LucasArts has announced that the massively online game Star Wars Galaxies will release June 26, 2003. The Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided online fan community now exceeds more than 500,000 registered members.

At launch Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided will offer four subscription plan options: Month-to-month - $14.99; three months - $14.00 per month; six months - $13.00 per month; and 12 months - $12.00 per month. By subscribing to any of the latter three plans, players can expect savings of up to 20 percent over the month-to-month rate. Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided has a suggested retail price of $49.95, and includes a 30-day subscription to the game. A special collector's edition, which includes a book of game-related art, in-game wearables, pewter figurine, lapel pin and patch, and a signed manual, will be available for a suggested retail price of $79.95.

I was excited about this game, but after seeing the price tag to play, I will NOT be buying Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided. I don't even want it as a gift! First starwars.com makes us pay for a yearly subscription to get news, and now we must pay a hefty monthly payment to be part of an online game. I did go ahead and give in to starwars.com to stay in the know, but to LucasArts I say now way! I draw the line here!