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Parallels
Kylrathin
Member Posts: 426
For a long time now, there have been some eerie parallels between SWG/real life and the Star Wars timeline. I need someone else to tell me if I'm way off base, because it's just becoming more and more coincidental... to the point where it feels less coincidental and more like destiny. I'll draw this up, with one clarification: SWG can mean either Star Wars Galaxies, or Star Wars Games.
Star Wars: 1000 BBY (that's 1000 years Before the Battle of Yavin, for those who've never dealt with a Star Wars timeline before), the Republic is born/reborn after the rule of Darth Bane. The galaxy is thrilled at the potential. Happiness ensues.
SWG: June 26, 2003 - Star Wars Galaxies launches as the first Star Wars MMO ever. The players are thrilled at the potential. Happiness ensues.
Star Wars: As time goes on, things get lethargic. The bureaucracy in the Senate starts to bog things down rather than fix things. The Senate does what it wants rather than the will of the people. Things finally come to a head when Naboo is sanctioned and blockaded, and nothing can be done about it.
SWG: As time goes on, things get lethargic. The developers offer solutions that are antithetical to the playerbase's wishes. The developers do what they want rather than listen to the input of the players. Things finally come to a head when the CU is implemented rather than the CURB, and nothing can be done about it.
Star Wars: The Supreme Chancellor has rooted himself in power, as the Senate rapidly loses its influence. He claims his devotion to democracy while he solidifies his power base.
SWG: The CU is backed by John Smedley, as the Correspondents rapidly lose their influence. Smedly claims his devotion to the CU, while he authorizes the development of the NGE.
Star Wars: The Supreme Chancellor, having aligned everything as he desires, transforms the galactic government into the "First" Galactic Empire. Nobody outside the Chancellor's office saw this coming, not even those who kept watch over the galaxy for millenia. The Senate becomes nothing more than a figurehead.
SWG: Smedley and Julio Torres, having set everything in motion, transform the game into the NG"E". Nobody outside their offices saw this coming, not even the correspondents who were to represent the players. The Correspondent program is transformed into the "Imperial Senate", which is nothing more than a figurehead.
Star Wars: The "dark times" commence. Apologies to those born under Imperial rule.
SWG: The "dark times" commence. Apologies to those who never played pre-CU.
Star Wars: After close to 20 years of Imperial rule, the will of the people, suppressed for so long, may have the upper hand. Things are getting stirred up within the Imperial Government, as Grand Moff Tarkin intends to clench his fist around the collective throat of the Rebels, but they have fought and won some victories. Many Bothans died during this time.
SWG: After close to 4 years of NGE, the player base, suppressed for so long, may have the upper hand. Things are getting stirred up within SOE, as the new CRM and his bosses intend to clench their fists around the throats of the playerbase, but they have fought and won some victories (though not on the oboards). The subscriptions of many players, and a few Senators, died during this time.
Star Wars: The Imperial Senate is disbanded. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.
SWG: ....
Anyone remember what happens next? In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, something epic. Well, in my humble opinion, the former relates to the aforementioned epic ending of Episode IV, and the latter the end of Episode VI. Am I crazy, or does this all just kind of flow too well?
<Mod Edited>
There's a sucker born every minute. - P.T. Barnum
Comments
I've often thought there were some rather ironic parallels too. The clamp down on communication in the aftermath of the NGE; the player Senate seemingly without an actual voice; the way so many things that stood in the way of SOE's vision were simply wiped out--including old-school jedi (you know the real ones that went through all the trials, had all the fancy powers and had to keep to the shadows); the lip service to democracy and player input etc. etc. etc. Heck, even the lead architect of the NGE called himself by a sith title lol. Lord Pall wasn't it? Isn't that like something you put over a coffin? lol. How appropriate did that turn out to be.
One thing that really got me was how at around the game's release, we heard things like: "this is your game, not ours." Then when corporate interest pushed aside the veil of decency all we heard were things like: "this is our game, and we can do as we please with it;" or "you people expect an awful lot for a mere 15 dollars a month." Apparently someone feels honesty should be more costly for consumers. The consumers, having gone elsewhere for the most part, seem to disagree.
The Emperor didn't factor Ewoks into his complete and total failure.
Neither did SWG.
The Emperor didn't factor Ewoks into his complete and total failure.
Neither did SWG.
Now if only we could arrange for Smedley to be thrown down a large hole.
The Emperor didn't factor Ewoks into his complete and total failure.
Neither did SWG.
Now if only we could arrange for Smedley to be thrown down a large hole
a hole filled with horny rabid ewoks with cupid wings....
The Emperor didn't factor Ewoks into his complete and total failure.
Neither did SWG.
Now if only we could arrange for Smedley to be thrown down a large hole
a hole filled with horny rabid ewoks with cupid wings....
don't forget a ton of fanbois and fanbots who want force fed content rather then the open world we loved