Author: Matt "ObiWaN" Hansen

Star Wars Battlefront II’s Hero Starfighters Update Turns 7 — Here’s Why It Still Hits

X-Wing and TIE Fighter engage in fiery space combat in Battlefront II’s Hero Starfighters mode.

Hard to believe, but it’s been seven years since Star Wars Battlefront II dropped one of its most beloved and underrated updates: Hero Starfighters. Released on July 3, 2018, this free content update didn’t just toss in a game mode—it gave players a reason to master the skies, go full throttle with iconic ships, and, yes, fly as Lando’s Sullustan co-pilot with style. The update was a turning point. Not in the “we’ve redefined multiplayer” way, but in that subtle, satisfying “hey, this game’s finally getting polished” kind of way. Let’s take a hyperspace jump back and unpack what made this update soar. Hero Starfighters: When the Skies Got Personal Before this patch, Battlefront II had solid starfighter mechanics—but no real way to make them feel personal. Enter Hero Starfighters, a new game mode that made space battles more than just background noise. The setup was clean and brutal: It…

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Last Shot by Daniel José Older – A Star Wars Book Review

Star Wars: Last Shot cover featuring Han Solo and Lando Calrissian with Millennium Falcon overlay

Last Shot by Daniel José Older is a Star Wars adventure that reunites Han Solo and Lando Calrissian for a wild ride across the galaxy. This novel spans multiple timelines, blending past and present in a story as thrilling as a high-stakes sabacc game. If you’ve ever wondered what Han and Lando get up to in their “happily ever after” (spoiler: trouble still finds them), then buckle up. Our spoiler-packed review dives into how Last Shot hits the mark for fans of space opera, esports-style teamwork, and even a dash of casino caper flair. (If you’re ready to dive in yourself, you can order Last Shot on Amazon here to start your own adventure.) If you haven’t picked it up yet, you can grab a copy of Last Shot on Amazon right here and see what all the delightful chaos is about. Plot Overview: A High-Stakes Gamble Across the Galaxy…

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SWTOR Galactic Seasons 8: Updated Objectives for July 2025

Two SWTOR characters and a probe droid pose alongside rare mounts and speeders from Galactic Seasons 8, all highlighted by a galactic backdrop.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is kicking off July with a packed schedule of Galactic Seasons 8: Rising Powers objectives. With Game Update 7.6.1 now live, players can dive into a new batch of PvE, PvP, and narrative-driven challenges to unlock juicy seasonal rewards. If you’re aiming to max out your track before time runs out, now’s the time to plan your assault on the galaxy. Here’s your full breakdown of the Galactic Seasons objectives from July 1 to July 28. 🗓️ Week 17: July 1 – July 7 Daily Objective: Weekly Objectives (Complete 7 of 11): 🗓️ Week 18: July 8 – July 14 Daily Objective: Weekly Objectives: 🗓️ Week 19: July 15 – July 21 Daily Objective: Weekly Objectives: 🗓️ Week 20: July 22 – July 28 Daily Objective: Weekly Objectives: Galactic Seasons July Strategy Tips Final Words from the War Table This month’s Galactic Seasons update is…

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SWTOR: When One Planet Haunts a Whole Guild: The Belsavis Breakthrough

Sci-fi digital map of Belsavis analyzed by hooded figure

Let’s talk conquest. You know the drill—Total Galactic War week drops, the galaxy lights up, and guilds across the server start eyeing their favorite targets like hungry Nexu on a meat market world. Every planet is up for grabs. Every guild wants glory. But there’s always one planet that just won’t fall. For one well-coordinated and long-running guild, that planet was Belsavis. And after years—yes, years—of near misses, stiff competition, and frustration, they finally did it. They conquered the un-conquerable. Why Belsavis Was the Boss Fight Belsavis isn’t just any planet on the conquest map. It’s one of those “prime real estate” targets that always gets snapped up by top-tier conquest guilds. The kinds of guilds with deep rosters, full Legacy perks, bottomless token banks, and players running ops with spreadsheets. It’s not just about who can generate the most points—it’s about when and how. Because during Total Galactic War,…

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The Last Jedi Skipped Mark Hamill’s Tragic Luke Skywalker Backstory — And It’s Heartbreaking

Mark Hamill interviewed about The Last Jedi, seated and discussing Luke Skywalker’s character evolution

Long before The Last Jedi hit theaters, Mark Hamill had crafted a deeply personal—and profoundly dark—backstory for Luke Skywalker. One that never made it to screen. While Rian Johnson’s version of Luke shows a disillusioned Jedi Master in exile, Hamill imagined a man crushed by personal tragedy, not just failure. This alternate backstory was so emotionally heavy that it would have changed everything we knew about Luke’s motivation in the sequel trilogy. A Devastating Family Story That Was Never Canon During an interview on NPR’s Bullseye with Jesse Thorn, Hamill revealed that he created a psychological framework to understand why Luke would abandon the Jedi and retreat to Ahch-To. His reasoning? Love, grief, and unimaginable loss. “I thought, what could make someone give up a devotion to what is basically a religious entity, to give up being a Jedi? Well, the love of a woman.”— Mark Hamill via Nerdist In…

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LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens Turns 9 — And It’s Still Full of Charm (and Bricks)

LEGO Star Wars The Force Awakens game cover featuring Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren, and other characters in LEGO minifigure style

On this very day, nine years ago, LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens crash-landed into our consoles like a Resistance pilot in need of an insurance claim. Developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive, it marked the triumphant return of the LEGO-Star Wars partnership after a bit of a break—and boy, did it deliver. June 28, 2016. A simpler time. A pre-Last Jedi world. A world where BB-8 was just an adorable new droid and not yet a spark for endless forum debates. But in LEGO form? Pure joy. A LEGO Game with Movie-Exclusive Filler (That Actually Works) One of the biggest surprises of this entry was its original content. Unlike previous LEGO Star Wars games that covered entire trilogies, this one focused solely on The Force Awakens. To flesh it out, TT Games inserted bridge content—new storylines not seen in the film but considered semi-canon at…

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SWG Legends Empire Day & Remembrance Day 2025: Loyalty, Legacy, and Laser Blasts

SWG Legends Empire Day and Remembrance Day 2025 promotional banner with Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance symbols

Empire Day. Remembrance Day. Two sides of one galaxy-sized coin. One celebrates the iron grip of the Galactic Empire and its glorious propaganda machine; the other remembers the billions lost to tyranny and the hope that rebellion still kindles in the dark. In the SWG Legends 2025 Empire/Remembrance Day Friday Feature source, the devs serve up a month-long spectacle full of badges, speeches, combat quests, and shiny new rewards for both Imperials and Rebels alike. Whether you’re raising a glass to the Emperor or throwing sabacc dice with Princess Leia, there’s something here for every alignment. Let’s dissect both halves of the event like a proper protocol droid. Empire Day: Glory to the Emperor 📍 Location: Theed, Naboo (-5469 4410) Celebrated across the galaxy, Empire Day marks the rise of Emperor Palpatine and the fall of the Jedi Council. It’s the Empire’s biggest PR moment—complete with propaganda posters, statues, and…

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Galactic Season 8 in Review: How SWTOR’s “Rising Powers” Shook Up the Hunt for Rewards

Star Wars SWTOR Galactic Season 8 promotional art featuring a Basilisk droid and Mandalorian warrior

Galactic Season 8, titled “Rising Powers”, has come to a close in Star Wars: The Old Republic, and it brought more than just flashy cosmetics and a weekly checklist. It was a shakeup in both structure and storytelling, centered around Lane Vizla—the not-quite-heroic Mandalorian—and her deadly droid, B3-S1. So how did it all land? Was it a bounty hunter’s dream season or just another grind in disguise? Let’s break it down. A Strong Character Anchor: Lane Vizla Steps Forward SWTOR has been using Galactic Seasons as a vehicle for light narrative threads lately, and Season 8 doubled down on that with Lane Vizla. Her story was gritty, morally ambiguous, and had just enough narrative weight to carry the seasonal theme. For players following the Mandalorian arcs since Chains in the Dark, this felt like a natural progression. Dialogues were delivered through holocalls (a standard budget-friendly format at this point), and…

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Star Wars Galaxies Launched Today in 2003 – A Look Back at the MMO That Changed the Galaxy

Commemorative Star Wars Galaxies 2003 launch anniversary graphic with iconic in-game visuals

TL;DR Star Wars Galaxies launched on June 26, 2003—and changed MMO history. It offered deep character customization, complex crafting, player cities, and a galaxy full of potential. Two decades later, it’s still remembered as a genre-defining sandbox with a fanbase that refuses to let it die. On June 26, 2003, something extraordinary happened. Star Wars Galaxies went live, and for the first time ever, players could truly live in the galaxy far, far away—not just blast through it. This wasn’t about being the hero. It was about being a character in Star Wars: a moisture farmer, a cantina musician, a bounty hunter, or a galactic merchant mogul. The game didn’t hand you a lightsaber and a Chosen One prophecy. It handed you a datapad, a landspeeder, and a blank canvas. SWG Quick Timeline: From Launch to Legacy Here’s a rapid-fire look at how Star Wars Galaxies evolved over the years:…

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Star Wars Outlaws TU1.7: Full Patch Notes and Fixes from the Outer Rim

Kay Vess stands ready in a dark alley beside title update text for Star Wars Outlaws TU1.7

The galaxy might be full of smugglers, bounty hunters, and rogue droids—but Star Wars Outlaws just got a little more stable. Ubisoft has rolled out Title Update 1.7 (TU1.7) across all platforms, bringing a slew of quality-of-life improvements, quest fixes, and gameplay polish to the open-world adventure. Whether you’re sneaking into Pyke facilities or fast traveling from the sand-blasted hellscape of Tatooine, this update smooths out the rough edges like a vibroblade through butter. Patch File Sizes by Platform This is a patch you’ll want to make time for—especially if you’ve been dealing with quest blockers or vanishing HUD elements mid-blaster fight. General Gameplay Fixes TU1.7 hits some of the more persistent pain points: UI and Accessibility Improvements Quest and Location-Specific Fixes Toshara – Underworld Tatooine Akiva Story Packs Fixes Wild Card – The Game A Pirate’s Fortune Miscellaneous Fixes Final Thoughts: A Patch Worth Its Weight in Spice Star…

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The Star Wars Galaxy Map Is Back—And It’s Fully Interactive

Official Star Wars Galaxy Map banner with highlighted planetary regions

Well, well, well. Look what the Holonet dragged in. StarWars.com has officially restored the interactive map of the Star Wars galaxy, and it’s more polished than a Naboo senator’s landing platform. Whether you’re plotting a hyperspace route to the Outer Rim or just trying to remember where the heck Exegol is, this digital starmap is the new gold standard for galactic navigation. Click to explore the map here:👉 https://www.starwars.com/star-wars-galaxy-map A Canon-Approved, Ever-Expanding Holomap This isn’t just a pretty graphic with some dots and text overlays. The interactive map on StarWars.com is official, meaning it’s blessed by the lore overlords at Lucasfilm. Each planet’s location is canon-aligned, positioned precisely according to the current Star Wars timeline. And here’s the kicker—it’s not static. According to the site, the map will be updated regularly as new planets are revealed in upcoming shows, movies, comics, and games. That includes everything from deep cuts like…

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Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes – Kit Reveal: Captain Ithano Is Here to Steal Your Buffs and Your Glory

Captain Ithano from Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes in red armor with scattergun

Move over Mandalorians—there’s a new swagger in town. Captain Ithano, the crimson-coated Corsair from The Force Awakens, has landed in Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes with a kit that screams “profit-first, ask-questions-never.” He’s here to do two things: stack Profit and mess with your buffs. And he’s already doing both with pirate-tier efficiency. Captain Ithano is the lead unit kicking off the Era of Piracy, and if his kit is any indication, the scoundrels of SWGOH are getting a full-blown mutiny boost. The Pirate’s Code: Profit and Plunder Two central mechanics define Ithano’s playstyle: Profit and Stealing. He’s not here to play fair. He’s here to win dirty, die dramatically, and come back swinging. Abilities Breakdown: Stack, Steal, and Intimidate 🔫 Basic – Corsair Blaster Rifle 🛡 Special 1 – Lower Ye Shields! 😱 Special 2 – Intimidating Display (Zeta) ☠ Unique – I Don’t Die So Easily (Zeta, Omicron)…

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Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes – Era of Piracy Event Guide: Loot, Legends, and Laser Cannons

Maz Kanata and pirate-themed Star Wars characters featured in the Galaxy of Heroes Era of Piracy event promo.

The holotables just got a whole lot more… lawless. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes is throwing on a tricorne hat and going full pirate mode with its brand-new limited-time event: Era of Piracy. If you’ve ever wanted to assemble a crew of shady smugglers, reckless raiders, and blaster-toting buccaneers, now’s your chance to embrace your inner Hondo Ohnaka. This event isn’t just a gimmick—it’s an entire era packed with new characters, exclusive battles, and a shipload of rewards. So hoist the Jolly Roger, prep your datacrons, and let’s plunder the details. Hondo Ohnaka’s Legacy (And Ego) Lives On The event kicks off with a mysterious broadcast from a voice that definitely isn’t trying to swindle you. With all the charm of a Corellian card shark, this pirate introduces players to a smuggler’s paradise of credits, conquest, and questionable morals. “Speak freely… but carry a big blaster.”— Every scoundrel’s favorite life…

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How Old Is Sabine Wren? Unpacking the Timeline of Mandalore’s Most Colorful Warrior

Sabine Wren in Mandalorian armor with text overlay “How Old Is Sabine Wren”

In a galaxy where Jedi duel with lightsabers, Sith plot in shadows, and Mandalorians blast their way through problems, Sabine Wren stands out—not just because of her art-covered armor. With her wild hair colors, explosive personality (literally—she loves detonators), and deep Mandalorian roots, she’s become a fan favorite across multiple Star Wars series. But one question fans keep asking: How old is Sabine Wren? Strap in, because we’re diving into the dates, the lore, and the flaming graffiti trail she’s left across the galaxy. Who Is Sabine Wren? Before we pull out the timeline calculator, let’s recap who Sabine Wren actually is. Sabine first exploded onto the scene (again—she really likes explosives) in Star Wars Rebels, a show that chronicled the early days of the Rebellion. She’s a Mandalorian from Clan Wren of House Vizsla, a brilliant artist, weapons expert, and former Imperial cadet who left the Empire when she…

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Legends of the Force Set Drops July 12: Cal Kestis, Darth Revan, and Force Power Galore

Legends of the Force glowing logo with cosmic background

If you thought the Force was already strong in Star Wars: Unlimited, buckle up—because Set 5: Legends of the Force is charging in lightsabers-first on July 12, 2025. Whether you’re building casual decks or chasing meta glory, this expansion brings some of the most beloved characters and all-new mechanics to the table—literally. Who’s Joining the Fight? Cal Kestis and BD-1 Straight from Jedi: Fallen Order, Cal Kestis and his droid buddy BD-1 make their official debut in the Unlimited card universe. Expect a cunning playstyle built around survival, resilience, and probably the occasional parry-flip combo that makes opponents rage-quit with elegance. Darth Revan Enters the Arena Yes, you read that right—Darth Revan, the dual-aligned legend from the Old Republic era, is finally playable. A character long requested by players and lore-lovers alike, Revan promises to bring morally complex—and tactically ruthless—gameplay to the battlefield. This is Star Wars Unlimited’s most Force-heavy…

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Star Wars Battlefront II Smashes Steam Player Record After 90% Off Sale

What happens when a legendary Star Wars shooter goes on sale for the price of a vending machine soda? It blows up the charts—literally. Star Wars Battlefront II just broke its all-time concurrent player record on Steam, with over 20,000 players jumping into the galaxy far, far away as of June 21, 2025. And the Force behind this resurgence? A whopping 90% discount on the game. A Comeback Story That’s Almost Canon-Worthy Let’s be honest—Battlefront II didn’t exactly launch as the chosen one back in 2017. Thanks to infamous loot box drama and a progression system that felt more like Sith alchemy than balanced gameplay, it became the poster child for what not to do in AAA monetization. But EA and DICE turned things around. Fast forward to today, and it’s now regarded as one of the most polished and content-rich Star Wars multiplayer experiences available. Now, with a $3.99…

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Star Wars Battlefront II Hits Lowest Ever Price — Now Up to 90% Off on PC

Captain Cardinal in crimson armor in Star Wars Battlefront II – First Order soldier.

If you’ve ever looked at Star Wars Battlefront II and thought, “I’ll wait for a sale,” the Force just answered your call. The game has now dropped to its lowest ever price across major platforms — up to 90% off on Steam, the EA app, and the Epic Games Store. And if you’re on Xbox? You’ve still got 4 days to grab it on discount before the deal vanishes into hyperspace. Where to Buy Battlefront II for Up to 90% Off Let’s get to the good stuff. Here’s where you can pick up this galactic steal: Whichever launcher you use, this is the best time to build your clone trooper army or unleash your inner Darth Maul. There’s no pay-to-win nonsense anymore—just pure, chaotic Star Wars action. Why Battlefront II Is Still Worth Buying in 2025 Sure, the game launched with more controversy than a Jedi Council vote, but Battlefront…

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Star Wars: Rebellion Is Free Right Now — And It Still Hits Like a Death Star Blast

Star Wars Rebellion free download promo with Star Destroyer and X-Wing in space background

In a galaxy not so far away (i.e., your internet browser), one of the most underrated Star Wars games of all time just went full free-to-play. No, it’s not some microtransaction-infested mobile app. It’s the classic 1998 real-time strategy gem: Star Wars: Rebellion. Right now, you can grab it for zero credits thanks to GOG’s Summer Sale giveaway. It’s part nostalgia trip, part galactic chessboard, and all beautifully chaotic. What Is Star Wars: Rebellion? Released back when Star Wars video games were still experimenting with genres harder than a Tatooine spice dealer, Rebellion is a grand strategy title that lets you control the Galactic Empire or the Rebel Alliance. Your job? Total domination. Whether by diplomacy, espionage, fleet battles, or political manipulation, victory is all about outsmarting your opponent across a galactic map. Key features include: It’s like a poker game between Emperor Palpatine and Admiral Ackbar — bluff, scheme,…

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London Film & Comic Con 2025: Robert Timothy Smith (Jod Neel) Joins the Lineup

Promotional art of blue elephant-like character attending London Film & Comic Con 2025

Mark your con calendars—because London Film & Comic Con 2025 just added a rising name to its guest list. Robert Timothy Smith, the actor behind the mysterious Jod Neel in the upcoming Star Wars: The Acolyte, is confirmed to appear at Olympia this summer. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the darker corners of the galaxy (and the Disney+ queue), Jod Neel’s presence in The Acolyte has sparked speculation, memes, and more than one “Sith or not?” Reddit thread. And now the man behind the mystery is bringing his lightsaber-sharp energy to one of the UK’s biggest geek gatherings. Who Is Robert Timothy Smith—and Why Should You Care? Smith might not be a household name—yet—but The Acolyte has a habit of turning actors into canon legends. His role as Jod Neel is still mostly under wraps, but early footage and behind-the-scenes teases point toward a character with major Dark…

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JKGalaxies 1.3.25 Released: Star Wars Modding Enters Hyperspace (Again)

JKGalaxies v1.3.25 splash screen with blaster fire and logo

JKGalaxies, the multiplayer mod that refuses to quit—and we mean that in the best way possible—has just launched version 1.3.25, and it’s loaded with gameplay tweaks, quality-of-life upgrades, and a deeper commitment to that sweet, sweet Star Wars chaos. If you’ve ever wanted a Star Wars shooter with lightsaber clashes, Mandalorian tech, bounty hunter tactics, and the raw unpredictability of human multiplayer opponents, JKGalaxies has likely been on your radar. With 1.3.25 now live, the mod continues its mission to evolve Jedi Academy’s multiplayer roots into something sharper, faster, and far more playable in 2025. What Is JKGalaxies? At its core, JKGalaxies is a total conversion mod for Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, transforming the aging single-player game into a fast-paced, team-based multiplayer experience. Think of it as Battlefront meets Counter-Strike, but with lightsabers, flamethrowers, jetpacks, bacta grenades, and more headshots than you can count. Players choose between different…

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Jason Court Looks Back on Playing Kyle Katarn in Star Wars: Dark Forces II

Jason Court then and now as Kyle Katarn in Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II promotional image

Back in 1997, before The Force Unleashed and long before Cal Kestis started leaping across Jedi temples, there was Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight—a groundbreaking Star Wars game that didn’t just expand the galaxy, but pulled us right into it with live-action cutscenes and a character who became an underground icon: Kyle Katarn. Now, nearly three decades later, Jason Court, the actor who portrayed Katarn, has stepped back into the spotlight with a rare look back at his experience playing the gruff ex-Stormtrooper-turned-reluctant-Jedi. And let’s be clear—he didn’t just voice the character. He was Kyle Katarn, in flesh and beard, filmed in front of primitive green screens and imaginary enemies. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a deep cut that reaffirms how much of Star Wars’ gaming legacy was built on guts, grit, and awkward early CGI. Kyle Katarn: The Jedi with a Blaster (and a Backstory) Before he was…

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Nintendo Confirms Star Wars: Dark Forces and Episode I Racer Are Switch 2 Compatible

Nintendo Switch 2 displaying Star Wars Dark Forces Remaster and Episode I Racer

Big news dropped quicker than a TIE fighter: Nintendo has confirmed that Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Episode I Racer are fully backwards compatible on the brand-new Switch 2. If you were waiting to relive those classic Star Wars gaming moments on next-gen hardware, now’s your moment to ignite those nostalgia engines. Let’s unpack what this means for Star Wars fans, mobile esports competitors, and even the casino-style thrill-chasers out there. 🚀 Why This Compatibility Matters Bringing Classic Star Wars Games into the Future These games aren’t just dusty relics; they’re legendary. Dark Forces Remaster revamped the iconic ’90s FPS, while Episode I Racer remains one of the most beloved Star Wars racing games ever made. Seeing them launch flawlessly on Switch 2 gives them a second life—and a bigger stage. Seamless for Gamers & Esports Competitors For anyone in the mobile esports space or racing arenas, Flip a cartridge and get…

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Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes Was Announced 10 Years Ago Today — And We’re Still Hooked

Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes 10th anniversary announcement graphic

Ten years ago, Electronic Arts lit the fuse on what would become one of the most enduring mobile RPGs in the galaxy. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes was officially announced on June 15, 2015—and whether you’re a galactic gambler or an esports strategist, you’ve probably touched this game at least once (and then rage-quit over mod RNG). From its humble beginnings as a turn-based collector RPG to becoming a mainstay in mobile PvP circles, SWGOH has aged like fine blue milk. Let’s dig into the legacy, the memes, the monetization, and what’s kept this game rolling like a Hutt down a casino aisle. A New Hope for Mobile Star Wars Gaming Before SWGOH, Star Wars mobile games were hit-or-miss. Some were charming, others were… not. But EA Capital Games’ announcement changed that trajectory. Combining hero collection, turn-based tactics, and an endless hunger for crystals, SWGOH became the Star Wars mobile…

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Carrie Beck: The Quiet Force Behind Star Wars—and Possibly the Future of Lucasfilm

Carrie Beck standing confidently with a Star Wars logo background

Carrie Beck might not be a household name (yet), but behind the scenes of a galaxy far, far away, she’s been quietly shaping the Star Wars universe for years. And now, the Force-sensitive whispers around the Holonet are getting louder: Could Carrie Beck be the next big leader at Lucasfilm? Let’s punch it to hyperspace and break it down. Carrie Beck’s Role in Star Wars (So Far) Currently serving as EVP of Lucasfilm’s Story Group, Carrie Beck has been instrumental in helping guide the narrative threads of Star Wars across movies, shows, books, and games. While Kathleen Kennedy still captains the Lucasfilm ship, Beck has played the role of co-pilot with increasing visibility. Beck was involved in: Essentially, when a Jedi says something lore-breaking in a script meeting, it’s likely Carrie Beck who steps in with a raised eyebrow and a continuity-saving retcon. Why Her Name Is Buzzing Now The…

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