iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 23/12/2025

Skies started appearing in magazines prior to Ultima Online's launch and was listed alongside EverQuest and Asheron's Call in PC Gamer's 1998 Hot 100 list of upcoming games.

Skies preview PC Gamer US Magazine July 1998

Skies preview Next Generation Magazine November 1997

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 23/12/2025

Skies (SegaSoft) seems to have been more of a lobby-style MMO, with 4-player group quests. This sounds similar to the system used in Phantasy Star Online (Sonic Team), which entered into production around the time Skies' development wound down.

A screenshot from the cancelled online RPG Skies. A character with large wings stands in a temple environment.

A screenshot from the cancelled online RPG Skies. A character with fairy wings floats in a temple environment.

A screenshot from the cancelled online RPG Skies. A character with fairy wings flies towards a floating island.

A screenshot from the cancelled online RPG Skies. A character with fairy wings floats in a dark temple. In the centre is a small pool of water.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 22/07/2025

In light of the Hellraiser reception, can someone please give Gun Interactive permission to repurpose their tone-perfect Texas Chain Saw Massacre assets into a singleplayer title now?

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 22/07/2025

Snapshots of a different time. A website called 'Jedi Business', which specialised in the sale of Jedi characters in Star Wars Galaxies. Looks like they had pivoted hard into selling credits by the end of 2005 😬

A post from the rec.games.computer.ultima.online Usenet newsgroup.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 26/04/2025

So I guess we're doing this now.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 25/04/2025

Reading through some GDC lectures from 1998 (thanks @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social). Here's a good passage about multiplayer games from Jonathan Baron (Designer on the Air Warrior series and Ultima Online: Renaissance). Interesting to reflect on this in a post-EQ, WoW, Fortnite world.

Passage from 'You Can Go Home Again: The Underlying Lure of Multiplayer Online Games that Few Game Developers Understand' by Jonathon Baron.
The lecture took place at the Computer Game Developers' Conference 1998.
Source: https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/6e7a5d97-b4ef-4c30-9f9c-4ecf7f71ad2b

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 17/04/2025

There was an impromptu mini-event last night when the teaser dropped. Quite a crowd dropped in to challenge the horde of Sith that rocked up outside Mos Eisley. I'm not sure if there will be more of these in the next few weeks leading up to the JTP release.

A screenshot of players fighting Sith NPCs at an event on Tatooine in Star Wars Galaxies Legends.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 07/02/2025

Did you know there's a whole (totally unofficial) book about the beloved MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies? Well, there is. I wrote it. It's called The MMO Folklorist's Guide to Galaxies. And you can read it for free by heading to: mmofolklorist.itch.io/galaxiestheb...

The book cover of The MMO Folklorist's Guide to Galaxies, written by James Crosby.

A double page spread from the book The MMO Folklorist's Guide to Galaxies. It features images and text about the 2003 launch of the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies.

A double page spread from the book The MMO Folklorist's Guide to Galaxies. It features images and text about the playable species in the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 05/02/2025

Felt like it was time to delve into an MMO I've never played before. So here's my lizard dude in Elder Scrolls Online - on Xbox Series X nonetheless. Oh, and just to expose my casual status further, it's also the first time I've played an Elder Scrolls game past the first, like, hour😬

A screenshot of a low level Argonian player character wearing heavy armour standing in front of the sun. The game is Elder Scrolls Online for the Xbox Series X.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 25/12/2024

Kindred spirits! I always keep mine on until the bitter end. No games (already have enough with subscription services), but a lovely stack of books. How about you?

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 11/11/2024

Folks from across the galaxy donned black and orange for last night's Galactic Moon Festival 2024 finale event on the Star Wars Galaxies Legends rogue server. Life Day beckons! ❄️

Players gather at the Haunted House on Kashyyyk to celebrate the end of the Galactic Moon Festival holiday event on the Star Wars Galaxies Legends Rogue Server.

Players dance with the NPC Z'ospheratu outside the Haunted House on Kashyyyk to celebrate the end of the Galactic Moon Festival holiday event on the Star Wars Galaxies Legends Rogue Server.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 30/10/2024

I wouldn’t tell anyone I won the lottery but there will be hints.

Crypt Of The Lost Pumpkin Souls miniature from the Lemax Spooky Town miniature village collection.

Apparition Academy miniature from the Lemax Spooky Town miniature village collection.

Witches Bungalow miniature from the Lemax Spooky Town miniature village collection.

Haunted Estates miniature from the Lemax Spooky Town miniature village collection.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 25/10/2024

What I played this week: Death Stranding DC What I watched this week: Threads Absolutely apocalypse pilled.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 25/10/2024

Done with the day job for the next 9 days. If you need me, I'll be here.

Patrons standing in the Mos Eisley Cantina from the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 19/10/2024

My extremely basic-ass top 10 favourite games of all time. They're not necessarily the games I'd consider the best, but they all hold specific memories or are just plain joyful.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 17/10/2024

Going to be posting here a lot more going forward. Also, new posts coming to the MMO Folklorist site next week, along with updates to the MMO/SWG Rogue Server lists. In the meantime, here are some old promo images from Star Wars Galaxies' Halloween event, the Galactic Moon Festival.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 04/05/2024

It's May the 4th! A perfect day to read about (possibly) the best Star Wars game ever made a.co/d/3F3T1yT

A page spread from the book The MMO Folklorist's Guide to Galaxies. One page features a description of the game's player species, while another has full-colour images of them.

A page spread from the book The MMO Folklorist's Guide to Galaxies. The pages describe the launch of the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies with images of the game's box art, and items from the Collector's Edition of the game.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 16/03/2024

This is my favourite stat on the EverQuest 25th anniversary infographic. I need to know who's behind these 84 characters and learn everything about the last quarter century of their lives.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 19/12/2023

New Encyclopedia Eorzea is here. Just in time to brush up on all that Final Fantasy XIV lore before Dawntrail hits.

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