Star Wars Galaxies: Player Spotlight: Lonavalamari

Real life first name: L
Forum handle: lonavalamari
Main Character name: Nallu & Lona
Server: Sunrunner
Player Association: Holowood Galactic Studios <HGS>

Where in the real life world do you live? Los Angeles, California

How long have you played Star Wars: Galaxies? I have played since July 14th, 2003 (3 years).

What other MMOs have you played? I have played The Sims Online, Second Life (briefly), and Dungeons & Dragons Online.

What type of work do you do? I'm a Graphic Designer for a fashion company.

How long is your typical gaming session when playing Star Wars: Galaxies? I play about 3-4 hours per day and various hours on the weekends.

What does a typical Star Wars: Galaxies day consist of for you? My typical day consists of role-playing, planning events, sending colorful hex-coded in-game emails decorated with ASCII artwork, crafting costumes for gigs, sometimes engaging in combat, helping people promote their ideas (for a city party, cantina opening, or with their website graphics), and introducing new players to the Sunrunner role-play community.

What was the race and profession of your very first character? A female Mon Calamari, Architect, Pistoleer, and Doctor.

What got you into gaming and what sort of games do you like the most? My boyfriend got me into gaming. He bought The Sims for me and although I was resistant to try any type of video game, I was hooked. It was like playing in a big doll house. We both got The Sims Online together and then his real life friends got me into Star Wars Galaxies, which I naturally liked because I'm a Sci-Fi fan. I enjoy playing games where I can role-play as well as customize clothing/ character appearance and decorate furniture.

What other hobbies or activities do you take part in, other then playing Star Wars: Galaxies? I love to watch movies, collect & share DVDs, write, hang out with loved ones in real life, collect stuffed animals (monkeys in particular), draw letterforms, and practice my lettering skills.

What is your highest level Character in Star Wars: Galaxies? CL 90

What race and profession is your main character? A female Trandoshan entertainer.

What do you like the most about the profession you have chosen for your main character? I like the dance and music animations as well as having the ability to use holo-emotes. I also like how the profession gives me an opportunity to role-play a Trandoshan "holo actress".

Originally, Nallu was supposed to be my Krayt pearl collector. Once Lona finished her Jedi template, I started to entertain with Nallu and create her story. She was an up-and-coming B-list holo-entertainment actress stomping on model cities and acting out badly choreographed fight scenes. Fired from a large holo-entertainment agency because she refused studio demands to get breast implants, she started her own studio with her friends.

The entertainer profession challenges me to be daring, different, and allows me to play outside of the stereotypical Trandoshan persona.

What faction is your main character? On Trandosha, Nallu was horrified to discover what had become of the Wookiees as the film "The Hatch of a Nation" aired on public holoscreens. Shaken and compelled to do something to help all those oppressed, she covertly sought out the Alliance, lending her skills where they were needed. She still hopes one day to return to the holoscreen when the prejudice in the industry is no more.

What is your favorite player owned ship? I'm a horrible pilot, so my favorite ship would have to be the Sorosub yacht, since it allows me to fly and entertain in space.

What is your favorite ground vehicle? Since the beginning, when it first came out, I've always liked the AV-21.

How did you choose your main character's name? "Nallu Koras" was inspired by the Trandoshan name "Kallukoras", which I found on Ultimate Alien Anthology Preview #2. It means "Frightens his enemies into submission" (this was before I went Entertainer). I replaced the first letter with my middle initial, "n", and made a separation in "Nallu Koras". Since Trandoshans don't have last names, I role-played it as a screen name that Nallu created for the non-speaking Dosh audience.

Which professions in Star Wars: Galaxies have you NOT played? I have not played a Politician yet. I've mastered 32 pre-publish 9 professions while I was holo-grinding to unlock the Jedi Profession and have respec'd to all of the NGE professions.

What is your favorite expansion? That would have to be the Trials of Obi Wan. I like the Mustafar bunker and the entertainer dance & song.

What is your favorite planet? I like planets that have a lot of water such as Naboo.

What is your favorite npc? Sy Snootles. I love her background and story. She encouraged Max Rebo to take lead of the musical group while discreetly running the band herself. She let Max take the credit to avoid becoming a target from those that were angry at the band.

Which expansion do you like the least? Jump to Lightspeed. I'm a horrible pilot and didn't enjoy that expansion very much.

Which planet do you like the least? Yavin IV.

Which npc do you like the least? Darth Vader. There are consequences when I slap him. I have to be careful around that NPC.

What is the most credits you have ever spent on purchasing a single item for one of your characters? 6 million credits for two AV-21 landspeeders.

Do you have an item you no longer use but keep around for nostalgic reasons? If so what is it and why do you keep it? I have several articles of clothing and furniture made by Lona while I was holo-grinding. I keep them because it reminds me of a time when I had fun learning new professions, meeting friends and learning how to role-play.

What do you like best about Star Wars: Galaxies? I like the immersion; NPC's, cities, music, environment and character customization. When you listen to the music in SWG, it's from the movies!

What do you get out of playing Star Wars: Galaxies? I get to geek out. It's a creative outlet where I can share my interests and hobbies with other people, whom I wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity to meet in real life. It also allows me to indulge in my guilty pleasure of playing with my digital dolls and dressing them up in outfits. It reminds me of playing with Barbies when I was a little girl.

Describe your best experience playing Star Wars: Galaxies? That would be the planning and running of the Miss Galaxy 2006 event with various members of the community. Out-of-character acceptance, tolerance, and inclusiveness are what I like to see in-game, and I think we got a glimpse of that at the event.

Do you run or work for a Star Wars: Galaxies Fan Site? I run the Holowood Galactic Studios website and moderate the Role-players of Sunrunner website. http://www.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=70851&TabID=613051