Star Wars Galaxies: Galactic Moon Festival Q&A
WarCry got a chance to have a brief Q&A with Star Wars: Galaxies designer Niklas "Swede" Johansson about SWG's answer to Halloween, the Galactic Moon festival. Johansson also talked a little about what's involved with adapting an Earth holiday to a galaxy far, far away:
WarCry First off, please introduce yourself and tell us a little about what you do as a member of the SWG team.
Johansson My name is Niklas "Swede" Johansson and I'm a Game Designer for Star Wars Galaxies. I do everything from in game content, such as quests and events, to class balance and game system work.
WarCry There's a certain amount of excitement surrounding the Galactic Moon Festival. What can you tell us about the history of this new holiday?
Johansson In essence, it's a propaganda festival organized by Jabba the Hutt to increase his popularity among citizens on Naboo and Tatooine. The organizers of the festival always try to impress on the player how generous Jabba is and many of the rewards are themed with Jabba propaganda.
WarCry What can players expect? What activities will they be able to participate in? Will there be tricks as well as treats?
Johansson Players will be able to dress up in different costumes, most of them Tatooine inspired, and go trick-or-treating among the citizens of Moenia and Mos Eisley. They can use a hologram projector to play spooky tricks on citizens that are stingy with their treats, play pranks on other players, or just walk around and enjoy the completely re-decorated cities.
WarCry Will all the costumes fit all the player species?
Johansson Yes, the costume is actually a buff that will completely change the appearance of the player to that of the costume. This year we have five costumes which are a Hutt, a Toydarian, a Kowakian Monkey Lizard, a Jawa and finally a Droideka.
WarCry Unlike some MMOs, in-game holidays are somewhat scarce in SWG. Is it more difficult to translate real-world celebrations into such a diverse space opera setting?
Johansson Definitely. We want to make them inspired by Earth holidays but at the same time fit with the world of Star Wars. For example, instead of regular Jack O'Lanterns we have Sith O'Lanterns that are made out of a Star Wars fruit instead of a pumpkin.
WarCry In terms of planning, how much work went into the Moon Festival? Did the experience of adding Wookiee Life Day lend any wisdom to the effort?
Johansson It did take quite a bit of planning to figure out a good way to introduce the festival but when the idea of turning it in to a Jabba propaganda show struck me, it all fell in to place. The inside of Jabba's palace already looks like the world's greatest Halloween party with all the different alien species roaming around. I did borrow some experience from Wookiee Life Day when it came to keeping things in the spirit of Star Wars and an Earth holiday at the same time.
WarCry What was the biggest challenge in implementing the plan? How was it overcome?
Johansson Balancing hundreds of players running around in a city at the same time, trying to trick-or-treat all the poor citizens of the city, while at the same time having a blast. I think in the end we managed to create our best holiday event yet and I hope the players will agree.
WarCry Is this just the first of many new holidays or the last?
Johansson I can't say for sure yet if we will add more holidays but the ones we have now will most likely be a little different each year. New mechanics might be added, along with rewards, decorations etc.
For more information about the Galactic Moon Festival, which runs until Nov. 7 , check out this Friday Feature: Don't Fear the Reaper.
May the fright be with you!
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Star Wars Galaxies: Galactic Moon Festival Q&A
WarCry got a chance to have a brief Q&A with Star Wars: Galaxies designer Niklas "Swede" Johansson about SWG's answer to Halloween, the Galactic Moon festival. Johansson also talked a little about what's involved with adapting an Earth holiday to a galaxy far, far away:
WarCry First off, please introduce yourself and tell us a little about what you do as a member of the SWG team.
Johansson My name is Niklas "Swede" Johansson and I'm a Game Designer for Star Wars Galaxies. I do everything from in game content, such as quests and events, to class balance and game system work.
Johansson In essence, it's a propaganda festival organized by Jabba the Hutt to increase his popularity among citizens on Naboo and Tatooine. The organizers of the festival always try to impress on the player how generous Jabba is and many of the rewards are themed with Jabba propaganda.
WarCry What can players expect? What activities will they be able to participate in? Will there be tricks as well as treats?
Johansson Players will be able to dress up in different costumes, most of them Tatooine inspired, and go trick-or-treating among the citizens of Moenia and Mos Eisley. They can use a hologram projector to play spooky tricks on citizens that are stingy with their treats, play pranks on other players, or just walk around and enjoy the completely re-decorated cities.
Johansson Yes, the costume is actually a buff that will completely change the appearance of the player to that of the costume. This year we have five costumes which are a Hutt, a Toydarian, a Kowakian Monkey Lizard, a Jawa and finally a Droideka.
WarCry Unlike some MMOs, in-game holidays are somewhat scarce in SWG. Is it more difficult to translate real-world celebrations into such a diverse space opera setting?
Johansson Definitely. We want to make them inspired by Earth holidays but at the same time fit with the world of Star Wars. For example, instead of regular Jack O'Lanterns we have Sith O'Lanterns that are made out of a Star Wars fruit instead of a pumpkin.
WarCry In terms of planning, how much work went into the Moon Festival? Did the experience of adding Wookiee Life Day lend any wisdom to the effort?
Johansson It did take quite a bit of planning to figure out a good way to introduce the festival but when the idea of turning it in to a Jabba propaganda show struck me, it all fell in to place. The inside of Jabba's palace already looks like the world's greatest Halloween party with all the different alien species roaming around. I did borrow some experience from Wookiee Life Day when it came to keeping things in the spirit of Star Wars and an Earth holiday at the same time.
Johansson Balancing hundreds of players running around in a city at the same time, trying to trick-or-treat all the poor citizens of the city, while at the same time having a blast. I think in the end we managed to create our best holiday event yet and I hope the players will agree.
WarCry Is this just the first of many new holidays or the last?
Johansson I can't say for sure yet if we will add more holidays but the ones we have now will most likely be a little different each year. New mechanics might be added, along with rewards, decorations etc.
For more information about the Galactic Moon Festival, which runs until Nov. 7 , check out this Friday Feature: Don't Fear the Reaper.
May the fright be with you!
Permalink