The closing ceremonies on Star Wars Galaxies haven't finished quite yet. While the servers are down, just in time for the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, Sony Online Entertainment has prepared one final surprise for Galaxies fans. The "Memories Book" is being offered as a free download for all, and it chronicles the game from its beginning in 2003, all the way to its final moments.

"On behalf of the Star Wars Galaxies team, thank you," Tony 'Teesquared' Tyson said in a farewell letter. "We have truly enjoyed getting to know you - our dedicated players - over the years. From in-game events to Fan Faires, we appreciate your continued loyalty and support. It would not have been possible without you."

Read more: Where to download the book »

Sure, Star Wars: The Old Republic may have "officially" launched today, but let's not be too quick to forget what came before it. A few days ago, Sony Online Entertainment officially closed Star Wars Galaxies, and it appears many decided to come together for a final farewell. The Galaxies were lit up with fireworks, as members chatted in the game's closing moments.

A YouTube user managed to capture the last ten minutes, including the abrupt (and tear-jerking) "Disconnect" screen that ended the long-running MMO.

Watch: The final moments »

The end is beginning. Sony Online Entertainment is ending its long-running Star Wars Galaxies MMO. The company had promised a "galaxy-ending event." So, how will that work?

"The ongoing Galactic Civil War will escalate further as both sides seek to decisively win the epic conflict," a SOE community manager teased.

Read more: 'Going out with a bang' »

Some left Star Wars Galaxies long ago, vowing never to return. Others, however, are clinging onto their beloved MMO with an iron grip, going so far as to propose litigation to prevent its demise. Sony Online Entertainment CEO John Smedley told The Escapist why the MMO has to end--and the answer will surprise few.

"That's the problem with licenses: they end," Smedley said. When the game was first launched in 2001, the license was secured for five years, and had to be renegotiated multiple times over the years. "It was time to turn it off. We have a contractual relationship that's ending in 2012," Smedley added. Subsequently, Star Wars Galaxies ends on December 15th of this year. Read more »

What do you do when things don't go out of your way? File a lawsuit, of course. VentureBeat reports that "a number of Star Wars Galaxies players" have written the site, saying they want to file a lawsuit against Sony Online Entertainment. The reason? The company is shutting down the diminishing MMO.

Of course, VentureBeat properly notes that there's "zero chance" for this to gain support, because the end-user license agreement for the game affords Sony the ability to shut down the game: Read more »

It seems that this universe is only big enough for one Star Wars-themed MMO. Before BioWare's The Old Republic can begin, it seems that Sony Online Entertainment's Star Wars Galaxies must come to an end. In a letter sent to community members, SOE and LucasArts details plans to shut down all services for Star Wars Galaxies, including both the MMO and trading card game. "The shutdown of SWG is a very difficult decision, but SOE and LucasArts have mutually agreed that the end of 2011 is the appropriate time to end the game," the official notice reads. Service for the game will end on December 15th.

However, it appears Galaxies will not enter the MMO graveyard quietly. In fact, SOE is planning a "galaxy-ending event" that will become available during the last week of service. The final chapter of the game will be "written in part by the dedicated and passionate SWG community," although exact details on how fans can participate haven't been revealed. Read more »

[Update 12:30pm - XdM] An anonymous source at Sony Online Entertainment tells Shacknews that rumors of layoffs and the cancellation of The Agency are accurate. According to the source, a number of the layoffs also reduced the size of the EverQuest 2 team and although the Planetside Next team also took some layoffs, the project is alive and well. Read more »

Developer LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment have launched another content update today for the massively-multiplayer Star Wars Galaxies in tandem with a free-play offer for returning players.

The update is called "Star Wars Galaxies Galactic Civil War: Forces Under Siege". According to a press release from LucasArts, the update features "...new, massive invasion warfare scenarios in three major cities." Returning players can play for free from February 1st until March 1st, and account reactivation is automatic when the player logs in. Those who resubscribe during the free-to-play period will receive a special in-game painting as a bonus. Read more »

In an overlooked announcement just now making the rounds, LucasArts has revealed that the dead shall walk again in Sony Online Entertainment's MMORPG Star Wars: Galaxies, with a series of quests inspired by the upcoming Star Wars novel 'Death Troopers.'

"Players will be able to join together to fight horrific new enemies with a frightening affliction," LucasArts explains, with the book's blurb detailing "The dead are rising: soulless, unstoppable, and unspeakably hungry." Read more »

LucasArts has confirmed that Star Wars Galaxies (PC), the 2003 MMO from Sony Online Entertainment, won't be in danger of getting the axe because of Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC), the highly-anticipated MMO from BioWare Austin announced this week.

"We have many other features planned to support Star Wars Galaxies," said LucasArts' Tom Nichols to Eurogamer. "We see no reason why the two games can't exist together," he added. LucasArts is acting as publisher for The Old Republic. Read more »