In A Galaxy Not So Far Away: REFUNDS

EPISODE VII: REVENGE OF THE GAMERS IT IS A TIME OF UPHEAVAL FOR THE SONY ONLINE EMPIRE. IN A FUTILE ATTEMPT TO PRODUCE ANOTHER BANTHA CASH COW IN THE STAR WARS FRANCHISE, SONY HAS REVERSED COURSE WITH THE GAMER REBELS IN HOT PURSUIT. WITH X-WING FIGHTERS BLAZING THEIR LASER CANNONS AND WOOKIES HOWLING, THE SONY EMPIRE HAS AGREED TO TERMS WITH THE GAMER ALLIANCE… Sony Online Entertainment has recently announced plans to refund the purchase price for anyone who bought the expansion pack: “Star Wars Galaxies: The Trials of Obi-Wan.” Why in Mustafar would they do such a thing, you ask? Apparently, the complaints and dissatisfaction with the game have reached galactic proportions. According to a policy statement released by SOE, “On November 3rd we announced our exciting new game enhancements for Star Wars Galaxies. We believe these modifications will significantly improve the gameplay experience and deliver a true Star Wars adventure. However, if your Star Wars Galaxies account was in good standing as of November 3, 2005, you purchased the latest expansion pack, Star Wars Galaxies: Trials of Obi- Wan™ before November 3, 2005, and you find that these new enhancements are not to your liking, you may request a refund of the purchase price of the Trials of Obi-Wan expansion pack.” The MMORPG, (massively multiplayer online role playing game) Star Wars Galaxies franchise, has had a tough time with the Gamer Alliance. First, there was the recent shut-down of all the “Star Wars Galaxies” servers in Japan, due to lack of interest in the title. Second, an inordinate amount of the Star Wars faithful, who purchased the game, were wondering if the Dark Side had taken over the production team, due to the poor gameplay and long stints of wandering aimlessly through alien lands. And third, some gamers felt that Star Wars Galaxies was just another clone of the popular MMORPG title “World of Warcraft.” Many purchasers of the expansion pack raised their light sabers in anger at “Star Wars Galaxies: Trials of Obi-Wan” and created such a stir in the online gaming community that Sony Online Entertainment agreed to a refund to dissatisfied customers. Many gamers felt that the “enhancements” were basically not worth the price of admission. Some also complained that only high level characters (more advanced skills) could take advantage of some of the features of the game. In spite of all of this, Sony is to be commended for listening to their gaming community. May the Refund be with you.