Software:Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed

From HandWiki
Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed
Developer(s)Sony Online Entertainment
Publisher(s)LucasArts
Platform(s)Windows
Release
  • NA: October 27, 2004
  • UK: November 5, 2004[1]
Genre(s)Massively multiplayer online role-playing
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed was the first expansion to the massively multiplayer online role-playing game Star Wars Galaxies released on October 27, 2004. The expansion added space-based content to the basic, "ground-based" game, along with the option to create characters of the Sullustan and Ithorian species. Characters are allowed to choose one of three piloting professions, each one based on the character's Galactic Civil War faction—Rebel, Imperial, or Freelance, leading them to be either opposed to or allied with Grand Inquisitor Ja'ce Yiaso. This profession is separate from the character's ground profession, although earning experience points in space will also give the character experience points toward a ground combat profession. Customers who pre-ordered the expansion received a limited-edition Flash Speeder as an untradeable player mount.

This expansion was later made free to subscribers. It is either installed with the base game in new installations or downloaded as a patch for those who purchased the base game before the Starter Kit was released.

Playable Areas

The playable areas for space content include twelve space sectors: Tatooine, Karthakk (containing Lok), Naboo (containing both Naboo and its moon, Rori), Corellia (containing Corellia and Talus), Dantooine, Kashyyyk, Ord Mantell, Yavin, Endor, Dathomir, Kessel, and Deep Space. Each sector is a cube 16 kilometers on a side, and each contains at least one of the ten ground planets, except Kessel, Ord Mantell, and Deep Space, which are for high-level space gameplay only.

With the Rage of the Wookiees expansion it also released the Kashyyyk space sector. Ord Mantell was added in the Chapter 8 update, later on in the game's life.

Space Combat

Space combat in Galaxies is quite different than ground combat. Players must aim at their targets (often needing to "lead" their target in compensation for the target's movement) and click a button on the mouse or joystick to fire. Success in space combat is somewhat dependent on player skill. Grinding for ship upgrades is a significant factor in your success.

Customization

As characters advance in their piloting professions, they gain access to a widening variety of tactics, starship chassis, and starship components. Their ships can be completely customized with components looted from enemies or crafted by shipwrights. Available chassis include the X-Wing and Y-Wing for Rebels, TIE Fighters and TIE Bombers for Imperials, and new Hutt and Black Sun ship designs for Freelancers. Characters who have mastered a piloting profession get access to PoB (Player on Board) ship designs such as the famed YT-1300. PoB ships allow characters to walk around the interiors (which can be decorated just like a building on the ground) and man additional shipboard stations such as laser turrets.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings77%[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
GameSpot7.6/10[3]
IGN7.9/10[4]

It was nominated for GameSpot's 2004 "Best Expansion Pack" award, which went to Software:Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots.[5] During the 8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Jump to Lightspeed for "Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year",[6] which was ultimately awarded to World of Warcraft.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Star Wars Galaxies: Jump To Lightspeed". https://www.eurogamer.net/games/star-wars-galaxies-jump-to-lightspeed. 
  2. ↑ "Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed Reviews". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/920439-star-wars-galaxies-jump-to-lightspeed/index.html. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  3. ↑ Calvert, Justin (2004-11-02). "Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed Review". GameSpot. http://gamespot.com/pc/rpg/starwarsgalaxiesjumptolightspeed/review.html. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  4. ↑ Butts, Steve (2004-11-05). "Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed Review". IGN. http://pc.ign.com/articles/563/563995p1.html. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  5. ↑ The GameSpot Editors (January 5, 2005). "Best and Worst of 2004". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050307021607/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/. 
  6. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGame=248. 
  7. ↑ "2005 Awards Category Details Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGameAwardType=74. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari





Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Star_Wars_Galaxies:_Jump_to_Lightspeed&oldid=3955319"