameVortex Communications AKA Chris Meyer Related Links: Star Wars Galaxies Online TCG Official Home Page Star Wars Galazies Official Home Page SOE Station Store