Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed

What New Gameplay Mechanics Does This Expansion Introduce?

The most transformative addition is the introduction of real-time space combat. While the ground-based gameplay retained its established systems, space battles are presented as fast-paced, twitch-oriented encounters, playable optionally with a joystick for enhanced control. This mechanic allows characters to engage in dogfights across the galaxy.

The Pilot Profession and Faction Allegiance

A new sub-profession, Pilot, is unlocked, allowing characters to specialize in space operations. Within this specialization, players must choose allegiance to one of three major factions: the Rebel Alliance, the Galactic Empire, or the Freelance path. This choice directly influences the types of space missions available and the player's standing within the cosmos.

Exploring the Outer Reaches of the Galaxy

This expansion opens up ten distinct sectors of outer space for exploration and conflict. These areas include the space surrounding the original ten planets featured in the base game, as well as new, specialized locations such as Kessel and "Deep Space."

What Ships and Races Are Available in Space?

Players gain access to over twenty different starships spanning the era between Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. This roster includes iconic vessels such as the X-wing, the TIE Fighter, and the YT-1300 light freighter (the same model as the Millennium Falcon), alongside several new ships designed specifically for this expansion.

Furthermore, two new playable races are added to the roster of character options: the Sullustan and the Ithorian.

New Crafting and Resource Management

The expansion also enhances the crafting system with the introduction of the Shipwright Artisan profession. Shipwrights are responsible for constructing and maintaining starships, shields, and weapons for the player base. A key feature of this profession is the ability to salvage components from space encounters and reverse-engineer them to create superior equipment, linking space activities directly to ground-based economy and progression.

Content Scope and Integration

This expansion is substantial, moving the game from a purely ground-based RPG experience to a dual-environment MMORPG. It layers a complex, real-time combat simulator over the existing systems. Beyond the new combat and piloting mechanics, the expansion adds numerous space-specific missions and four new space-focused professions to pursue.