A hotfix was implemented today on Star Wars Galaxies servers that enables double Chronicles XP and tokens, as well as adds a bazaar to the Dathomir quarantine zone. The patch also fixes a handful of bugs related the to Death Troopers update.

You can read the full patch notes for hotfix 14.5 after the jump and discuss the game in our Star Wars Galaxies forum.

For most places here in the States Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday at 2:00 a.m.  Remember to set your clocks back!  For those of you not using Daylight Savings Time, this means that most U.S. game companies will be operating one hour LATER than they do in the summer. 

Here's a handy Time Zone Converter to help you plan for downtime and such.

Official SOE Podcast #73 is live!  This is Trick or Cast; hear all about Hubert and Emily's trick or treating adventures in the  latest Podramedy. There is an update on the Halloween Happenings in EQOA, PlanetSide and Vanguard, and a very special guest during the round table segment!

Want some SOE swag in your trick or treat bag?  Send in some listener e-mail! 

You can download the podcast from the Podcast Website and iTunes (search for SOE and click "subscribe").

All SOE game servers, including all TCG and MMO servers, will experience downtime tomorrow as they are taken offline for hardware maintenance.  This downtime is scheduled to start at 3am PDT and will last approximately 4 hours.

According to Jason "Pex" Ryan, this is to "Replace VTT modules (voltage regulators) on Core Koll switches 2, 3 and 4" in our network operations center".

See the official notice on the EQII forums and other SOE game forums.

Updated Quests: Galactic Moon Festival - Trick or Treat ;  Galactic Moon Festival - Badge

Updated Mobs: Z'ozpheratu (Galatic Moon Festival Organizer) ;  Costume Festival Celebrant

Updated Guides: Galactic Moon Festival - Items

The Death Troopers update is now live in Star Wars Galaxies, so keep an eye out for zombies on Dathomir. According to the release notes, "while rumors have circulated that restricted areas are being used to contain a biological threat, no official report has been confirmed or denied by High Command." I think it's safe to say the threat is very real, so make sure you complete the "Something is Obviously Wrong" quests from Update 13 to gain access the Death Troopers quest line. You can read the full patch notes after the jump.

While you're at it, interested players may want to pick up the new "Death Troopers" novel by Joe Schreiber. It was just released yesteray, so check it out for more details on the horrific tale.

Also, the Galactic Buddy Initiative ends tomorrow at 11:59 p.m. PDT, so invite your friends to play Star Wars Galaxies as soon as possible to earn various rewards, including an exclusive Light-Bending Podracer. A biological disaster is the best time to invite your friends into the game, right?

The Official SOE Spook-Cast (also known as Podcast #72) is live!  Enjoy the interview with Tiffany Chu, Game Designer for Free Realms.  Check out the Halloween events in your favorite SOE games, and inside SOE is also all about Halloween as they ask developers Halloween questions.  Plus they need your help to solve the Candy Corn Mystery!

You can get the podcast at the Podcast’s official site or on iTunes (search for SOE and click "subscribe").