LucasArts and SOE announced today that Squadrons Over Corellia, the first expansion for the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, is coming out this year. Considering we're almost through with November, it should be released soon.

Squadrons Over Corellia expands on the first release Champions of the Force, released last August, by adding a new game mechanic to the online trading card game with the addition of all-new strategy-altering starship cards for players to dominate their opponents from space.

The expansion will add more than 250 new playable cards and 22 new loot cards. Wookiees and Rodians are being added to the game, as are Emperor Palpatine, Han Solo, Wedge Antilles and Jabba the Hutt.

The full press release regarding the announcement is below, or you can visit the TCG Web site for more information.

NOVERMBER 25, SAN FRANCISCO – LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment announced today the development of the second release to the successful Star Wars Galaxies™ Trading Card Game, Squadrons Over Corellia, scheduled for release this year.

Squadrons Over Corellia expands on the first release Champions of the Force, released last August, by adding a new game mechanic to the online trading card game with the addition of all-new strategy-altering starship cards for players to dominate their opponents from space. In Squadrons Over Corellia, players will once again take up arms for the Empire or Rebels and battle over a secret Rebel base on the Corellian moon of Talus. This strategic stronghold acts as a launch point for Rebel sabotage efforts in the Corellian system, and harbors one of the last known Jedi Knights, Rachi Sitra.

Squadrons Over Corellia will add more than 250 new playable cards and 22 new loot cards to the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, bringing the total number of cards in the game to more than 550. The new playable cards will feature space-based units that can:
• Support ground units with heavy fire power;
• Transport units from quest to quest;
• Increase resources with smuggling runs;
• Shield and enhance the player’s avatar.

In addition, Squadrons Over Corellia will introduce exciting new cards to the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game:
• New Star Wars character cards – Players can add a host of powerful iconic Star Wars characters to their virtual decks, including Emperor Palpatine, Han Solo, Wedge Antilles and Jabba the Hutt;
• Two New Species – Players can choose to play as Wookiees or the Rodians, each with customizable stats and abilities;
• New Loot Cards – More than 20 new Loot Cards will be available, including the V-wing Starfighter and a powerful buff, the Sanyassan Skull, that can be redeemed with an active account* in the Star Wars Galaxies MMO.

The Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game marks the first ever Star Wars trading card game offered exclusively online. Available to both current and former Star Wars Galaxies subscribers*, the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game provides players an entirely new gameplay experience by combining the challenge of a trading card game with the adventures and community of the massively multiplayer game. Players can build their own virtual decks to fight in the story mode, epic one-on-one matches, cooperative Heroic Encounters, and official tournaments.

In addition, all Star Wars Galaxies subscribers with current, valid, paid accounts in good standing are eligible to automatically receive five digital trading card Booster Packs each month included with their paid Star Wars Galaxies subscription at no additional cost, providing a simple way to quickly and easily build their decks.

Anyone wishing to try the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game can do so at no charge through a downloadable trial that includes limited access to a tutorial and practice games with a provided virtual Starter card deck.

The Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game may be also be accessed from inside Star Wars Galaxies, and is available to trial players as part of the Star Wars Galaxies 14-Day Trial. This trial, offered at no charge for up to two consecutive weeks, also includes all of the content of the base game, Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided™ and its first expansion, Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed™. Available by download from www.StarWarsGalaxies.com, the 14-Day Trial gives players a chance to become part of the Star Wars galaxy and meet and fight with or against their favorite Star Wars characters as they explore this massive online universe filled with thousands of other Star Wars fans.

More information about the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game and its first expansion, Squadrons Over Corellia, along with the game’s trial can be found at www.StarWarsGalaxies.com/tradingcardgame.