Put the Pedal to the Metal in the Star Wars Galaxies™ Trading Card Game: The Shadow Syndicate Expansion

All-New Gameplay and Loot Cards Take the Flag this September

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. – SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 – Scheduled for release this September, the fourth expansion to the successful Star Wars Galaxies™ Trading Card Game from LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) allows players to boost their light or dark side deck with all-new vehicle based cards. The Shadow Syndicate introduces 10 new Shadows of the Empire story-arc scenarios putting players in the service of both an illicit Rebel swoop racing operation led by Dash Rendar as well as the sinister Prince Xizor as he attempts to steal Rebel prizes for his own benefit.

The Shadow Syndicate adds more than 200 new playable cards and more than 20 new loot cards to the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, bringing the total number of cards in the game to more than 1,400. The new playable cards will feature vehicle units that can:

• Grant additional movement bonuses to deliver units to battle quicker
• Move multiple units at once
• Redeploy units from one quest to another to either save potentially doomed units or reinforce others
• Play during combat to help your defending units

In addition, this expansion introduces new cards to the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, including:

• Expertise Trait Cards – Rouse additional support with Expertise cards! Unit cards with the new Expertise trait, such as the Leia Organa card, increase combat stats over time and allow players to acquire other benefits as they reach certain thresholds in their stats.
• New Loot Cards – More than 20 new loot cards will be available, including Starship Hangar, the Air-2 Racing swoop, and the ability to combine several loot items and create the awesome AT-AT house. Loot cards can be redeemed with an active account in good standing in the Star Wars Galaxies™ MMO.

As an added bonus, LucasArts and SOE will also kick off a summer sale event, where players of the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game can purchase ten booster pack bundles for a price of $10 (plus applicable taxes), a savings of 66% off the regular price. Starting on September 10th, players can purchase pack bundles from the Champions of the Force expansion, followed by Squadrons Over Corellia on September 11th and Galactic Hunters on September 12th.

The Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game 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 with an entirely new gameplay experience by combining the challenge of a trading card game with the adventures and community of a massively multiplayer online game. Players can build their own virtual decks to fight in story mode, and participate 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 automatically eligible to 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 build their decks quickly and easily.

Anyone wishing to try the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game 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 may be also be accessed from inside Star Wars Galaxies and is available to trial players as part 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™ and its first expansion, Star Wars Galaxies™ Jump to Lightspeed™. Available by download from www.StarWarsGalaxies.com, the 14-day trial gives players a chance to become a part of the Star Wars galaxy, and 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.

More information about the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game and its fourth release, The Shadow Syndicate, along with the game’s trial can be found at www.StarWarsGalaxies.com/tradingcardgame. 

###

About Star Wars Galaxies
Star Wars Galaxies, developed and published by LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment, is one of the longest-running and most popular online experiences, bringing gamers of all ages and skill levels together in the ultimate Star Wars journey. Begin aboard the Millennium Falcon helping Han Solo and Chewbacca fend off the notorious Darth Vader. Along the way, join with Star Wars characters on missions that span the galaxy. Ally with the Rebels to fight against the Galactic Empire, or join forces with the dark side and crush the Rebel scum. Heroic adventurers can seek their fortune in space or on the ground as a bounty hunter, smuggler, Jedi or a host of other unique Star Wars professions.


About LucasArts
LucasArts, a division of Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd., is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.


About Sony Online Entertainment
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games which have entertained millions of players around the globe. SOE creates and delivers compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchise EverQuest®, its successful online trading card game Legends of Norrath®, as well as the recent kids’ phenomenon Free Realms™, SOE continues to raise the bar for online gaming and players worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, with additional studios in Austin, Seattle, Denver, Tucson, and Taiwan, SOE has a slate of engaging, high-quality games currently in development across new genres for all platforms and audiences.


*Please visit http://starwarsgalaxies.station.sony.com/tradingcardgame/playforfree.vm for details. 


LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. Star Wars Galaxies is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. © 2002-2009 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. & ® or TM as indicated. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Star Wars™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

ESRB Rating: Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game: E10+: Mild Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence
ESRB Rating: Star Wars Galaxies: Teen: Violence

Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB