The free character transfer service that kicked off on Jan. 13 was supposed to end on March 31, but has now been extended three months to June 30. So if you have a character that was created on or before Dec. 11, 2008, and you're looking for a new home, check out the list of available "transferred from" and destination galaxies to see if you're eligible. The page also contains the answers to some frequently asked questions.

If you're still looking for more information, there's a step-by-step quide to transferring your character, which can be found here. Here's one word of warning: "To prevent issues with a transfer, please close the game immediately after completing the transfer process and do not log into ANY character on that account for at least TWO HOURS after transferring."

Dotanuki has written a lengthy producer's note discussing the changes you can expect to see in game updates 9 and 10. If you like decorating structures or are a fan of PvP, then this letter's for you.

Update 9 is currently on the test server, so you can try it out now before it goes live. Dotanuki addressed players' comments that they would like a simplified means of packing/unpacking/positioning items in their structures. The team is currently attempting to allow you to be able to retain the positioning of your decor (as close as possible, at least) when you move from house to house. They're also introducing a "find item" tool to the structure terminal so you can see a list of the contents of your structure. In addition, Update 9 will have expanded palettes for select clothing, improved food buffs, and changes to some of the lesser used starship chassis.

Update 10, on the other hand, will focus on PvP. Expect to see more battlefields added to the game, which will now be timed with the number of participants limited. You'll also be able to queue for them from anywhere in the galaxy as you fight for two new armor sets and a bunch of new weapons.

Today's Friday Feature on the Star Wars Galaxies Web site is full of information on the ship changes coming in Game Update 9. All of these changes can already be seen on the test servers if you're interested in checking them out before the update goes live.

The post outlines the changes in 10 ships, including Y-Wings, B-Wings and Tie Fighters. The entry outlines the changes to the top speed modifier, acceleration, deceleration, yaw, pitch and roll for each ship. If intricate ship details interest you, this post is worth a read.

For even more details on all of the ships, check out this previous Friday Feature entry.

Toymaker Dr. Fool appears to have lost control of his creations today in Star Wars Galaxies! Citizens near the laboratories on Tatooine, Naboo, Lok, Corellia, and Endor should be careful when approaching these renegade toys.

The power of the creations should run out in 24 hours, so you really only need to worry about them throughout April 1. Attempt to disable them at your own risk!

The Star Wars Galaxies team has posted another edition of the Ask Loche series, which is where fans ask questions and Lead Designer Jesse "Loche" Benjamin takes time to answer them. This edition focuses on profession updates, no-trade items and gardening.

One player asked if medics would be getting any attention in future updates. Loche said professions will always be addressed, but they will no longer be doing updates for only one profession. In response to another player's claim that no-trade items are unpopular, Loche said the mechanic isn't going away. "We have a system going in to allow you to consume your once per account item and re-claim it on another character," he said.

Loche also said gardener expertise is not being considered, but they're not against adding plants and flower schematics. You can read Loche's full answers below.

Lead Designer Jesse "Loche" Benjamin recently answered a couple questions submitted by players as part of the Ask Loche segment, and they focus on color and texture palettes for clothing and new houses.

According to Benjamin, the team is extending color palettes for some clothing assets in update 9, but not all of them. Also, update 9 will also include eight new customizable houses, and structure traders will be able to sell paint kits. You can read the full Q&A after the jump.

On a similar note, today's Friday Feature focuses on windowed structures in update 9. Check it out for screenshots of some of the new houses.

The Star Wars Galaxies team recently published a new list of Astromech Stats to give us a glimpse into players' preferences. While none of these percentages directly affect gameplay, they do shed some interesting light on various aspects of the game.

For example, it appears that the Starsider server was the most popular by far as a destination during the free character transfer service. More than 25 percent of players chose Starsider as their new home. Also, more than 30,000 structures were packed in the first hour house packing became available.

For more Astromech Stats, keep reading here. It looks like the Rebels and Imperials are neck and neck in popularity, so the balance of power could shift at any time.

Galactic Hunters, the second expansion for the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, has launched, opening the doors for the wretched hive of scum and villainy to pour out into the universe. The set adds 180 new cards and 10 new bounty hunter-themed scenarios to the mix. And your favorite bounty hunters, such as Boba Fett, IG-88, Bossk, Zuckuss and 4-LOM, now make appearances in the TCG.

SOE is holding release events all weekend with six sealed deck tournaments. There's two scheduled for today at 11 a.m. PST and 5 p.m. PST, and there's ones at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For 20 event passes, you get a Galactic Hunters sealed deck, four booster packs and a Bib Fortuna promo card. The grand prize is 10 booster packs.

More information on the expansion can be found here. Details on the weekend tournaments can be found here or below.

Star Wars Galaxies is undergoing some changes today, in the form of Game Update 8. Included in the patch is an increase to the group XP bonus, as well as new rules on structures owned by inactive characters in player-made cities.

More details on the patch can be found on SWG's official website.

If you've been looking to add more in-game items to your Star Wars Galaxies inventory, then Galactic Hunters, the newest expansion for the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, is right up your alley. The set contains numerous loot cards for you to collect, and the SWG team recently outlined some of them to give you a taste of what will be added to the virtual world.

If you've always wanted your own Watto from The Phantom Menace to reside in your structure, now's your chance. The new Toydarian Greeter will add some attitude to any home and has a customizable appearance. A Target Dummy has also been added for players who would like to hone their combat skills.

Life-size statues of Boba Fett and Jango Fett are also obtainable, as are Sith and Jedi meditiation temples. More information on all of these items can be found here.