Security Office Report #81 is out, Idiots and motorcycles, go together like beer and pizza.

"During the week of San Diego Comic-Con, a select number of people had the opportunity to play through ‘The Esseles,’ a Flashpoint that Republic heroes will be able to experience for themselves early in their hero’s journey. In the Flashpoint, players must group together to protect a high-ranking diplomat and fend off Imperial boarding parties.

For everyone who was unable to join us in San Diego, we’ve put together a new video featuring developer commentary from Director of Production Dallas Dickinson. Check out our new Developer Walkthrough, and then secure your place in a galaxy far, far away by pre-ordering your copy of Star Wars™: The Old Republic™!"

Security Office Report #80 is out, FREE INSIDE! Box O Stupid People!

"...The uneasy peace established by the Treaty of Coruscant is broken and both the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire build their armies. As both sides prepare for open war, a new generation of heroes must rise up to meet the challenges of a volatile age, declaring their allegiances and fighting for what they believe in..."

"BioWare, LucasArts and Electronic Arts are excited to announce that they have begun taking pre-orders for Star Wars™: The Old Republic™! Pre-Order now to get Early Game Access and as an added bonus you’ll receive a Color Stone to change your weapon effect! Supplies are limited and the order in which you pre-order and redeem your code at The Old Republic’s Code Redemption Center is the order in which we let players in during Early Game Access - so don’t delay! Visit the Pre-Order FAQs for more details.

Three versions of the game are available for pre-order..."

Security Office Report #79 is out, Wanted: Machine Gun That Shoots iPhones.

"San Diego Comic-Con is the single largest pop culture event in North America, attracting over one hundred thousand passionate comic book, movie and video game fans each year. This year is looking to be another big year for the event and both BioWare and LucasArts will be there to make some announcements about Star Warsâ„¢: The Old Republicâ„¢, and once more give people the chance to get their hands on the game.

At 3:30PM on Thursday, July 21st our panel for Star Wars: The Old Republic will be held inside room #6BCF. During the panel we will be answering questions from the audience, giving away some items, showing new gameplay footage and making some announcements!..."

Fellow EHers,

Please be reminded that XO SA Rapier has already started a pre-launch guild for the EH in TOR.  Please sign up and transfer all together with us at launch to the same server to get a headstart in the game!

>Emperor's Hammer TOR Guild: http://www.swtor.com/guilds/5829/emperors-hammer

FYI, also from the latest buzz (rumors) I have heard, the release is looking to be this fall, maybe in the Oct 14-16 timeframe.  Personally, I think it will be out well in time for the XMas shopping season. October is not far away, folks...!

So, signup and great ready to stand with your comrades in the most anticipated MMO in the past 2-3 years!

"Ferio, Tego" ("I Strike, I Defend")

From: http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110715

"In this week’s Studio Insider, Senior Video Editor Brian Arndt takes us behind the scenes on the creation of the opening cinematics for each of the character classes. Be sure to also check out the Community Q&A, where Senior Audio Artist Scott Morton answers some of your questions relating to the audio production in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™..."

"We've heard from SOE on the closure of Star Wars Galaxies, now LucasArts has a statement to make to the player community, too..."

"Sony Online Entertainment has given its official message to fans upset over Star Wars Galaxies' impending closure this December..."

"Passionate Players Petition to Save the Galaxy

The impending closure of SOE's Star Wars Galaxies has inspired a number of dedicated community members to strike back like the Empire, only without the blowing up of any planets..."

Security Office Report #78 is out, Setting off Piles of fireworks, for your saftey.

"As our game testers play The Old Republic™ and we track their characters, they produce a lot of data - on everything from how long it takes them to move across a planet, to where they stop and look at the scenery. We bundle all this data together into what we call ‘metrics’..."

"By now you all know that Star Wars Galaxies will be switched off in the coming months, but what you might not know is that it was destined to be turned off in 2012 according to their current contract. Also, the game has already had its "end date" extended twice, far beyond the original planned five year license.

"A lot of people don't know about this because we don't talk about it, but we've already extended the game end a couple of times. When we originally approached LucasArts back in 2001 for the original license, we planned it to be a five year window for the game. And that seemed like a hell of a long time! This was back in the early days of EverQuest with had only been out for just over a year, so we didn't know about the shelf life of these things."

Read more: http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/714362/the-death-of-star-wars-galaxies-sony-online-entertainment-president-john-smedley-talks/#ixzz1RcjZOfvm"

While many of us have known of its existence (www.sgemu.com), not many folks have tried the SWGEmu as it has had a reputation for being unfinished/unpolished and we always had the paid subscriptions to SWG anyway.  However, VA Tomaas recently emailed me a G4TV article on the project, I figured I would share it with you all...considering the recent SWG shutdown announcement.

As emailed by VA Tomaas:

"...I've been reading some of the other news links that are flowing through and I thought this one from the G4 site might interest you and the Fringe: http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/714000/star-wars-galaxies-private-server-brings-swg-players-a-new-hope/..."

My thanks to VA Tomaas for bringing this project back into our focus!  While I am not sure where the project stands, we will do some research on behalf of the EH, which means one or more of us trying it out...But I understand it is still active and actually thriving more these days.

As we learn more, I will post updates...

Security Office Report #76 is out, Now with Embeded Video.

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeoN-ED-QXA&feature=share

"An official response from the author of the Do Not Permanently Shut Down Star Wars Galaxies petition to several news outlets regarding reports of a lawsuit being engineered by disgruntled SWG players, as well as the media's condescending tone towards Star Wars fans, and SWG players in general.

To sign the petition, go to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveswg/

To view my comments on SOE, Lucas Arts, and the petition in general, click here.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveswg/blog

To join the Official Save Star Wars Galaxies Facebook group, click here.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_239295849415710

To contact me via email, mail to jasonswift1977@gmail.com"

Not the most flattering piece for us die hard SWG players, and old time Star Wars fans alike, but there is a mention of the fans request to consider "alternatives to SWG's shutdown"...Including our recommended alternative, the 'free to play' (F2P) business model.  Hopefully, some higher ups at SOE/LA finally will get the memo...

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw-SOBlAzvg&feature=feedu

Also, YahooNews picked up the story on Wednesday 6/29/11 and reported on SOE's recent efforts to keep the petition to Save SWG from gaining ground: http://news.yahoo.com/star-wars-galaxies-fan-petition-blocked-sony-soe-125103769.html

From: http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110701

"As your character progresses in Star Warsâ„¢: The Old Republicâ„¢, you will gain experience and strength, learning new skills and earning more advanced gear.

The Bounty Hunter is feared across the galaxy for his ability to track elusive prey from the bustling metropolises of the core worlds to the further reaches of known space. As his targets become more evasive and his enemies more powerful, the Bounty Hunter will learn new skills and abilities to match the advanced weapons and armor he discovers during his travels.

Watch some of the paths along which the Bounty Hunter can progress to get a brief glimpse of the armors and abilities available as he grows in wealth and glory..."

FYI for general info on our pre-launch EH Guild ( http://www.swtor.com/guilds/5829/emperors-hammer ) and how guilds will be handled pre/post launch: http://www.swtor.com/guilds/faq.