LucasArts and SOE revealed their plans for the third expansion to the Galaxies title today. Set for release on the same day as the Episode III DVD hits the stores, Star Wars Galaxies: Trials of Obi-Wan will feature a range of new high-end content. Players will be challenged with gaining a better understanding of the Force and the galaxy as they endeavor to complete missions given to them by the spirit form of Anakin's old master. Many of the new quests will take players across the volcanic planet of Mustafar, a path that may even turn some players over to the dark side. There will be plenty of high level rewards for players to collect, including a fiery red crystal that will grant the finder a lava-like lightsabre, with characters that manage to complete all of Obi-Wan's objectives earning themselves a rich reward.

Mustafar will also provide a bountiful adventuring ground for all characters with over 50 unique quests that take place on the fiery planet, from rescue missions to the exploration of a crashed Republic cruiser. A certain character from the Knights of the Old Republic game will make a return after a 4000 year absence, driven by one simple mission goal: to eliminate all meatbags.

"With Trials of Obi-Wan being an expansion set for release via digital download the same day as the Episode III DVD, we can't think of a better planet to add to Star Wars Galaxies than Mustafar," said Julio Torres, Producer at LucasArts. "Meanwhile, including the spirit of Obi-Wan nicely bridges the prequel era and the more classic-oriented time period depicted in the game. We're really excited about continuing mythology established by other games, as well."

SOE will be hoping that the new expansion pack may be able to mitigate some of the damage that their utterly inept handling of the Combat Upgrade patch caused. While SWG may have sold over 1 million copies since its release, SOE's stewardship of the property hasn't been appreciated much by neither players nor LucasArts. This pack is probably the last gasp before the Star Wars license is shifted into a full breathing suit and trundled back to LucasArts for a serious overhaul.

If you can tear yourself away from the Revenge of the Sith DVD you may get an idea of how things will pan out on the pack's release date of November 1st. More soon.

By Sam Gibson