Sony Online Entertainment today announced its plans to shut down Star Wars Galaxies before the end of the year.
The long-running MMO first launched in 2003 and has undergone some big changes over the years. It received several expansion packs, but one update in particular, known as ‘New Game Enhancements,’ ditched the game’s profession system and allowed anyone to play the role of a Jedi. It was widely criticized, though it apparently wasn’t bad enough to drive all of its players away as the game has continued to operate for more than five-and-a-half years.
The upcoming shutdown, taking place on December 15, 2011, will put an end to both the MMO and Trading Card Game, which was an aspect of the game released as a part of an update in 2008. The official site describes it as a “very difficult decision, but SOE and LucasArts have mutually agreed that the end of 2011 is the appropriate time to end the game.”
