Being that this game hasn't been reviewed since 2007, but is still active (as in 'people are still connecting, and trying to RP'), I figured I'd add in my two cents. This game's biggest issue is the playerbase size. There are a handful of folks trying to get things going, but it's more like a group of friends having drinks at the pub on the weekend, than the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) behemoth it used to be. For those who've never checked the place out, I submit the following:

The game runs on West End Games' D6 system, but only as an accompaniment to straight-up RP. Scenes can be run via the traditional 'I shot you!' 'No you didn't, I dodged, and shot back!' 'Ow, yeah, that hurt' back-and-forth, or with the assistance of the game's dice simulation system. There's an entire universe of races to choose from (although some fan favorites, such as the Hutts, Ewoks, and Jawas, are restricted (but not totally off-limits) for various reasons).

The RP potential is near-limitless, including opportunities like (but not limited to) being a soldier or pilot for the Republic Military, or serving aboard a Star Destroyer in the Imperial Military. If you're not keen on carving out a niche in the Republic or Imperial Militaries, the Corporate Sector Authority is also open (the best of both worlds, business AND politics) to those seeking that line of work. If nothing else, you're welcome to live life on your own terms, as an Independent, as I chose to do. I run cargo for a living. I also consort with pirates (mwahaha!).

The game places a distinction on Organization vs Faction (or, as it's commonly known, Affiliation). Affiliation is pretty much the way your character leans in the grand scheme of things.. does he play ball mostly for the Republic, the Empire, or is he more concerned about himself? Organization deals with what you do with your life on a daily basis (CSA, Independent, Imperial Military, or Republic Military). I chose to start out as an Independent/Unaffiliated, since I figured I wouldn't need anyone except myself and my ship. Boy, was I wrong.. I quickly found myself shacking up with the Republic, did some work for them, and decided to change my Faction, becoming an Independent/New Republic player. It opened up a whole new world of activity for me, and I haven't looked back since.

I admit, I was rather shocked at how much of the game is restricted... next to nothing. Just a few races that don't quite fit into the game's timeline just yet (or at all), or can be played if you sit down with the admin and give them an idea of what you want to do with the race. There's also that whole 'Force Users are restricted' thing. Yeah, I know, Jedi and Sith are restricted, which you've probably heard before. The admin aren't keen on giving low-yield thermonuclear warheads to untested folks off the street. Give it a few months, hang out, and toss your name in the hat when the time comes.

Speaking of the admin, they do exist, and they do listen when folks grumble about this or that being broken, but just like regular people they have lives, and their plates are fairly full, so I would suggest giving them some time to respond before you go off on them.

Good luck, and may the Force be with you.

SW1 is one of those MUSHes that has alot of potential, but due to staffing issues and lack of movement, tends to hit and miss. Alot of the players are very friendly, but the staff is spotty. I'm not a scorned player, but writing an honest review, there's only so much positive I can relay.

For example, the factions rely heavily upon each other to coexist. You have the Imperials, New Republic(NR), and a few others that are mostly entirely devoid of movement. The war can't happen unless the Imps fight the NR. Unfortunately the NR ground forces (currently) are virtually lifeless and the fleet/starfighter sources are hemorrhaging players to more independent roleplay areas. This is due to the fact that there simply aren't players and staff members to be there for scenes and plots to be had. While it's understood that the staff aren't on everyone's beck and call...there's been very little done lately to keep the roleplay ball up and rolling. Head staffers claim busy schedules (whilst also staffing ElseMU) and the force system is very broken.

Honestly, this is not a game to join with a desire to ever roleplay as a force user. There are Dark and Light side force (application only) spots available. Literally years pass between postings for applications. There's a policy that states that force users have to regularly roleplay, send logs to the admin, and participate in furthering the game. Most force users in the game haven't logged in months, log in only to stay at one spot, or involve themselves solely with the force users in roleplay (should more than one be on at a time). However, it's been explained to me that some of these force users are friends of the admin. Asking one admin might illicit a 'this is how it is response' and asking another might result in either no answer or some rude responses.

So if you DO join this game, I'd take a look at the Imperial faction (who regularly schedules events) or some of the more independent groups such as the crime families. There's very little admin involvement in TP unless it's military (even then, if soldier characters are available), but fun can be had where found or made.

My suggestion? This game needs to replace their idle or ElseMUing staffers with people that will commit to the game. The force system needs to stick to its policy and @nuke the characters that are growing dust on the force slots, and the players need to consolidate and generate larger/more involved TP's that they can manage for themselves.

Noticing that the actual listing for SW1 is far outdated, I thought I would add this for information's sake.

Star Wars MUSH (SW1) is the original Star Wars MU*, dating back to 1991. It diverged from canon a few years after the events of Return of the Jedi, at which point the players took over. Now several years into the age of the New Republic, the MUSH offers players the opportunity to play either as a supporter of the Republic or the Empire, or for the free spirited or indecisive types, as neither. Additionally, players can join one of two entirely original factions, or the Corporate Sector Authority, Lucas-borne descendant of the Trade Federation.

Star Wars MUSH isn't all about the wars, either. Swoop racing is a major feature of the game, as are gambling and politics. Players are encouraged to create an original character type, as there is staff support for nearly every niche imaginable. As of this writing, the game is running PennMUSH 1.8.0p4 and averages between 25 and 50 player connections at a time!