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  • Sony Online Entertainment is proud to announce the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game! This brand new online TCG is the first ever card game based on the Star Wars® Galaxies universe! Subscribers to Star Wars Galaxies will be able to:

    • Choose between the light and dark sides of the Force and fight virtual matches for the Rebel or Imperial factions,
    • Challenge their skills in story-based solo play or against other players in epic one-on-one battles,
    • Find more than 20 "loot" cards in the first release, Champions of the Force, that can be redeemed for fantastic virtual items for use in the Star Wars Galaxies massively multiplayer game!

    In addition, Star Wars Galaxies subscribers will receive five free Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game booster packs every month as part of their regular subscription to the game.

    More information on the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game and its first release, Champions of the Force, can be found at www.StarWarsGalaxies.com/tradingcardgame.

    Click here to read the press release.

  • This week we feature a player from Star Chamber.

    Real Life First Name: Santiago

    Forum Handle: Zorro

    Game Handle: Zorro

    Where do you live?
    In Silver Spring, Maryland - right outside of Washington DC. We have the strongest collection of Star Chamber players in the world. There's me and Jmart of Squeegie.

    How long have you played Star Chamber?
    I started nearly two years ago, September 2006. This was back before the move to SOE.

    Do you play Stargate, Legends of Norrath or Pirates CSG?
    No, no and no. I might play them if they have Mac versions available (hint!). One of the things that is really cool about Star Chamber is the Mac version. We did a community census a while back and I think about 20% of our players used a Mac. Right now, we're unofficially supported thanks to Bruce and Mattness.

    Do you play any physical TCGs?
    No. I actually am not a fan of TCGs. Star Chamber appeals to me because of its 4x (Explore, Expand, Exterminate, and one other "Ex" I can never remember) nature.

    What got you into gaming and what sort of games do you like the most?
    I don't actually remember what got me into gaming. I think it being fun was it. I don't play very many games, and none regularly except Star Chamber. However, when I do game, it tends to be 4x and strategy games. I also love games with a space opera feel. I also like writing "space opera" because it reminds me of the opera scene in the movie "The 5th Element".

    What type of work do you do?
    I'm a consultant who works with companies on corporate responsibility. That varies a lot from client to client, but usually involves environmental issues, ethics or labor practices. It is way less fun and way more tedious than it sounds.

    What other hobbies or activities do you take part in, other than Star Chamber?
    I love white water rafting, which I get to do fairly regularly in West Virginia. I also love to ski, something I don't get to do as regularly.

    What is your favorite deck type?
    I have the most fun when I'm playing a Zhikanii deck, especially a balanced tech one that uses all their clever and funny heroes, like Kreb Negghz, Rhebus, Pop Idol, etc. Those decks aren't that strong, and I certainly have much stronger decks I use in tournaments, but the sheer chaos Zhik can cause is nearly unmatched.

    What is your favorite card (playability-wise, and why)?
    I think the Thrass Hive Queen, Reborn is my favorite card to play. In part the reason is because it is so darn powerful, yet inexpensive enough (tech-wise) to hit the table very early and give you a substantial advantage. However, there are lots of cards like that too, what makes the Hive Queen special for me are two reasons: (1) my friend farmer won a special tournament that got to decide what race the new Hive Queen would be, and he won it with Thrass (but I do think it might be really funny if someone with a Kej deck had won that tournament); and (2) because when I first joined SC, a really cool guy by the name of golfnut helped me out a ton by giving me a complete collection of commons and some very nice trades, including the Hive Queen. For me, it was the perfect introduction into a game which has the best online community ever.

    What is your favorite card (art-wise), and why?
    I'm going to cheat a bit and say two cards that are tied for my favorite.

    The first is "Impact Testing," a Zhik card that can kill any persona where you control a ship. The card art is of two Zhiks (who look like giant slugs) in lab coats and clip boards, talking to each other as a man in slacks, dress shirt and tie, falls in front of them. I mean, those lab coats are such a nice touch!

    The second is "Mutiny," another Zhik card that takes over a ship from your enemy. The card art is of a couple of Slug heads on top of human bodies holding a rubber mask human head in their hands. The sheer silliness of seeing those slugs somehow fooling a whole ship crew with rubber human masks is something I find hilarious.

    I know a couple of people in our community, like jonrossi, don't like the funny art as much as the more serious and they are right that it generally doesn't fit the mood of the games. But I think it lends a touch of light-heartedness to what could have been a completely humorless game.

    What type of TCG player are you? For example, are you an Art Lover, a Competitor, an Innovator?
    I think I like to play weird theme decks, often with a significant non-native tech splash. I used to be much more competitive and winning made me happy. Now I enjoy the games much more since winning doesn't matter as much.

    What do you like best about Star Chamber?
    I love that Star Chamber combines what is best about 4x space games with the surprise and combination potential of card games. It really is very unique in this regard, and it appeals to fans of both genres. Also, I should mention that the player community is a bit older than average, and consequently much more mature and friendly. The difficulty of the game tends to drive away the irritating players. That said, we do have some younger players, but they don't fit into the "I TEH Puh-OWNeRD U NOOB!!!11!1" category. Thank god for that!

    Could you describe, in brief, a memorable game you had, or opponent you faced, and why it stands out in your mind?
    I've had many, but my favorite game was actually a draft tournament game. I was playing ExtraJoss and we had an epic, 30 turn (the game usually can't go longer than 30 turns, except in very specific and very rare circumstances) in which EJ finally pulled out a cultural victory literally right before I would have won a political victory. After fighting for 20 turns, EJ had more culture than I did and we both were only 1 powerplay vote away from winning. I, however, I had a larger voting contingent than he did. But he had two ways to win (either by beating me on the culture vote or the powerplay vote) and I only had 1 (powerplay) - which meant I had to decide where to place my superior number of voters in those two categories, and EJ outfoxed me and won the culture vote and the game.

    Do you run or work for an OSG or TCG Fan Site?
    No, but I have written a number of articles for both new and veteran players, available at www.kitsdb.com - the best SC resource ever.

    What is one thing no one would ever suspect about you?
    When I was a sophomore in college and traveling around Europe, I was thrown into a Czech prison for a day. It was all a big misunderstanding! I swear! I had no idea she was the police captain's daughter!

    Feel free to leave Zorro a friendly note in the Star Chamber forums!



  • That time of year is almost here...

    The time when SOE players from near and far gather in one place to celebrate their favorite MMOs by engaging in fun, food and fraternization! But there will be some that walk among the crowd... a couple players so respected by their gaming peers that they will have the distinct honor of being crowned SOE's second annual Players of the Year!

    Will you be one of them?

    To celebrate the 2008 Las Vegas Fan Faire (Aug. 14-17), Sony Online Entertainment will select and bring two lucky players to the Hilton Hotel to join in the festivities. So, here's your chance to nominate a friend (or even yourself) for this coveted title! We want to know who YOU think is the most deserving and why.

    From Wednesday, July 2, 2008, (12:01 am, US Pacific Time) through Friday, July 11, 2008 at (11:59 pm, US Pacific Time), Sony Online Entertainment will be hosting the Official Fan Faire "Players of the Year" contest. Participating games include EverQuest, EverQuest II, Star Wars Galaxies, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, EverQuest Online Adventures, The Matrix Online and PlanetSide.

    Good luck to everyone and we hope to see you all in Las Vegas for Fan Faire!

    Contest:
    Do you know someone who is the poster child for your MMO? Someone so dedicated that they walk around bloodshot and sleep deprived in their favorite wrinkled gaming T-shirts and baseball caps (what else would they be wearing?). Someone who goes so above and beyond the call of duty helping other community members in-game, out-of-game and everywhere in-between that they're practically an online Mother Theresa? Well, they just might be the perfect candidate for SOE Player of the Year and we want to know more about them!

    Nominate a fellow player (or yourself) by writing a 200 word (or less) letter or role-play story explaining why the person deserves to be an SOE Player of the Year. Optional - you can also include a link to an image (screen capture, artwork, video or photo) with your entry as support for your story but please note that a written submission is still required.

    How to Enter:
    Please view the Official Contest Rules to determine eligibility for this contest before submitting an entry.

    Submissions should be sent in an e-mail to SOEContests@soe.sony.com. Be sure to include all of the following information with your submission:

    • Subject of Email: SOE Player of the Year - Main Game Name (Include game name in the subject).
    • Real Name:
    • Character Name:
    • Server Name:
    • Station Name: (User Name - do no include passwords)
    • Mailing Address: (Street Address Apt #, City, Zip Code - Do not use PO Box)
    • Forum Community Handle: (If applicable)
    • E-mail Address:
    • Submission Text:
    • The written entry can be placed directly in the body of the email.
    • Written entries should be plain text (.txt), word document (.doc), or rich text (.rtf).
    • Entries should be in Times New Roman text format, font size 12.
    • Please do not use indents, smiley faces, or all caps and avoid slang terms unless it fits within the theme of your entry.
    • Spell out server names, city names, and other terminology as much as possible.
    • Please use spell checker before submitting the entry. Entries will be reviewed for typos but those that require too much editing may be disqualified.
    • Length: 200 words or less.

    Additional Nomination Submission Information:

    • If you are nominating someone as Player of the Year, you may want to let them know in case they would prefer not to be considered.
    • We will not need you to include their station account or mailing address. We only need Character Name and Server name. We'll retrieve the extra information where needed.
    • Be sure to have the person you are nominating update their email address on their Sony Station account.
      Optional Image Information:
    • You can include a link to where the image (screen capture, artwork, video or photo) is hosted but all files must be hosted externally. The supporting image work will not be downloaded so it has to be readily accessible in that location.
    • Do not include anything with your submission that is copyrighted.

    Contest Rules:

    1. Please review the Official Contest Rules before submitting a nomination.
    2. Nominees must be an active SOE subscriber to at least one of the games with account being in good standing.
    3. Must be a US resident and 21 years of age.
    4. Please remember to stay within the Terms of Service Agreement when participating in this contest or you will be disqualified and further action may be taken. This includes inappropriate names, words, or images.
    5. Within the Terms of Service Agreement, it states that by submitting (e.g., uploading or transmitting) Content to an SOE Communication Feature, you automatically grant SOE the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, and fully sublicensable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display such Content (in whole or part) worldwide and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed. In addition, you warrant that any and all so-called "moral rights" in the Content have been waived.

  • Registration is still open for the annual SOE Fan Faire being held on August 14-17, 2008 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

    Whether you're a player of one of SOE's many games, or someone who just loves games and good times, SOE Fan Faire is the party where you'll find friends and a whole lot of gaming fun stuffed into an unforgettable three days!

    Don't miss out on your chance to meet fellow MMO players from around the world, participate in discussion panels, live events, and tournaments, and mingle with the teams behind each of the SOE games.

    For more information, visit the official SOE Fan Faire Website.

    Chat about Fan Faire with other players in the Star Chamber Forums!

  • Registration is now open for the annual SOE Fan Faire being held on August 14-17, 2008 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

    Whether you're a player of one of SOE's many games, or someone who just loves games and good times, SOE Fan Faire is the party where you'll find friends and a whole lot of gaming fun stuffed into an unforgettable three days!

    Don't miss out on your chance to meet fellow MMO players from around the world, participate in discussion panels, live events, and tournaments, and mingle with the teams behind each of the SOE games.

    For more information, visit the official SOE Fan Faire web site.

  • John Smedley, one of the original creators of "EverQuest" and the president of Sony Online since 2000, has watched the rapid changes in the space his company once owned, and he believes it's time for a change.

    In his keynote speech at an online game conference in Seattle recently, Smedley spoke of the need to reinvent the MMO - and he says the two new games his company is developing, "The Agency" and "Free Realms," will do just that.

    Read the entire article and Smed's interview on MSNBC's Technology & Science.

  • On Thursday, May 22nd Tech Support will be closed from 11:30am-3:00pm and will resume operations from 3:00pm-7:00pm Pacific Time. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.

    Regards,

    SOE Customer Service Team

  • This week we feature a player from Star Chamber.

    Real Life First Name: Christopher

    Forum Handle: Riddlemaker (And has been that way since the start)

    Game Handle: Riddlemaker

    Where do you live?
    Chicago, IL

    How long have you played Star Chamber?
    Since the Beta... that would have been my junior year of college, so at least 4 years now.

    Do you play Stargate, Legends of Norrath or Pirates CSG?
    Nope.

    Do you play any physical TCGs?
    Yep. When I was younger it was DBZ, which I consider to be quite innovative. Now, I focus more on the Marvel/DC VS System.

    What got you into gaming and what sort of games do you like the most?
    I've been playing games as far back as I can remember. In the beginning it was mostly platformers like Mario. In my high school years my friends got me addicted to RPGs, and not Coke like good friends would... lousy bunch of nerds. (I don't advocate drug use. Stay in school.) I have the unique talent of being able to pick up any fighter or shooter and be good at it instantly. Age of Empires II got me into the strategy world, and I've never looked back. Penny Arcade brought me to the Star Chamber, and I've loved it from the first time I played as the Androids.

    What type of work do you do?
    I'm a Merch right now, but I'm going back to school for my masters in high level Communications Theory.

    What other hobbies or activities do you take part in, other than Star Chamber?
    I'm an actor, and as you all know from the fan fiction page... I write. I love to write.

    What is your favorite deck type?
    Mod Squad.

    What is your favorite card (playability-wise)?
    Dreadnaught, or Planet Killer. When you see those cards play, no matter how good you're doing you say: "Oh crap!"

    What is your favorite card (art-wise)?
    Zhik cards crack me up. I love the art on those... very cartoonish, and fits them perfectly.

    What type of TCG player are you? For example, are you an Art Lover, a Competitor, an Innovator?
    Mostly a Collector... but if I got to compete more I'd consider myself a Competitor.

    What do you like best about Star Chamber?
    The fact that it is one of the few games that still challenge me makes it one of the best games I've ever played. I lose more than I win, and I'm quite proud of that. If I won all the time there'd be no fun, and I'd just quit.

    Could you describe, in brief, a memorable game you had, or opponent you faced, and why it stands out in your mind?
    Eno. That name should bring back some bad nightmares for everyone. This one time I was doing excellent in a tournament, one of the few times and I get stuck playing Eno in the third round. I had won my first two matches, and I sure as hell was gonna try to win the third. In short, he beat me. Eno beat me bad. I was Android, he was Thrass... It seemed like some kind of cruel joke. The Thrass were terrible in the old days, but Eno made them work. I tried to take his home world, but he destroyed it, and in doing so, some how collected a major amount of destiny to win the game. To this day, I still don't know what card he used.

    Do you run or work for an OSG or TCG Fan Site?
    No, I just create fan-fiction for Star Chamber.

    What is one thing no one would ever suspect about you?
    I like Bubbles from the Powerpuff Girls. She totally rocks! (I really didn't know what else to say)

    Feel free to leave Riddlemaker a friendly note in the Star Chamber forums!

  • This Friday, May 2nd SOE Phone Support will be closed for a few hours from 10am - 12:30pm Pacific Time. Phone Support will resume operation from 12:30pm - 7pm Pacific Time. We apologize for the inconvenience.

    SOE Customer Support Team

  • If you've never been to an SOE Fan Faire before, you've been missing out! Fan Faire is a great place for SOE gamers to mix and mingle with each other and meet some of the faces behind their favorite SOE games. Here's just a taste of some of the great stuff we're planning:

    • In-game tournaments
    • Live, game-themed tournaments and quests
    • A costume contest
    • Lots of social activities, including a Kickoff Reception, a Grand Banquet and a VIP Party with live entertainment
    • Sneak peeks at SOE titles currently in development
    • The 2nd Annual Community Address from SOE President John Smedley
    • Developer forums and roundtables

    And that's just the beginning! No matter which SOE game you like to play, Fan Faire will be a blast! Even if you're not an SOE gamer, we encourage you to join us and bring your friends!

    Passes will go on sale later this Spring, but you can book your hotel stay now! The Las Vegas Hilton is currently accepting reservations at the discounted Fan Faire rate of just $139 per night. Just call (800) 635-7711 and tell them you're with Sony Online Entertainment, booking code SSOE8 or click here to make online reservations. Space is limited – so get your room soon, in case they sell out!

    Hope to see you in Las Vegas!

    Watch for passes to go on sale and other Fan Faire announcements on the Fan Faire site.

  • This week we feature a player from Star Chamber.

    Real Life First Name: Armand

    Forum Handle, Game Handle: doctoryes here and in-game

    Where do you live? Los Angeles

    How long have you played Star Chamber? Summer '06

    Do you play Stargate, Legends of Norrath, or Pirates CSG? Nope

    Do you play any physical TCGs? No

    What got you into gaming and what sort of games do you like the most? No other game has held my attention. The only other game I play at all is called "SET". Oh, not true, I'm also the inventor of Trivial Charades. It's played exactly like Trivial Pursuit, but you don't use the questions, only the answers as puzzles for Charades. (Memorable moments include "Straights of Magellan", "Paris, France" and "Evolution".)

    What other hobbies or activities do you take part in, other than Star Chamber? Golf

    What is your favorite deck type? Zhikanii Anti-Clave (thanks Zorro!)

    What is your favorite card (playability-wise)? Engine Upgrade

    What is your favorite card (art-wise)? Robot Duel (also a runner-up for favorite card, since it creates a sort of sub-game, particularly in multi-player).

    What type of TCG player are you? For example, are you an Art Lover, a Competitor, an Innovator? I'm a Competitor and a Researcher (nicer word for Imitator). Even after playing for this long I still watch certain players' matches and write down every card they play from turn 1 on. The sheer number of viable strategies in SC is mind-boggling. I'm also an Art Lover in the sense that I prefer winning with a strange deck to a strong one. I can also appreciate a loss in a close match as long as I didn't bring it on with an error.

    What do you like best about Star Chamber? SC is the finest strategy game in existence, largely because of the dedication to theme within each race and tech through all 6 sets. There is really only one broken card at this point, Gone Rogue. It's pretty incredible actually. I understand that most TCG's are a shambles after a couple of expansions.

    Could you describe, in brief, a memorable game you had, or opponent you faced, and why it stands out in your mind? I was playing Ferrier against a very beefy Android deck. There was a certain amount of chest-thumping going on so I hoarded all 4 tractor beams for the inevitable home world assault. I played a Weapon Lockup on the turn my opponent attacked but still got fairly mauled. When I played all four tractors on the second turn of battle it still wasn't enough to wipe out his ridiculously huge fleet, but he did decline to continue the battle. "Watching your opponent limp off to die... Priceless..."

    Do you run or work for an OSG or TCG Fan Site?No, but I've written a number of articles for kitsdb.com, particularly focusing on orienting new players. The latest is called "What to Expect", and can be found at: http://www.kitsdb.com/StarChamber/Articles/WhatToExpect.php. A more general article is stickied on the forums: http://forums.station.sony.com/strategygames/posts/list.m?topic_id=7313.

    Feel free to send doctoryes a friendly note on the Star Chamber forums!

  • Beginning at 9:00 AM PDT on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 all SOE account and commerce flow, the Station Store, character transfer service, and the CSG Store will be unavailable for maintenance.

    We expect this maintenance to take approximately three and a half hours. During this maintenance period game servers will still be accessible. Please watch the forums for further updates regarding this maintenance. We apologize for this interruption and will resume the affected services as soon as the maintenance is completed.

  • Beginning at 4am PST/11am GMT on April 1, 2008 all game servers and community sites will be unavailable due to network maintenance. We expect this maintenance to take approximately 5 hours.

    We apologize for this interruption and will resume all game servers and community sites as soon as the maintenance is completed.

  • Pirates CSG Online introduces its 7th expansion, Pirates of the Revolution! Marines, ships, and characters from American history come alive in this new set. John Paul Jones, his ship the Bonhomme Richard, and his deadly enemy the HMS Serapis face off amidst the ever-present dangers of Foul Winds and treacherously beautiful Mermaids. Protect your Forts with Marines, and fire your enemy's ships to the waterline with Firepot Specialists. With this many new cards, mayhem under the American flag has never been so much fun!

    "I have not yet begun to fight!"- John Paul Jones

    Click here for all the details!

  • To provide our customers with more credit card security, Sony Online Entertainment has partnered with Visa and MasterCard. Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode have now been added to our Station Store purchase flow.

    Q. How will this affect SOE customers?

    A. When adding new subscriptions, changing a subscription, or purchasing software from the Station Store, you will be prompted to join Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode. An application will pop up and prompt you to join the security program. Please enter all requested information. This is a secure site and only Visa or MasterCard will have your information.

    After you have signed up for the security program, you will need to login again to verify that the card has been secured.

    Q. How much does it cost to join Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode?

    A. It is completely free to join Visa and MasterCard's security programs for online purchases.

    Q. Why should I give Sony Online Entertainment my personal information?

    A. The information requested for these programs is not stored on any SOE servers. These programs are provided by Visa and MasterCard. Only Visa and MasterCard will retain the information you provide for your security.

    Q: What if my card issuer does not currently support Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode?

    A: Sony Online Entertainment will still accept transactions from card issuers who do not use either program.

    Please visit the Verified by Visa and Master Card SecureCode sign up pages for more information about these programs and how to sign up.

  • We apologize for the short notice. This Friday, March 21st, Tech Support will be limited to Email only. Phone and Live Chat support will resume operation on Monday, March 24th from 10am-7pm Pacific Time.

  • Keep Your Characters Safe!

    Account theft isn't isolated only to those who choose to trade or share their station accounts. (which is ignoring the EULA!) As the internet and online gaming population grows, so does the cesspool of scammers.There are a variety of ways in which people will attempt to gain access to your account, and the list grows everyday. Fear not, there are simple tips to ensure that your account is protected. Keep in mind these worn-out (but useful!) words of wisdom:

    Sharing your account information is never a good idea.

    Gamers have heard the advice before, yet a lot of people still opt to share their account information with close friends. Having a guildmate complete a quest for you while you're sleeping may seem mostly harmless, but bad things can happen. While it doesn't always end in catastrophe, you could log back in with a new last name like "Lovetrollslongtime" or something slightly worse which might result in a banning. It's not always obvious, malicious attacks that cause good accounts to go bad!

    I'm sure we've all heard the fateful stories of guildbanks emptied and outfit members booted. Sadly, this is often a direct result of sharing account information. Not only do you run the risk of virtual strangers reeking havoc on all you've worked hard for, but you make it difficult for SOE's customer service staff to investigate and resolve issues.



    Be aware of phishing sites!

    What is a phishing site? Simply, it's usually a website created to mimic a well-known or frequently used site in an attempt to fraudulently gain sensitive account information. Gaming communities have been targeted in the past via email, spamming a link that takes the reader to a site that, upon first glance, appears to be legit. The imposter site may offer in-game items for completing surveys, or pose as a game representative, warning that your account is in limbo.

    Here at SOE we do not offer enticing ways to earn in-game money through email. We prefer the old fashioned way of logging in, killing mobs, completing quests, etc. Be extremely cautious when exposed to external sites through email, claiming to be affiliated with Sony Online. You will only be prompted to enter your password when logging into an SOE game, or when visiting an official Station site.



    SOE employees will NEVER ask for your password.

     Not in email. Not in-game. Not on the phone. Never! We have ample ways to access your account; the only thing we require from you is patience and a Station name. If you suspect that someone is impersonating a CSR in-game, use the /report feature and again, do not divulge your account password.

    Things you should know:

     Account security is the responsibility of the account owner. This includes password protection, running virus checks, disabling file sharing, or any other means of checking that the owner's account has not been stolen or compromised.

    If you find yourself a victim, not all is lost! CSR's may be able to offer a one-time only "character restoration." But first you must recover your account (details on doing this can be found here.)SOE strives to maintain an exciting and safe gaming environment. To make things more enjoyable for everyone, we offer basic advice on how to keep your account secure.

    Time Honored Tips:
    • Use a unique Station name.
    • Use an alpha-numeric password consisting of at least 8 characters; a mix of letters, numbers and special characters is best. Never write down your password!
    • Never use the same word for your Station name and password; change it periodically.
    • Never trust a troll in a dress.
    • Always create a secret question when prompted (this allows for quicker password recovery and confirmation when needed.)
    • Keep your registration information, including current email address, up to date in so that we can contact you regarding your account and for retrieving lost passwords. (SOE will not use your email for marketing purposes, unless you specifically opt in for newsletters and announcements.)

    Keep your credit card information safe too. Here is a handy place to get some good tips.

  •    

    As announced in a press release today, effective April 1, 2008 Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) will report to Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI). The new structure is designed to mutually benefit both companies by further accelerating the PlayStation business through SOE's strong online gaming expertise.

    SOE is currently part of Sony Pictures Entertainment. Under the new structure, SOE will continue to develop its games for the PC and the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system.

    The day to day workings of SOE will not change and no employees will be let go. We are thrilled and excited by this change in structure! As Smed was quoted in the press release, "This move is going to broaden our capabilities and expand the development of our products into new and exciting directions."

    Press Release

  • Thursday March 13th, 2008 Technical and Account/Billing will open at 10:30 am.

    Please visit the support site at http://www.station.sony.com/en/support/ to submit your inquiries.

    Normal Support will resume on Friday, March 14th from 10am to 7pm.

  • Welcome to the first Online Strategy Card Games Player Profile! Each week a player from a different OSCG will be featured. Get to know your fellow players a little better!

    OSCG Player Profile of the Week: Leto

    Real Life First Name: Daryl

    Forum Handle: Leto

    Game Handle: Leto

    Where do you live?

    I travel a lot, but my official residence is Michigan.

    How long have you played Star Chamber?

    3-4 years.

    Do you play Stargate Online, Legends of Norrath, or Pirates CSG?

    I have tried both Stargate and Legends of Norrath (LoN). I played Stargate during its open beta. I actively play LoN, it's a nice contrast to Star Chamber. While Star Chamber is an intense, thought-challenging exercise, LoN is less skill-demanding. Neither game has captivated me the way Star Chamber does, but I play LoN as much these days to keep competitive for the generous prize support that game offers.

    Do you play any physical TCGs?

    No.

    What got you into gaming and what sort of games do you like the most?

    I like turn-based strategy games that allow one to customize their strategy from start to finish. I don't really like reaction-time games as a rule, although for some reason I love Smash Brothers. I look forward for that to get released. I've been a gamer since I was young, but Star Chamber certainly rekindled that to the point that I consider myself a gamer. I also love board games, particularly Eurostyle games and auction games.

    What type of work do you do?

    Graduate student in Cognitive Psychology.

    What other hobbies or activities do you take part in, other than Star Chamber?

    My main hobby is making electronic music. If you want to hear some of my music search: Daryl Fougnie music. I'll even get around to adding my newest tracks one of these days.

    What is your favorite deck type?

    I play all races and have given all major deck archetypes a whirl. I must confess that I think I like Ixa the most. When one compares an Ixa deck to an Omior or Clave deck, it is striking how different in concept they are. The Omior card pool is full of powerful cards, and Omior decks don't need to rely on the synergy of the cards as much. In contrast, Ixa decks have to really fine tune their deck strategy to take advantage of their card pool. As my strategy involves manipulating my deck synergy to gain maximum advantage, I find that Ixa is a fun and creative challenge. It must be said though, all races have creative decks.

    What is your favorite card(playability-wise)?

    I'll start with my first impulse, and explain why this didn't make the cut for me (by the way I am choosing based on how much the card adds to the game, not based on power). Calculor was the first card I thought of, principally because that one card creates a whole new deck archetype to play. Indeed, Calculor decks are fairly powerful and a whole lot of fun to play. However, I can't pick this card as # 1 since it does not fit with one of Star Chamber's strengths. Star Chamber is a very interactive game, where you're constantly fighting, and reacting to your opponent's moves. In contrast, games like Stargate can feel a bit like you're playing two separate non-interacting games. Calculor's weakness as a great card comes at the expense of the fact that you can turtle and just essentially solitaire your way to a victory. It's still fun, and your opponent can still stop you, but, as I said, my best games involve a constant battle for position, and a constant attempt to out-maneuver/bluff/position/guess your opponent. So my # 1 pick is Mirror Universe. Again, this is a card that single-handedly creates a new archetype. And when this drops, suddenly the state of the universe is reshaped, creating tension and the need to reevaluate goals. As a card, it requires careful planning to take advantage of, while also being important to consider if you're playing against an opponent that could drop the card at any point.

    What is your favorite card(art-wise)?

    I would have to say Slander or Term Limits

    What type of TCG player are you? For example, are you an Art Lover, a Competitor, an Innovator?

    I'd have to go with innovator. I enjoy building and trying crazy decks, even if they aren't competitive. The last major deck build I designed involved using Harbinger's Rain to turn the Star Chamber into a barren planet. I actually built that deck because a player suggested that Harbinger's Rain was useless. I had decided to see if I could prove the statement wrong. I think I proved that it has a use, although not a game-winning one :p

    What do you like best about Star Chamber?

    I like that a skilled Star Chamber player will never lose to a newer player based on a bad draw. I like that the game forces you to consider both the cards you can play, and the moves you can make on a Map-based galaxy. I like that as a TCG it doesn't have the typical feel of each player playing to their own strategy. It's a game of realpolitik and intense strategy. It's got everything that a strategy game needs and is one of the few TCGs where the player's turns happen simultaneously. In short, it's a grownups' TCG.

    Could you describe, in brief, a memorable game you had, or opponent you faced, and why it stands out in your mind?

    Over the years I've had lots of great Star Chamber games. Certainly I've had many Multiplayer games that were unique experiences. In one intense game, each of the 4 players had brought and achieved some crazy combo of cards. I had 4 Show of Forces + Stealth Bombers + Despotic Senator. There was also a Mirror Universe deck, a massive citizen creating Silica, and a Spreading the Message deck. With all that going on, 150s turns are not enough! I lost to KrazyKow's Mirror Universe deck, but I probably could have won if I had been smart enough to optimize the Show of Forces.

    Do you run or work for an OSG or TCG Fan Site?

    Nope.

    What is one thing no one would ever suspect about you?

    Heh, wouldn't you all like to know…

  • Beginning at 1am PDT/8am GMT on Wednesday, March 12th all SOE services including game servers, forums, game websites, and subscription services will be unavailable due to system maintenance. We expect all services to be back up at approximately 7am PST.

    We apologize for this interruption and will resume all affected services as soon as the maintenance is completed.

  • Your job is clear; hunt down the Forsworn and force them to retake their oaths to the Tribunal or face the consequences! You will not be alone in this. Along the way meet up with the Oathbound heroes Terin, Cyndra, Karlemayne and Eluviel and employ their special skills to help you achieve your goals.

    Inquisitor, the latest and greatest addition to Legends of Norrath, features 250-plus cards including new units, avatars, abilities, items, and loot. Get the scoop on all the new features here. Then head over to the Design & Strategy Articles forum where you'll find great articles on Inquisitor by the LoN game designers.

    Starting today and running through the weekend, the Tournaments Lobby will be hosting Release Events. Each player will receive one random Inquisitor Starter Deck and 3 Inquisitor Booster packs to build their tournament deck. Each participant will also receive a Burynai Rockshaper (3P2) digital promo card! Please see the Events Calendar for details. Don't miss it!

  • Gary Gygax, co-creator of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game has passed away today. We here at Sony Online Entertainment count ourselves amongst the millions of people influenced by this mans ideas, dreams, and hard work. Many of our games are a part of the grand legacy of fantasy worlds inspired by our first steps into the lands of Greyhawk, Krynn, Toril, and countless others, made possible by Gary’s game.

    In his lifetime, Gygax was the creative mind behind not just the Dungeons & Dragons gaming system, but a host of other fantasy role-play systems such as Dangerous Journeys, Lejendary Adventures, and more. He lived and worked as a game designer, novelist, editor, businessman, gamer, and husband and father.

    Over the years Gary has received numerous awards for his contribution to the gaming industry including entry into the Origin's 'Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame,' tying with J. R. R. Tolkien on GameSpy's '30 Most Influential People in Gaming' list in 2002, as well as serving as the Premiere Guest of Honor at Gen Con in 2007.

    From the beginning of the RPG industry to his very last days, Gary has continued to contribute to a wealth of games and supplements that can be found in game shops everywhere.

    Our condolences go out to the Gygax family, and to all our fellow gamers with the passing of this gaming legend. Thank you Gary, for your work and influence over the years.

    Gary Gygax at Gen Con 2007

    Gary Gygax at Gen Con Indy 2007
    Source: Wikipedia

  • Beginning at 9am PST/5pm GMT on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 all SOE Account and Commerce flow, the Station Store and the CSG Store with be unavailable for the purpose of adding Payer Authentication (Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode Programs).

    We expect this maintenance to take approximately 4 hours. During this maintenance period game servers will still be accessible. Please watch the forums for further updates regarding this maintenance.

    We apologize for this interruption and will resume the affected services as soon as the maintenance is completed.

  • Every Friday the Community Team gets together in an SOE game for some (fun) competition and to experience the games from a player's standpoint. Now's your chance to show off how awesome this game is! Vote for Star Chamber and get us all in here trying to blow up each other's homeworlds or lock each other out of the Star Chamber!

  • To provide our customers with increased credit card security, Sony Online Entertainment will be partnering with Visa and MasterCard. In a few weeks SOE will add Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure to our Station store purchase flow.

    Q. How will this affect an SOE customer?

    A. When adding new subscriptions, changing a subscription or purchasing software from the station store you, the customer, will be prompted to join Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure. An application will pop up and prompt you to join the security program.

    Q. How much does it cost to join Verified by Visa or MasterCard secure?

    A. It is completely free to join Visa and MasterCard's security for online purchases.

    Q. Why should I give Sony Online entertainment my personal information?

    A. The information requested for these programs is not stored on any SOE servers. These programs are provided by Visa and MasterCard. Only Visa and MasterCard will retain the information you provide for your security.

    When accessing the Verified by Visa and MasterCard sign up page, please enter all requested information. This is a secure site and only Visa or MasterCard will have your information. After you have signed up for the security program, you will need to login again to verify that the card has been secured.



  • Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced a progressive new scholarship program with The Art Institutes designed to educate and recruit more women into the video game industry. The official SOE G.I.R.L. -- Gamers In Real Life -- scholarship is the first of its kind with The Art Institutes to encourage students toward career paths in the creative and applied arts, ultimately resulting in the development of games that are more interesting for women to play. Read the full article at Earthtime.org and learn more about this scholarship program.

  • SOE is currently looking to fill several intern positions on various teams. An internship at SOE is a prearranged learning experience designed to place students on a project that is relevant to their academic and professional goals. Interns will work as part of a team with people from many professional backgrounds while testing their skills working on a project. A mentor will be assigned to each intern, who will provide continual guidance and feedback until completion of the internship.

    These are paid part-time positions (approximately 9 weeks in length) that provide invaluable real-work experience and offer students an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally as well as make tremendous networks for future career opportunities.

    See all the intern positions SOE has available by going to SOE Career Opportunities.

  • Monday February 18, 2008 Technical and Account/Billing staffing will be limited to Chat and email support. Please visit the support site at http://www.station.sony.com/en/support/ to submit your inquiries.

    Phone Support will resume on Tuesday, February 19th from 10am to 7pm.

    Thank you!

    SOE Customer Support Team

  • On Monday, February 11, 2008 from approximately 3:45pm PST until 4:45 pm PST, all SOE forums will be down for maintenance. The downtime is planned for only one hour.

  • John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment, is back for another installment in his regular blog. In this edition, he shares details about SOE's fight with combating fraud and the solutions being implemented in the near future.

    Click here to read the Station Blog!