Star Wars

Star Wars is one of, if not the, most influential media franchises of all time, let alone its effect on science-fiction and fantasy. Indeed, among nerddom, it is challenged by only a few others, like Star Trek and The Lord of the Rings. The incredibly ardent fandom is spread worldwide and has a strong presence in popular culture. Many of the characters, like Darth Vader and Yoda, are iconic even to the general public. John Williams' score for the original trilogy is probably the best-known film score of all time. The universe has spawned numerous video games, hundreds of novels, multiple TV shows, one of the largest merchandising franchises ever, and, relevant to /tg/, a whole bunch of board, card, and roleplaying games.

The Basic Concept

Star Wars was originally a series of epic science-fantasy "space operas" that roughly followed the mythic cycle that's been around since Homer. They're set "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," where a mysterious life force called (reasonably enough) the Force permeates everything. This, in turn, can be wielded by certain people, giving them psuedo-magical abilities. Those who use it for good become mystical, selfless warrior monks called Jedi, whereas those who use it for evil are ruthless, self-serving bastards called Sith. However, the Force must always be in balance, so there's always some Jedi and some Sith.

The so-called Original Trilogy (made up of films IV through VI, released from 1977 to 1983) followed a young man named Luke Skywalker who becomes a Jedi and rebalances the Force. Meanwhile, the Rebel Alliance is fighting to end the oppressive Galactic Empire, which is secretly led by the Sith. Luke and his Rebel companions eventually defeat the evil Emperor Palpatine, but along the way they discover that his lieutenant, Darth Vader, is actually Luke's father.

The so-called Prequel Trilogy (made up of films I through III, released from 1999 to 2005) explained how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader and how the Galactic Empire was established. This involves a lot of convoluted politicking in the Republic, which is then torn apart in the Clone Wars, where the Republic (with an army of clones led by the Jedi) fights against the Confederacy (with an army of robots led by General Grievous and secretly controlled by the Sith). It was not as well received as the first trilogy, for reasons we'll talk about below.

There's also a new trilogy (presumably made up of films VII through IX) that is going to start in 2015. However, it's being directed by J.J. Abrams, who's mostly known for the skubtastic Star Trek reboot, so who knows how it'll end up being.

There are also two separate TV series that cover the Clone Wars. The first one, Clone Wars, was based on traditional animation, whereas the later one, The Clone Wars, was a weird 3d animation. They're both pretty good. There was also a terrible theatrical release that was basically just an advertisement for The Clone Wars, but, since it's even worse than the Prequel Trilogy (hint: babysitting Jabba the Hut's kid), nobody talks about it much.

And then there's the whole Expanded Universe, which covers pretty much everything not covered by the films, like the Old Republic (set hundreds of years before the prequel trilogy, when there were a hell of a lot more Sith and Jedi around) and the New Republic (set immediately after the original trilogy, explaining what became of all the characters. Also features Force-less Space Mongols). Update: No longer considered in the main canon of the films and TV series, due to the new sequel trilogy. The reaction to this was, well, mixed, for lack of a better word.

Why was it so popular?

Star Wars is accessible. It doesn't require extensive knowledge of a fictional world (a la The Lord of the Rings) or cultural background (as Star Trek sometimes requires) to make sense, although those elements are present for those who want them, albeit in the background. It has a variety of action and dialogue to make it interesting for both kids and adults (as well as allowing parents who grew up with it to watch it with their children, thereby hooking the next generation of viewers). It has simple, good-vs.-evil themes that resonate with almost anyone, anywhere, at any time. The science fiction elements are generally handled well if you don't obsess over Science Fiction harness (Issac Asimov rather enjoyed the films).

There's a ton of merchandise that is, of course, really cool. Also, given it's crossed over into the mainstream, many people feel comfortable being part of the community without feeling judged as "nerds" (as they might with Lord of the Rings, D&D, Star Trek, Warhammer, etc.).

Finally, there's the fact that the original trilogy films are simply good. The fact that they're not only watchable today, but still stand on their own as good films, is a testament to the story-telling ability of the team that made it. John Williams' excellent score, Ralph McQuarrie's amazing concept art, the impressive performances put in by all of the actors, and, hell, even George Lucas' drive and ambition all steered the films towards the cultural significance they enjoy today.

Characters

• Luke Skywalker: All-round good guy and idealist, despite some flaws, Luke wishes to learn the ways of the Force to defeat the Emperor and save the galaxy. A Jedi prodigy, he can lift heavy ton space fighters with just his force powers, though he struggles with doubts. Although he starts all brash and teenage and shit, by the conclusion of the trilogy, Luke is well on the way to becoming a wise and powerful Jedi ready to rebuild the Order.

• Han Solo: Loveable rogue who shoots his way out of debt with the mob, ends up a general, and bags himself a princess. Not a bad day's work. His ship, the Millennium Falcon, deserves a mention too for being as iconic as he is.

• Lando Calrissian: Suave, charismatic, and an expert con artist, this guy is the original pimp in space. He betrays Han and co. when Vader invades his city, later regrets it, and then atones by saving Han from the mafia and blowing up the Death Star 2.0.

• Admiral Ackbar: Giant tactical fish who has the need to point out obvious traps.

• Princess Leia: The regulation piece of lady crumpet in the movies, Princess Leia was a leader in the rebel alliance and Luke's long lost twin sister (spoiler!). Her being forced to wear a metal thong by an overweight space slug has since cemented her role as sex idol to legions of adoring fan boys. Despite her appearances, she was tough to boot, could decently fire a laser and went on to become a decent Jedi Warrior.

• C-3P0 and R2-D2: Two completely heterosexual and yet married for life robots who are the only characters to have been in the movies so far for some bizarre reason. C-3P0 is the shiny golden binge humanoid robot who constantly fusses and worries his pies are overdone in the oven while R2-D2 is the brash, brave husband figure who swings into action regardless. He looks like a salt shaker next to the Dalek's pepper shakers, although is he more a plucky rabbit to their rabid wild cats. The robots often have comedy roles in the movies, otherwise they might threaten to upstage the human actors if they became too useful.

• Chewbecca: The original furry in space. Nothing sexy about him; he is just hairy, huge, knows how to pilot a space ship, fix stuff fire a gun and get shit done which strangely then makes him the coolest furry ever.

• Obi-Wan Kenobi: If, at any point, in any work of fiction, the hero has an old master/father figure who teaches him part of what he knows, makes sure that he will grow up to be a virtuous and decent hero, but ultimately dies fighting a great evil to buy the hero time to escape, before returning as a spirit guide for the hero later, the Internet has probably accused that character of ripping off Obi-wan Kenobi. The prequels show him as a young Jedi and a deuterotagonist to Anakin Skywalker, acting as his master, teacher, partner, and dear friend before their eventual falling out ends with Anakin losing most of his major extremities and organs and Obi-wan hiding out in a cave waiting to turn into Alec Guinness.

• Yoda: Anicent wise master of the Jedi Order who is a tiny green alien. Because of his size and age, most assumed he was just a harmless old teacher, like your nice old granddad. His pulling out a lightsaber and engaging a Sith Lord in combat at the end of Attack of the Clones stands as one of the most surprising and popular fights of the movie series. Became the mascot of Star Wars despite being meant to be a wise master. Has a unique way of speaking, he does.

• Darth Vader: The face of evil and the most well known villain from Star Wars, he has become an iconic and memorable figure due to his menacing, robotic appearance and ultra-deep, weezy respirator voice. He is (spoiler!) secretly Anakin, Luke's fallen Jedi father, thus allowing him to be able to say the most memorable line in the film series, 'I am your Father!' Abaddon wishes he could be this sinister. His children eventually manage to rekindle the spark of human decency in his heart, and he redeems himself by giving up his own life to save them and destroy the Emperor.

• Padmé Amidala: Darth Vader's waifu who spends most of the prequel trilogy being a hopeless pacifistic idealist (which makes her a hypocrite with all the fighting scenes she's in.) Get's choked by Vader and dies giving birth to Luke and Leia, which ironically Vader was trying to prevent in the first place. Way to go, dochebag. Is hot because she is played by Natalie Portman.

• Jar-Jar Binks: Solely exists to fuck up everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING) at the worst possible moment. This guy is so hated by everyone in and out of universe that even Lucas shitcanned his role down into a very brief cameo at the end of Episode 3

• Jango and Boba Fett: Badass, silent mercs who get shit done and come from a line of Spartan/Vikings in space. Sadly, these two had very anticlimactic deaths (though Boba survived his, somehow.)

• Jabba the Hutt: Obese slug who is a cross between a Mexican drug cartel kingpin and Mafia crime-boss. He runs his criminal enterprise from an old palace-monastery on Tatooine. A /d/eviant at heart, likes to fap to hot alien chicks dancing for him, until they try to escape, then faps even harder when he feeds said chicks to Rancor. Gets strangled to death by a bikini-wearing Leia with her own chains, because symbolism.

• The Emperor: A creepy old wrinkly dude who sits in his badass evil throne constantly screaming "Just as planned!" And occasionally frying fools with force lightning. Built a giant planet-destroying weapon, years before Abaddon tried to do it, then built another, bigger one as a trap when the first one blew up. He is very clever, managing to scheme and outwit everyone in the prequel trilogy, moving them all into place so he could take over the galaxy (although he still needed a big superweapon anyway to hold onto said power). Chews so much scenery.

• Mace Windu: The original only black guy in space, he was the hardest-as-nails Jedi master of the council during the prequal trilogy and he is perhaps the most badass of the lot. If Anakin hadn't interfered, he would have killed Darth Sideious and none of the original trilogy would have taken place. His subsequent anti-climatic death in the movie is regarded with annoyance by many winduans.

• Qui-Gon Jinn: Liam Neeson as a Jedi. He was the only one smart enough to recognize a Sith plot, and would've uncovered and exposed Palpatine if it weren't for Darth Maul's sword going through his gut. Was the master of Obi-Wan ,and tried to teach Anakin the basics

• Count Dooku: An elegant, charasmatic, gentlemanly Sith Lord who had dreams of liberating the galaxy from Republic control, but didn't entirely count on his partner in crime to be a backstabbing douche bag. Hates Anakin/Vader for not being a gentleman.

• Darth Maul: Horned Sith only concerned with bloodshed and fighting. He'd do well as a Khornate Champion. Got his legs cut off, then came back more badass than ever, until he was utterly stomped by the Emperor. Wields a sick-looking double-bladed lightsaber.

• The Viceroy: Sniviling, cowardly alien who is in every sense of the word, a tool. Gets hilariously killed by Vader when the Sith Lord decides he wants to re-enact the Red Wedding.

• Death Star: Deserves to be a character all by itself, for it's iconic status and a menace that oozes more character then a hundred stormtroopers. It's way of saying hello to other planets is to kaboom the fuck out of them, so basically it is a planet's version of a bully. Abaddon has wet dreams about this and even hijacked the idea for his own super toy.

• Stormtroopers: The elite soldiers of the Galactic Empire. Originally, these soldiers were vat cloned in large numbers, trained from birth in combat and clad in environmentally sealed suits of their famous gleaming white full body armor. After rebels blew up the gene-banks, the Empire switched to an enlistment system. Numerous sub catagories exist, specializing to operate in different environments (deserts, frozen tundra, zero gravity, underwater, etc.) and serve different roles (Scouts and Jump-pack equipped troops). They are unwaveringly loyal and obedient to their Empire, ruthless and brutally efficient foes in combat, and incredibly precise shots with their state-of-the-art weapons. Save, of course, for those instances in which they are sent against the main characters of the series, but that's life when you're wearing a helmet.

• Ewoks: Strange little savage teddy bears that were only introduced towards the end of the last sixth film but instantly became such a fan hit they spawned their own animated kids show and merchandise beyond compare for the franchise (seriously). Considering they were brave (or mad?) enough to go up an army of Imperial Stormtroopers with Jetbikes and walkers means they are hardy little bastards. Oh and they ate them.

• Revan: Perhaps the most badass, or the most Mary-Sue, Force user in the EU. Spent three years conquering the Republic in order prepare the galaxy for a coming shitstorm, then got betrayed by his lackey, only to return and kill his lackey in an iconic duel inside a space station/mega-factory that made the Death Star look like a toy. Three hundred years later, he trolls the Sith strike team sent to kill him by exiting reality before they can strike him down via a technique called 'Force Fold'.Was a tactical genius, pretty much moves the plot of anything Star Wars-related with "The Old Republic" somewhere in its title.

Locations

The Star Wars movies have quite the variation (if somewhat unoriginal) of planets. These range from the awesome to the fucked-up.

• Coruscant: The capital planet of the galaxy, where all natural features have been covered up by cities and factories. Home to, in order, the Senate (your typical conniving politicians), the Imperial Palace, a Mt. Everest-sized structure resembling a hybrid of a pyramid and a Gothic cathedral, and the awe-inspiring Jedi Temple, headquarters to the Jedi Order right up until their own troops royally fucked them up. As with most city planets, the lower you go, the worse it gets.

• Tatooine: The literal ass end of nowhere in SW. A desert planet with two suns. It gets extremely hot during the day, and frigid cold at night. Most people tend to stay the hell away, except for moisture farmers, savage desert nomads called Tuskens, little midget scavengers, giant lizards, space cows, occasional Jedi hermit, and Criminals. What passes for the developed sections of the planet are run by the Space Mob.

• Mustafar: The only planet that can make Tatooine look like an ice cube. It's basically the SW version of hell on earth, with THOUSANDS of active volcanoes going off 24/7, non stop. How one can not only breathe, but fight a very tiring and brutal dual in such conditions is nothing short of either a miracle or plot armor.

• Hoth: At the total opposite end of the previous aforementioned planet, Hoth is a super-cold, super-snowy world where you can hide a base for years on end and no one would suspect a thing. Space Wolves would absolutely love it here, along with the deadly wampas, though not so much the dumb-as-rock tauntauns

• Utapau: Sinkholes. Giant fucking sinkholes, everywhere.

• Kashyyk: Chewie's home. Has entire forests of trees that are as tall as the Empire State Building.

• Bespin: A gas planet that hosts mining operations that mine, process, and ship out tibanna gas, which is used for weapons and fuel. Host to Cloud City, a massive mining city floating on the top layer.

• Dagobah: Slimy mudhole not on most maps and only accessible via obscure hyperlanes, Dagobah served as a refuge for Yoda after the purge of the Jedi.

• Endor: Home of the Ewoks. It's actually the third moon of a planet of the same name. Famous for hosting a battle where the Empire got its ass handed to it by a ragtag group of rebels, a talking fish, and spear wielding teddy bears. All because old man Palpatine wanted Luke's muscle-y throwing arms. Mmmmm.

• Geonosis: The Star Wars equivalent of Mars. Home to a group of fucking ugly bugs who are good at making weapons. First battle of the Clone Wars takes place here.

• Naboo: A planet full of wannabe politicians and idealists. Was occupied by a greedy mega-corporation, then kicked their asses out and went right back to being herp derp Lawful Stupid. The Empire later came in and clamped down hard when the Queen started to ask questions.

• Lok: Barren and desolate, Lok is similar to Tatooine but with more volcanoes and less flora and fauna; its only spaceport is a popular hub for smugglers and pirates.

• Kamino: Stormy oceanic world, its technologically advanced but isolationist inhabitants were responsible for the creation of the Clone Army.

• Alderaan: Same as Naboo, only way more into the Lawful Stupid, banning all weapons after the Clone Wars and expecting the Empire to respect its peace. Right up till the moment they were blown up by Tarkin in his ironic moment of Stupid Evil.

• Dantooine: Lush and fertile planet of grasslands and lakes. Was the site of a Rebel base until it was abandoned and subsequently destroyed by orbital bombardment. Too remote to act as an effective demonstration of the Death Star's firepower.

• Yavin: Gas giant planet with several moons, one of which hosted a Rebel base until it was discovered by Imperial forces tracking the Millennium Falcon and abandoned after being placed under bloackade. Site of the Battle of Yavin and destruction of the first Death Star.

• Dathomir: Home of the Rancor and tribes of Force-sensitive witches, this largely unexplored planet was also the site of an important Imperial prison facility for political prisoners.

• Korriban: Sith tombworld, it's features look like they were ripped straight off of Ptolemaic Egypt, giving us the impression that most Sith, are, in-fact, Tomb King/Necron players.

The rise of the original trilogy

A long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away....etc etc you all know the lines.

A man called George Lucas had the idea to create a series of epic sci-fi space operas that would become so successful that Disney would take notice and give it the franchise fluttering eye lashes, trying to seduce it.

They would be called... Flash Gordon.

Unfortunately for Georgie boy, and fortunately for modern nerddom, Dino de Laurentiis already owned Flash Gordon, and were busy making their own, hilariously eighties version, so he said, screw it, I'll make my own!

He decided to start with the fourth movie in the series he envisioned, for at the time he didn't have the special effects to create the first three to the standard he wanted, and/or he just kinda made up the first move up as he went along. So Episode Four A New Hope was created (simply titled Star Wars at the time) and it is not an exaggeration to say it changed the face of sci-fi and general moviemaking forever, bringing a new era of special effects and imagination to cinema and changing the lives of many who would go onto to become dedicated fan boys.

Originally, the studio had forced Lucas to take ever increasing paycuts for what they were sure was going to be a flop, and only let him keep merchandising rights. However, whatever his flaws, George Lucas was a man of vision. Having invented the summer blockbuster, he went on to invent the ginormous pile of movie-tie-in memorabilia. His production company, Lucasfilm ended up rolling in dosh, and with Episode Five The Empire Strikes Back and Episode Six The Return of the Jedi, the legend of Star Wars and its place in cultural history was assured.

tl;dr: Pretty much this.

The coming of the prequel trilogy

With the year 2000 coming, George Lucas felt that special effects technology had reached the level he wanted and began to create the first three movies in the star wars story he had envisioned.

The hype for the movies was immense.

And then the first movie, Episode One The Phantom Menace came out.....and there was nerd rage beyond expectation.

Part of the problem was that the immense expectations of the fandom had grown until anything less-than-perfect simply would not do, so perhaps that is somewhat to blame for the reaction to the prequel trilogy. Certainly, taken on their own merits, they aren't terrible films.

But there was nothing to cover the problems that did exist with the first movie. Jar Jar Binks has become such a figure of ire to the fandom mentioning him will incite rage and prayers to Khorne for his swift demise, and generally wooden acting from other quarters is a frequent target of attack.

Episode Two Attack of the Clones and Episode Three Revenge of the Sith followed after a few years each and fans complained they didn't match the greatness of the original trilogy, more concerned with flashy action and effects than competent story-telling.

What was generally more well received during this time for Star Wars was the Clone Wars animated series (both the traditionally-animated Clone Wars and the later seasons of the CGI show The Clone Wars), following the war between the Republic and the Confederacy that sprung up during the time between the second and third of the prequels.

Disney and the sequel trilogy

Finally, all the efforts by Disney to woo George Lucas paid off and in 2012 Disney acquired the Star Wars franchise and immediately announced they would produce a new trilogy of films set after the original trilogy.

Expectations for this new trilogy are high.....as are the private fears of the fans about what will happen and what direction Disney will take their beloved franchise in. Bringing on the creative talent behind the skubtastic Star Trek reboot was equally... well, take a wild guess.

Expanded Universe

It can be said what makes a franchise into a long term lasting thing is when a wealth of extra story and background is created that expands on the original story far beyond what there was. It could be argued Star Wars leads the race in this, as the sheer amount of extra novels, graphic novels and games based on Star Wars can and does overwhelm the ordinary fan.

The background has expanded right into the distance past before the founding of the current Jedi and Sith orders and into the far future looking at the descendants of Luke Skywalker and other popular characters. Uniquely, especially considering other franchises' track records, the Star Wars Expanded Universe is remarkably internally consistent, both with other sources within the universe and with the films themselves. Sure, every once in a while the odd problem child such as a certain Kinect slips through, but on the whole, as a completely unregulated enterprise, it holds up well.

Disney recently said fuck it and threw out everything but the films and the 3d Clone Wars cartoon. (Hilariously there are still some scrub fanatical Star Wankers out there still believing that Disney will still put some form of EU story or character in the new movie despite multiple source and interviews saying as plain as day they will not use the EU as a base for the coming trilogy.)

Impact on 1d4chan and associated games etc

Star Wars has had subtle and clear impacts on a number of other franchises and genres and it can be incredibly hard to gauge the extent of it all. Certainly it didn't create the concepts of sci-fi, space battles, sweeping storylines, and a blending of mystical and scientific ideas, but it certainly popularized them during the years of the original trilogy and influenced many people that would go on to have interests in sci-fi, fantasy and epic adventure today.

Hell, look me in the eye and tell me that the lightsaber didn't give us the power weapon.

Tabletop games for Star Wars

Role-playing games

West End Games made a Star Wars role-playing game called Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game. Wizards of the Coast picked up the license later and made an RPG based on their d20 System, called Star Wars D20 (imaginatively).

Fantasy Flight Games is presently selling Star Wars: Edge of the Empire and is publicly beta-testing Star Wars: Age of Rebellion.

Card Games

The big card game set in the Star Wars universe is the Star Wars Customizable Card Game. It's no longer produced by Decipher, but there is still a sufficiently large player community to organize annual tournaments, rule on cards, and so on.

Wizards of the Coast made the Star Wars Trading Card Game.

Fantasy Flight Games is presently selling Star Wars: The Card Game.

Obviously, nobody is capable of creating a Star Wars card game with an interesting name.

Miniature Games

Fantasy Flight Games is producing the X-Wing miniatures game based on starfighter combat (because, let's be honest, that's what Star Wars is all about).