Last week almost all of SOE's services were shut down for an extended downtime period - that is, for 14 hours. This was not an unexpected downtime, although while SOE tried to inform people as best they could, there were still a number of gamers who were left confused by this. SOE has now released some information to help clear up some questions about the downtime.

This last Tuesday, Sony Online Entertainment brought all of its games and services down for approximately 14 hours. While we did everything we could to make people aware of the pending downtime as early as possible, some SOE gamers have expressed confusion about what exactly we did that day.

You can view the full article by clicking 'read more' below.

It's time for another Player Spotlight. For this edition, SWG turns it eye on ImperialPilotCH of Bria:

What race and profession is your main character? My main character is a male human and profession is a Beast Master medic. What do you like the most about the profession you have chosen for your main character? I really enjoy Medic because it allows me to stand in the back and heal those who need it. I never really did like always dying, so I choose to stay in the back and keep people alive, and let my pets do the talking.

Click below to read the rest.

Have you been longing to return to a galaxy far, far away? Log in now and get re-acquainted with Star Wars Galaxies before it's too late!

Former citizens of the galaxy can return for 21 days if they have been inactive for 90 days or more. Log back in to your former account now and check out the new Beast Master expertise system firsthand. Hurry, this offer is only available until 11:59PM PST on Sept. 30, 2007.

Remember, keep your account opted-in and your email address updated to find out about great offers and opportunities from Star Wars Galaxies and Sony Online Entertainment.

SWG's Valara takes some time to explore the new collections system that will be introduced in the long-awaited Chapter 7 update in this week's Friday Feature. According to the story, many different items in the galaxy will either start or finish collections:

Something sparkling in the lush grass of Endor catches your eye. As you retrieve it, you realize that what you just picked up is quite a valuable discovery! Collectors of all levels and professions can earn a variety of rewards in Chapter 7 when they find all the pieces of many different collections scattered across the galaxy.

Click below to learn more about the collection system coming in Chapter 7.

Star Wars Galaxies: The Complete Online Adventures is now available as a premium digital download at IGN Entertainment's Direct2Drive. The Complete Online Adventures includes Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, all of the game's expansion packs, bonus content and the AT-RT personal ground vehicle. the premium version also includes a new Instant Travel Vehicle modeled on Queen Amidala's transport from Episode I.

Read the full release after the click.

It's late September and the Chapter 6 updates keep rolling in. Chapter 7 will get here soon (I hope). Here's a peek at the 6.13 update:

Beast Master:

• Fixed an issue where beasts would stop auto-firing specials in multiple target scenarios.
• Fixed an issue with beast regeneration rates when the beast was fighting multiple targets.
• Fixed issue with all beast enfeeble attacks. Beware the Lava Flea!

Click below to read the rest of the notes.

Want to know a little bit more about the SWG Team? Remember - they don't just work on the game ... they also enjoy playing it! Get an inside look at how the folks behind-the-scenes enjoy Star Wars: Galaxies.

Click below to read this week's profile featuring SOE Associate Designer Jeff Haskell.

Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa is the latest MMO from NCSoft Austin and aims to change the way people think about the genre. Garriott has created a game that combines fast action tactical combat with RPG mechanics and character development in a world full of stories that have moral consequences.

Here on WarCry, we offer you the chance to win one of 20 box copies, to be distributed after the game launches.

Interested? Click below to enter for free.

Visit the Podcast Website today to listen to Podcast #23 and catch up on any podcasts you may have missed in the past. In this edition, hear four great parody commercials, interviews from all three server hamsters and some great interviews of Podcasts past. Be sure to send your feedback to Brenlo@soe.sony.com or you can head over to the Station Forums and post your feedback there.

It's time for another Player Spotlight. For this edition, SWG turns it eye on Nebaf of Bloodfin:

How long is your typical gaming session when playing Star Wars Galaxies? I usually play for a couple hours. It's definitely easy to lose track of time and end up playing for several hours, especially when you're PvPing. What does a typical Star Wars Galaxies day consist of for you? It varies. Currently my typical day consists of logging on and PvPing. When there isn't much PvP going on, I usually switch to one of my crafters and make armor, weapons, powerbits, or powerups. However, there's almost always a fight somewhere, so I'm rarely on my crafters.

Click below to read the rest.

A big part of the upcoming Chapter 7 update will be heroic encounters. Last week, Valara gave us a look at two of those: Axvka Min and IG-88. This week, she fills us in on the Tusken Raiders and their rumored king:

Sand People, also known as Tusken Raiders, are fearsome nomads that prowl the desert sands of Tatooine. Who are these savage and mysterious warriors? You and your allies will face the fierce Sand People in the heroic encounters of Chapter 7.

Click below to learn more about the Tusken Raiders.

Sony Online Entertainment released an update about the planned downtime next week. The good news is, they now expect the upgrade to take only 14 hours beginning Monday night, rather than 24 hours on Tuesday. That's still some significant time off for players of EverQuest, EverQuest II, Star Wars Galaxies, Planetside, The Matrix Online and Vanguard:

Beginning at 11:30 p.m. PDT on Monday, September 24th, all SOE services will be unavailable so that we can perform significant upgrades to our authentication and account management systems.

Currently we expect this maintenance to take approximately 14 hours. But as first indicated, it could extend to as long as 24 hours. Customer service, chat and support will also be unavailable at this time. Phone support will still be accessible. SOE websites will continually be updated throughout the day as to the progress of the maintenance.

We apologize for this interruption, however when service is resumed you will have an enhanced user experience to manage your accounts at Station.com.

The folks over at Sony Online Entertainment made an important announcement regarding extended maintenance. It looks like everyone who plays EverQuest, EverQuest II, Star Wars Galaxies, Planetside, The Matrix Online and Vanguard will get a full day off:

All SOE games, Web sites, message boards, Knowledge Base, Station store, and other services will be unavailable for approximately 24 hours beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 25. All SOE services will be undergoing upgrades to the authentication system and as a result, all logins for SOE services will be unavailable. Technical and Account support will only be available by phone during this time.

Keep checking back for more news and information about this maintenance as it becomes available.

SWG designer Michael "Fiasco" Farone checked in with his first Dev Diary:

"Well, I had been working as a designer on Ultima Online. This was during development for the Age of Shadows expansion for UO. A friend, who was one of the lead designers on SWG at the time, had been trying to talk me into joining their team. I enjoyed working on UO, but at the same time it was the only game I had ever worked on at that point. The idea of expanding my horizons seemed like a good one. So I took my friend's advice and joined the SWG team. Strangely enough, shortly after, my friend was offered a position on UO as a producer, so we basically traded projects. Funny the way things turn out sometimes."

Click below to read the rest.

It's time for another Player Spotlight. For this edition, SWG turns it eye on Tralmek:

What type of work do you do? I run a video production company. How long is your typical gaming session when playing Star Wars Galaxies? Generally I spend 3-4 hours on SWG over the course of a day. What does a typical Star Wars Galaxies day consist of for you? My first stop is always my trader to restock vendors and complete special orders. From there I divide my time between managing my city, working my cantina, and adventuring with friends. Recently I've been helping a few friends with quests on Kashyyyk and Musty.

Click below to read the rest.