LucasArts has made a big announcement about Star Wars Galaxies for all of you PC users! Yesterday they announced April 15, 2003 as the confirmed release date for the massively multiplayer online game Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided. This highly awaited first installment, which combines Star Wars, one of the world's most popular brands, with the proven game development expertise of Sony Online Entertainment, is expected to revolutionize online gaming by broadening its appeal to a mass audience.

So great is anticipation for Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, the game's Internet community has presently grown to nearly 400,000 registered members on its official web site, www.starwarsgalaxies.com, since the site was launched in November, 2000. This represents one of the largest-ever fan communities amassed for any game prior to retail availability.

“Through the launch of Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided this spring, which we liken to that of a blockbuster movie opening, LucasArts will deliver on its promise to transform online gaming into mainstream entertainment,” says Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. “We are extremely confident about the long term strength of the Star Wars Galaxies brand and its potential to redefine online gaming."

“As the leader in the exploding online gaming industry, we are applying our expertise in massively multiplayer online product development and technology to ensure the long term success for Star Wars Galaxies and give Star Wars fans the experience they are looking for,” says John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment.

Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided for Windows PC will simultaneously immerse thousands of players into a persistent online recreation of the Star Wars universe, as portrayed in the classic Star Wars film trilogy. The series will feature dynamic adventures throughout the galaxy during the classic Star Wars timeframe. Game play will offer a unique combination of combat, exploration, social interaction, specialized missions, and daring quests.

Beyond this April's release of Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, LucasArts and Sony Online are planning to expand the gaming experience to encompass space combat and galactic exploration.

Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided recently entered the second phase of beta testing and is nearly system and feature complete. The third phase of beta is expected to begin in early 2003.