Star Wars Galaxies: Player Spotlight: Spartyice

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Real life first name: Jim
Forum handle: Spartyice
Main Character name: Thornos Dre'Oss
Server: Bria
Player Association: I-M-P - Imperial Mercenary Pirates

Where in the real life world do you live? Michigan, USA

How long have you played Star Wars Galaxies? I have played since February of 2004.

What other MMOs have you played? I have played EQ2, Guild Wars, City of Heroes, and Dark Age of Camelot.

What type of work do you do? I am the Director of a Residential Probation Program.

How long is your typical gaming session when playing Star Wars Galaxies? I am typically logged in for three to four hours at a time, my level of "at the keyboard" depends on my family and work commitments.

What does a typical Star Wars Galaxies day consist of for you? I am typically logged in for three to four hours at a time, my level of "at the keyboard" depends on my family and work commitments.

What was the race and profession of your very first character? Thornos was my first; he is human and was a creature handler.

What got you into gaming and what sort of games do you like the most? I have never played a MMO until my brother-in-law started playing SWG at the end of 2003 and began bugging me daily to give it a shot. After 30 minutes of playing, I was hooked and I knew this was the game for me. I have tried other MMOs since starting SWG but nothing holds me like this. What keeps me playing is the community and the fact that it's Star Wars.

What other hobbies or activities do you take part in, other then playing Star Wars Galaxies? My career keeps me very busy. I am currently involved in a large number of community-building ventures in my area. That, along with my wife and three wonderful children, keeps me hopping. (I'm currently bringing my oldest son along on his level 14 Jedi).

What is your highest level Character in Star Wars Galaxies? It's level 90 on all three of my combat characters, master trader, and master entertainer on the other three.

What race and profession is your main character? My main character is Thornos, a human elder Jedi.

What do you like the most about the profession you have chosen for your main character? What I like most about my Jedi is that it is the ultimate iconic profession. As a fan that grew up on Star Wars, even after 3 years of playing this game there is something fascinating about that snap hiss your saber makes. Walking out of a battle, PvP or PvP, still alive while your group list is in the cloner is a trip. I have Thornos set up as a tank with his expertise and that coupled with force run and cloak makes for a lot of fun.

What faction is your main character? He was Imperial from day one!

What is your favorite player owned ship? My Royal Guard Tie Fighter - there are not a lot of players using it and they are unique and fun to fly.

What is your favorite ground vehicle? My favorite ground vehicle is my Jetpack, (my backpacks got jets).

How did you choose your main character's name? Thornos was a name I have used for a long time. I took Thor, (one of the most powerful Norse gods), and added my flare to it.

Which professions in Star Wars Galaxies have you NOT played? Medic is the only profession I have not played.

What is your favorite expansion? Trials of Obi-Wan is my favorite expansion. It added a new level of challenging quests that in most cases required teamwork to complete.

What is your favorite planet? My favorite area is Restuss. You are there to fight, if you are not, you need to run because I am there to eliminate the rebel threat.

What is your favorite NPC? Boba Fett - who is still the standard for cool.

Which expansion do you like the least? None, although I do dislike the lighting on Mustafar a great deal. That planet has a lot of great designs and views but it is so dark that you don't get a change to see it most of the time.

Which planet do you like the least? Mustafar would be the planet I like the least because I do not like the way the lighting was done.

Which NPC do you like the least? The NPC I like the least are Gungans - they really need to be eradicated!

What is the most credits you have ever spent on purchasing a single item for one of your characters? The most credits I have ever spent on a single item was 150 million for a backpack of premium and flawless pearls.

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 two items I keep around for nostalgic reasons. One is the FWG-5 pistol that was given to me by a player on my third day. It took me a month before I had enough skill to use it but it was the greatest gun I ever had. The second item is my T-21 rifle collection from most of the best weaponsmiths on Bria. The T-21 collection hangs in my mall on Rori.

What do you like best about Star Wars Galaxies? What I like best about Star Wars Galaxies is the community. I have developed a number of friendships that now transcend the game.

What do you get out of playing Star Wars Galaxies? That's easy-- enjoyment. For me, it is a chance to set the real world down for a few minutes and relax. I posted this on the forums a few years back and as I was reading it today I find that it still hold true for me:
I play because:
I was there when Luke found the Force
I was there when Luke found his Father
I was there when Luke found his Sister
I was there when Anakin found the Force
I was there when Anakin found his hearts desire
I was there when light became dark
I love being an Agent of the Empire
I love crafting a good weapon and hearing the joy from the player as he kills with it
I love tipping a new player a huge amount of credits
I love the thrill I get from going out in ST Squads
I love the thrill of wondering if I'm on the terms
I play with players I actually like
I love being able to interact with the galaxy
I am a Star Wars fan not a MMOG fan

Describe your best experience playing Star Wars Galaxies? There are so many great memories, 1050 days logged in makes for a huge library to pull from. From huge groups trying to take down a single rancor and failing, to crafting that T-21 with 200 damage, to the day I unlocked my Jedi. More recently, the Battle of Restuss and the massive PVP fight while the city blew up around us, to the most recent Death Watch Bunker run with Banda and Failsafe. Those are some of my best experiences.

Do you run or work for a Star Wars Galaxies Fan Site? No, I do not.