Star Wars: Empire at War

Star Wars: Empire at War, (sometimes abbreviated to simply EaW), is a real-time strategy (RTS) game that takes place in the Star Wars universe. Promising to end the perceived mediocrity of past Star Wars RTS games (like Star Wars: Force Commander and Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds), Empire at War started from the ground up.

The game was developed by Petroglyph, comprising many former members of Westwood Studios (known for the Command & Conquer series). This company has developed a completely new engine specifically for EaW known as Alamo. It uses several higher-end shader effects such as soft shadows, specular lighting, and particle effects for dust clouds and explosions.

The game spawned an impressive mod community, and was followed-up by an expansion pack, Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption, taking place between the aftermath of the Battle of Yavin and the Battle of Endor.

Gameplay
The game features a brand new style of play to make things a bit more realistic. Instead of building workers, gathering resources, and recruiting individual units, players are granted resources based on how many planets the player controls. Controlling worlds increases a player's cash flow and provide unique bonuses depending on the planet (ex. Armor increases, discounted prices, special unit production.)

Battles are carried out both on a planet's surface and in orbit. Whoever controls the planet's surface, controls the planet itself. There are different factors to keep in mind depending on your status as an attacker or defender. Attackers must secure Landing Points to increase the number of units they deploy, while Defenders may deploy up to 10 "units" on a planet immediately. Attackers have their advantages, though. They may call in bombing runs if they have Bombers in orbit. Likewise, ground-based installations (like the Ion cannon and Hypervelocity gun) can fire upon units in orbit during space tactical battles. Unlike in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, shields will form an actual physical barrier that must be penetrated and protect bases from artillery and bombing runs. Assorted building pads litter the playing field in both space and land battles. These pads allow the player to build useful structures (e.g., turrets which can easily destroy enemy units.)

EaW takes place during the time between Episode III and Episode IV, concluding with the construction and possible destruction of the Death Star. Empire at War features three factions, although only two are playable. These factions are the Rebel Alliance, the Galactic Empire, and the Black Sun (playable with XML modding, see below.) Units in this game are a mix of Clone Wars-era and New Order-era. The Empire's advantages include powerful ships and swarms of TIE Fighters, while the Rebels, on the other hand, must rely on swifter ships and Raid Fleets (Small ground troop fleets that can bypass space defenses.) Like many RTS games, Empire at War features a "Rock-Paper-Scissors" unit usage style&mdash;for every unit there is a counter-unit. Brett Tosti, the LucasArts producer, has stated that this encourages players to create diverse armies and fleets with units that counter other units, as opposed to building a bunch of "super units".

Players are also able to call on reinforcements during battle, including heroes like Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Players can also construct planet-borne ion cannons, factories, and space stations. Over forty locales are featured including Yavin 4, Tatooine, Dagobah, and others from the movies and Expanded Universe.

The destruction of Alderaan cannot be prevented regardless of the player's actions.

Appearances
{{App
 * locations=

Planets

 * Abregado-rae
 * Aeten II
 * Alderaan
 * Alzoc III
 * Anaxes
 * Atzerri
 * Bespin
 * Bestine
 * Bonadan
 * Bothawui
 * Byss
 * Carida
 * Corellia
 * Corulag
 * Coruscant
 * Dagobah
 * Dantooine
 * Endor and its Forest Moon
 * Eriadu
 * Fondor
 * Fresia
 * Geonosis
 * Hoth
 * Ilum
 * Jabiim
 * Kashyyyk
 * Kessel
 * Korriban
 * Kuat
 * Manaan
 * Mon Calamari
 * Naboo
 * Nal Hutta
 * Polus
 * Ryloth
 * Shola
 * Sullust
 * Taris
 * Tatooine
 * Thyferra
 * Vergesso Asteroids
 * Wayland
 * Yavin 4

Other locations

 * Ahto City
 * Anaxes Citadel
 * Bajic sector
 * Lybeya system
 * Crystal Caves
 * Curamelle
 * Corulag Academy
 * Eriadu City
 * Graveyard of Alderaan
 * Kuat Drive Yards
 * Mount Tantiss
 * Perlemian Trade Route
 * Bormea sector
 * Spice Mines of Kessel
 * Theed
 * Trader's Plaza
 * Valley of the Dark Lords
 * Varl
 * creatures=
 * Bantha
 * Bogwing
 * Desert Sketto
 * Dianoga
 * Dragonsnake
 * Energy spider
 * Gorax
 * Mynock
 * Rancor
 * Sarlacc
 * Snow slug
 * Swamp slug
 * Tauntaun
 * Wampa
 * Womp rat
 * species=
 * Bothan
 * Dantari
 * Evocii
 * Ewok
 * Fondorian
 * Geonosian
 * Gungan
 * Human
 * Hutt
 * Jawa
 * Massassi
 * Mon Calamari
 * Myneyrsh
 * Quarren
 * Psadan
 * Pyn'gani
 * Selkath
 * Sullustan
 * Talz
 * Tusken Raider
 * Twi'lek
 * Vratix
 * Weequay
 * Wookiee
 * characters=

Imperial

 * Emperor Palpatine
 * Darth Vader (and Black Squadron)
 * Grand Moff Tarkin (by hologram only)
 * Boba Fett (and Slave I)
 * Colonel Veers (Blizzard 1 only)
 * Captain Piett (Accuser only)
 * Mara Jade

Rebel

 * Mon Mothma (by hologram only)
 * Captain Raymus Antilles (''Sundered Heart only)
 * R2-D2 & C-3PO
 * Ackbar (Home One only)
 * Han Solo & Chewbacca (and Millennium Falcon)
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Red Squadron
 * Wedge Antilles
 * Luke Skywalker
 * Biggs Darklighter
 * Jek Tono Porkins
 * Kyle Katarn
 * Princess Leia (Tantive IV only)

Other characters

 * Moff Kalast (Avenger only)
 * Naga Sadow
 * Unidentified pirate leader
 * Unidentified Imperial commander


 * vehicles=

Imperial

 * Stormtrooper Platoon
 * Speeder Bike (Scout trooper)
 * TIE Mauler
 * All Terrain Scout Transport
 * 2-M Saber-class repulsor tank
 * All Terrain Armored Transport
 * SPMA-T (Self-Propelled Medium Artillery)
 * All Terrain Anti-Aircraft
 * Emperor's Royal Guard

Rebel

 * Rebel troopers
 * Alliance Special Forces
 * Infantry Company
 * Plex Missile trooper Company
 * Infiltrator
 * T2-B repulsor tank
 * T4-B heavy tank
 * MPTL-2A Artillery
 * T-47 airspeeder
 * Longvision LV-38 spotter/probe droid

Other

 * Bounty hunter
 * Bantha-II cargo skiff
 * Field Commander
 * Fleet Commander
 * Sandcrawler
 * Smuggler
 * Swoop bike
 * Pod Walker
 * Swamp Speeder
 * X-34 landspeeder

Imperial

 * Acclamator I-class assault ship
 * Aggressor
 * ''Arrestor
 * Bel’reen
 * Candaserri
 * Danticore
 * Defiant
 * Doneeta
 * Drakmha
 * Eliminator
 * Enforcer One
 * Fire's Path
 * Galactic Guardian
 * Grey Shadow
 * Harilin
 * Implacable
 * Majestic
 * Marauder
 * Odeaon
 * Triumph
 * Acclamator II-class assault ship
 * Broadside-class cruiser
 * Acheron
 * Agincourt
 * Almirante
 * Caledonia
 * ''Centurion
 * Dexterous
 * Diomede
 * Imperieuse
 * Mercator
 * Observateur
 * Renown
 * Royal Sovereign
 * Scipion
 * Scourge
 * Spartiate
 * Stormont
 * Death Star
 * Immobilizer 418 cruiser
 * Aggregator
 * Binder
 * Black Asp
 * Claw
 * Compellor
 * Constrainer
 * Detainer
 * Dominator
 * Fireclaw
 * Grappler
 * Harpax
 * Immobilizer
 * ''Imperator
 * Rampart
 * Restrainer
 * Red Claw
 * Requital
 * Sentinel
 * Stellar Web
 * Imperial I-class Star Destroyer
 * Allecto
 * Basilisk
 * Chimaera
 * Conquest
 * Death's Head
 * Devastator
 * Implacable
 * Judicator
 * Mathayus
 * Relentless
 * Stalker
 * Thunderflare
 * Tyrannic
 * Tyrant
 * Valorous
 * Vehement
 * Vengeance
 * Visage
 * Imperial II-class Star Destroyer
 * Accuser
 * Avenger
 * Firespray-31-class patrol and attack craft
 * Slave I
 * Tartan-class patrol crusier
 * Agility
 * Aspirant
 * Attentive
 * Battler
 * Encounter
 * Executioner
 * Fantome
 * Formidable
 * Impeccable
 * Inveterate
 * Invincible
 * Retribution
 * Skirmisher
 * Turmoil
 * Vindictive
 * TIE Advanced x1
 * TIE/ln starfighter
 * TIE/sa bomber
 * TIE Scout
 * Victory-class Star Destroyer
 * Bombard
 * Corrupter
 * Crusader
 * Dominator
 * Gallant
 * Gauntlet
 * Harridan
 * Hunter
 * Iron Fist
 * Pestage
 * Protector
 * Rampant
 * Red Harvest
 * Stalwart
 * Strikefast
 * Subjugator
 * Tempest
 * Wachtor
 * Warlord
 * Lambda-class T-4a shuttle
 * ST 321
 * Emperor Palpatine's shuttle
 * Sentinel-class landing craft
 * Theta-class AT-AT barge

Rebel

 * Assault Frigate Mark II
 * Abolisher
 * Aelena
 * Criterios
 * Daynora
 * Echelon One
 * Echelon Two
 * Gallant Haven
 * Illian
 * Ina'angs Star
 * Neladeen
 * Paragon
 * Pe'aty
 * Shayan
 * Storm Wind
 * ''Theed's Reach
 * Thunderflame
 * Titanius
 * Vindicator
 * BTL Y-wing starfighter
 * Corellian Corvette
 * Arrow
 * Burke
 * Coffey
 * Dodonna's Pride
 * Frazier
 * Freedom's Messenger
 * Mahan
 * Manx
 * Masanya
 * Master
 * Nimble
 * Rancor's Tooth
 * Raze
 * Razor
 * Sonnel
 * Stellar Damsel
 * Sundered Heart
 * Swift
 * Tantive IV
 * DP20 gunship
 * Active
 * Adventure
 * Bruizer
 * Diligence
 * Incomparable
 * Kingsmill
 * Mediator
 * Orion
 * Pervail
 * Strathadam
 * Thracian
 * Thrasher
 * Victorious
 * Vindicta
 * Warspite
 * Watchful
 * MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser
 * Home One
 * Nebulon-B frigate
 * Akaga
 * Angelus
 * ''Antares Six
 * ''Chancellor
 * Free Lance
 * Fugazi
 * Kalla's Stanchion
 * Kuma
 * Liberator
 * Lightning
 * Lion
 * Mercy
 * Peacemaker
 * Persistence
 * Provocateur
 * Rebel Star
 * Redemption
 * Tedevium
 * Tharen
 * Yavaris
 * Marauder-class corvette
 * Aeolus
 * Agamemnon
 * Albion
 * Bellerophon
 * Bonaventure
 * Cadmus
 * Canopus
 * ''Devaron
 * ''Indefatigable
 * Maidstone
 * Speedwell
 * Swiftsure
 * ''Tribune
 * ''Triton
 * Undaunted
 * Venerable
 * Venturer
 * YT-1300 light freighter
 * Millennium Falcon
 * MC80 Liberty type Star Cruiser
 * Alliance
 * Ardent
 * Autonomy
 * Cathleen
 * Crucible
 * Endeavor
 * Equity
 * Falcariae
 * Liberty
 * Lulsla
 * Maria
 * Maximus
 * Ossus Day
 * Reef Home
 * Renhoek
 * Tano
 * Valorous
 * Yali
 * RZ-1 A-wing interceptor
 * T-65 X-wing starfighter
 * Z-95 Headhunter
 * RM-09 Alliance shuttle
 * GR-75 medium transport

Other

 * IPV/1 System Patrol Craft
 * Pirate interceptor cruiser
 * Rihkxyrk Assault Fighter
 * Venator-class Star Destroyer


 * technology=

Imperial

 * Imperial Command Center
 * Imperial Barracks
 * Imperial Light Vehicle Factory
 * Imperial Heavy Vehicle Factory
 * Imperial Advanced Factory
 * Imperial Officer Academy
 * Hypervelocity gun
 * Magnapulse cannon
 * Imperial Space Station
 * Research Facility
 * Anti-Infantry Turret
 * Anti-Vehicle Turret
 * Anti-Air Turret

Rebel

 * Alliance Barracks
 * Alliance Light Vehicle Factory
 * Alliance Heavy Vehicle Factory
 * Alliance Officer Academy
 * Infiltrator Training Facility
 * Alliance Command Center
 * Ion cannon
 * Alliance Space Station
 * Anti-Infantry Turret
 * Anti-Vehicle Turret
 * Anti-Air Turret

Other

 * Abandoned Sensor Array
 * Cantina
 * Mining Facility
 * Shield Generator
 * Hutt Palace
 * Communications array
 * Power Generator
 * Turbolaser Turret
 * Abandoned Turbolaser Turret
 * Vehicle Repair Station
 * Sensor Node
 * Bacta Healing Station
 * Abandoned Heavy Factory
 * Resource Pad
 * Asteroid Mining Facility
 * Laser Defense Satellite
 * Missile Defense Satellite
 * Orbital Long Range Scanner
 * Merchant space dock
 * Mercenary outfitter
 * Black Sun pirate asteroid base


 * organizations=
 * Rebel Alliance
 * Aratech Repulsor Company
 * Aratech Mercantile
 * Galactic Empire
 * Galactic Senate
 * Imperial Army
 * Imperial Navy
 * Jedi Order
 * Jedi Master
 * Sith Order
 * Dark Lord of the Sith
 * SoroSuub Corporation
 * Tenloss Criminal Syndicate


 * events=
 * Jedi Civil War
 * Destruction of Taris
 * Clone Wars
 * Galactic Civil War
 * First Battle of Kashyyyk
 * First Battle of Ryloth
 * Fresian Campaign
 * Space Battle at Kuat
 * Battle on Wayland
 * Battle of Fresia
 * Space Battle in the Kessel Asteroid Field
 * Assault on Thyferra
 * Fondor Uprising
 * Ilum Space Battle
 * Subjugation of Geonosis
 * Prison Break on Kashyyyk
 * First Battle of Carida
 * First Battle of Jabiim
 * First Battle of Atzerri
 * Arrest over Atzerri
 * Capture of Kalast
 * Raid above Corellia
 * Mission to Bothawui
 * First Battle of Tatooine
 * Destruction of Alderaan
 * Rescue on Death Star I
 * Battle of Yavin

}}
 * miscellanea=
 * Bamboo
 * Blba tree
 * Glitterstim spice
 * Gnarltree
 * Kolto
 * Life zone
 * Adegan crystal
 * Stygium
 * Tibanna
 * Wroshyr tree

Hidden Items
The following are units and planets that were removed for the final version and are hidden or mentioned in the internal game files. Some have been unlocked via XML and MEG editing. A few of these planets (such as Kamino) & units (such as Luke Skywalker) were included in the expansion pack.

Planets

 * Aridus
 * Bakura
 * Balmorra
 * Brentaal IV
 * Duro
 * Gamorr
 * Hapes
 * Kamino
 * Lwhekk
 * Ralltiir
 * Rakata
 * Rhinnal
 * Rothana
 * Trandosha
 * Tynna

Heroes

 * Xizor (Virago and land unit)
 * Tani Ab'yla (land unit)
 * Jan Dodonna
 * Carlist Rieekan
 * Tanbris (in TIE Advanced x2)
 * Antinnis Tremayne (in Singularity)
 * Raymus Antilles (land unit)
 * Leia Organa Solo (land unit)

Land Units

 * Tani Ab'yla - Unlocked
 * Imperial Navy Troopers - Unlocked
 * Killer Penguin - Unlocked
 * Luke Skywalker (ground)
 * Raymus Antilles (ground)
 * Princess Leia - Hidden
 * Prince Xizor - Unlocked

Space Units

 * Barloz-class freighter - Unlocked
 * Shadowclaw - Unlocked
 * Virago - Unlocked
 * Moldy Crow - Unlocked
 * Venator-class Cruiser - Unlocked
 * V-wing Fighter - Unlocked

Rebel

 * First Battle of Kashyyyk (A tutorial mission.)
 * Shipyard Diversion
 * Interpreting the Network
 * Theft of the X-Wing
 * Kessel Rescue
 * Imperial Liberation
 * Highest Bidder
 * Rescue the Millennium Falcon
 * Needle in a Haystack
 * Borrowed Time
 * Handle with Care!
 * The Defense of Mon Calamari
 * The Final Battle (The Battle of Yavin)

Imperial

 * Battle of Ryloth (A tutorial mission.)
 * Taking Thyferra
 * Crush. Kill. Destroy.
 * The Pirate Menace
 * Subjugating Geonosis
 * Attack on Mon Calamari
 * Trouble on Kashyyyk
 * A New Weapon of War
 * The Rebel Fortress
 * The Traitorous Moff
 * An Engagement with the Emperor
 * Capturing a Princess
 * The Destruction of Alderaan
 * End of the Rebellion (A speculative scenario in which the Empire manages to destroy the Rebellion.)

Endings
There are two different endings to Empire at War's campaign mode depending on the side the player chooses to fight for. The end of the Rebel campaign closely follows the canonical ending of Episode IV. A cutscene shows Luke Skywalker's X-Wing destroying the Death Star and the award ceremony that follows afterwards. However, this ending should not necessarily be treated as canonical, as the final battle with the Death Star can take place over any planet in the game. Moreover, it is still possible for the Rebellion to "win," even if the Empire destroys other planets besides Alderaan, including Yavin IV.

The end of the Imperial campaign is non-canonical, as it is intended to be more of an "alternate history" in the vein of the Infinities universe. The ending cutscene depicts Darth Vader leading a ground assault on what is presumed to be the main Rebel base. The Rebel defenders are quickly crushed as Vader orders his troops to move in. Afterwards, a shuttle is seen flying to the Death Star, flanked by two TIE Fighters. In a scene reminiscent of the Emperor's arrival in Episode VI, an assembly of Imperial troops is shown waiting in one of the battlestation's hangars for the shuttle to land. As the shuttle deposits its contingent of Royal Guards, the Emperor disembarks, greeted by a kneeling Lord Vader. Palpatine congratulates Vader, claiming that the last Jedi and the Rebellion are defeated, and that it is all as he had foreseen.

Two other non-canon endings can be seen in Galactic Conquest mode. If the Rebels defeat the Empire without destroying the Death Star, or the player loses the game as the Empire, the ending cutscene depicts a pitched space battle over a ecumenopolis, presumably Coruscant. A Rebel fleet closes in on an Imperial Star Destroyer with Darth Vader on board. As the Imperial defenses crumble, Vader chokes the Star Destroyer's captain for his apparent incompetence and escapes in his TIE Advanced x1 moments before the ship is destroyed. From there, the same award ceremony cutscene follows that was in the campaign ending. Also, if the Empire destroys the last Rebel planet/one with Mon Mothma on it, the battle will be replaced by the Death Star destroying a planet, followed by the Death Star cutscene.

Modding
As was revealed in early press releases and interviews, EaW is marginally open-source&mdash;with much of the game being controlled through text files (*.txt), XML files (*.xml), DAT files (*.dat), and LUA (*.lua). Anyone with the knowledge and software needed to alter these files can do so. The text files are easily edited in most text-editing programs (though Notepad is often the default editing program on the Windows platform) and control the unique ship names that appear on many of the capital ships as well as a fair amount of the stories used throughout the Galactic Conquest mode. The XML files control much of the data responsible for the appearance and behavior of units and buildings. These files are often, by default, launched in a web browser which allows for viewing only. For the purposes of editing XML WYSIWYG web editors (ie: Microsoft's Front Page and Adobe Macromedia's Dreamweaver), text-editors such as Notepad, or proprietary XML editors can all be utilized (though the latter two are most common due to their relative ease of use).



DAT files require the use of software capable of reading the information embedded within. In Empire at War, DAT files are used to store almost all of the text found within the game. Lastly, the Lua files are used primarily for high-level scripting and AI. The decompiled files come with the Map Editor, and can replace the scripts in the EAW directory without having to compile them.

It is now possible to create new ground and space maps with the map editor released by Petroglyph. Included in the map editor download is a plug-in for 3ds Max 6 that can export models into .alo format used by the Alamo engine. However, 3ds Max 8 users that patch their software to the Service Pack 3 version are able to use the separately released 3ds Max 8 exporter in conjunction with the shaders provided with the map editor. Modified shaders created by EaW modder Mike.nl fixes an issue where the models in the viewports using Rskn shaders are invisible. 3ds Max 8 SP 3 is also necessary in order to use the exporter included with the Forces of Corruption map editor.

The community has been pressing forward in terms of modding, going so far as to implement diplomacy, create new particles, and even have detachments of transports assigned to a specific fleet in Galactic Conquest mode. There exist some fan-made programs to assist with the editing of what can be edited, such as an .alo file viewer and importer.

Mod Projects
There are many large mod projects now in the making, huge mod projects that add entire timelines.
 * A good number of mods can be found here at Filefront

Complete

 * Stargate Empire at War v1.1
 * Strategic Improvement
 * Bailknights Mod
 * EaW Enhanced Mod
 * Phoenix Rising Starfighter Mini-Mod
 * Phoenix Rising Space
 * A Galaxy Divided V3
 * Absolute Enhancement Mod v5.1
 * Absolute Corruption Mod v2.4
 * Z3r0x's FoC Addon v3.5
 * FoC Realistic Galactic Civil War
 * FoC Realistic Galactic Civil War Mini Mod
 * Conflicts in Space v5
 * New Imperial Heroes
 * Ultimate Empire at War
 * SFAW: Sci-fi At War
 * Republic at War
 * Thrawn's Revenge: Imperial Civil War v1.2

Incomplete

 * Darkened Fate: The Galaxy's Veins Overhaul
 * FX Mod
 * Ages of Star Wars: Jedi Civil War
 * Final Front: Iris Offensive
 * Halo: First Offensive
 * Imperial Assault II
 * Shadow of the Empire
 * The Might of the Empire Mod
 * Halo: Covenant at War
 * Alliance

PC Requirements
The following are the minimum requirements for the PC version of Empire At War.

Computer Required: 100% DirectX 9.0c compatible computer

CPU:
 * Required: Intel P3 1.0 GHz or AMD Athlon 1.0 GHz
 * Recommended: Intel P4 2.0 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 2.0 GHz

Memory:
 * Required: 256 MB RAM
 * Recommended: 512 MB RAM

Hard Drive Space:
 * 2.5 GB

Graphics Card:
 * Required: 32 MB 3D Graphics card with Hardware Transform and Lighting (T&L) Capability
 * Recommended 64 MB 3D Graphics card with Hardware Vertex and Pixel Shader (VS/PS) Capability

Sound Card:
 * Required: 100% DirectX 9.0c compatible PCI, USB, or Onboard Audio Device
 * Recommended: EAX 2.0 compliant Audio Device

CD-ROM:
 * Required: 8X Speed CD-ROM drive
 * Recommended: 16X Speed CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

Input Device:
 * Required: Keyboard and mouse

Demo
Before the full game, a demo version was released. It consists of one Galactic Conquest mode not featured in the full version. In this mode only three planets and a few units are availiable. The story is set some time after the establishment of Echo Base on Hoth as the Rebel Alliance learns about an Imperial base in Vergesso asteroids. Fearing that it may detect their presence, the Rebels send Han Solo to deal with it. After the base is destroyed, Han is sent on a mission to liberate Tatooine. There he finds out that the Imperial forces are commanded by Boba Fett. The demo ends after the player captured the planet. This may contradict other sources as Tatooine appears under Imperial control until after the Battle of Endor. But it can be assumed that the Empire simply recaptured the planet later.

Expansion pack


An expansion pack was announced at E3 May 9, 2006. It adds 40 new units, 13 planets, a new faction and new warfare and features. It was released October 24th in the U.S.A and came out October 27th in Europe.

Inconsistencies with established canon
Some of the following inconsistencies could be considered an issue of game balance or mechanics.
 * Ackbar was discovered during the siege of an Imperial space station over Corulag.
 * A-wings are in use in the early Galactic Civil War. The R-22 Spearhead retcon partially reconciles this frequent inconsistency.
 * Antilles, R2-D2 and C-3PO all partake in a mission to Wayland, the Emperor's secret storehouse. No one in the Rebellion had even heard of the planet, much less operated on it, until Thrawn's campaign.
 * Imperial troops deploy from the AT-ATs underbelly rather than the sides.
 * Several Ship armaments and hard points don't match up with the descriptions of the ships i.e. the batteries on the side of the superstructure of an Imperial-class Star Destroyers are made up of turbolasers not ion cannons. Corellian gunships are stated in the game to have 4 banks of concussion missile launchers and 2 laser cannons when other earlier published games and media state the armament as 8 heavy turbolaser turrets, 6 quad laser turrets and 4 concussion missile launchers. Capital starships also have far fewer weapons than canon sources indicate.
 * Several ships seem to have more or less weapon hard-points than they should; such as the EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigates having 2 turbolaser and 2 laser cannon batteries and the Victory-class Star Destroyer's 2 enhanced turbolasers and single ion cannon battery.
 * Proton torpedoes are falsely declared to be able to penetrate any shields, instead of simply being limited use heavy ordinances.
 * Most or all units in-game are scaled wrong, this being especially noticeable during space battles, though this is mostly for game mechanics.

Trivia

 * The in-game description for Maximilian Veers's personal AT-AT Blizzard 1 says his AT-AT cannot be toppled by Rebel Snowspeeders. In the original release, the cable's wouldn't affect the vehicle in any way, however, in one of the recent patches, they stated that it was a bug and altough Veers' AT-AT can't be toppled, it takes heavy damage from the tow cable.
 * In several sources, Fondor is misspelled as "Fonfor".
 * Some sources also make the mistake of using the callsign "Base One" for Admiral Ackbar's Home One.
 * The music was written by composer Frank Klepacki. The entire Empire at War soundtrack is available to listen to on his site.
 * The locations of many of the planets ingame are not exact. An example is the population of the Unknown Regions by well-known and canonically established planets, such as Taris and Thyferra. Differences such as these are due to game mechanics and are thus considered non-canon.
 * When choosing a side to play in the campaign, between the Empire and Rebellion buttons there is a sentence written in the Aurebesh. When translated, it reads "At Petroglyph we are dedicated to making top quality games that are extremely fun and innovative".
 * When clicking on Admiral Ackbar, he sometimes responds, "Beware of traps!" This is reminiscent of his famous phrase "It's a trap!" during the Battle of Endor.
 * Mining planet Kessel was named "Kossal" in the german version of the game. This was done intentionally, as "Kessel" means "pot" in german.
 * Interestingly, the demo featured the First Battle of Bajic which wasn't featured in the full game.

Reaction
Empire at War was well received by fans, and many considered it the best of the Star Wars RTS games. Gamespot called the game "The RTS fans had been waiting for." Others were disappointed that a sequel to Rebellion had not been made. However, some critics, at the worst, claimed the game to be shallow and repetitive, while others considered it fun but basic.

The game holds an overall rating of 79.88% on aggregate ranking site Gamerankings and a 79 on Metacritic. Individual websites such as Gamespot praised the game's "epic-looking battles," "spot-on sound effects," and contrasting gameplay styles between the two factions, the Rebellion and the Empire. However, the game was not without fault as Gamespot found the battles somewhat repetitive and the land battles lacking compared to other facets of gameplay. Another popular gaming website, IGN reviewed the game giving it a 7.6/10. They said that it provided "an authentic Star Wars experience," relating the experience to playing with Star Wars action figures as a child. IGN also complained of the game's repetitiveness and relative lack of variety, although recognized that the game's creators were somewhat hampered by the setting.

Voice Cast

 * Brian Bascle ... Kyle Katarn / Rebel Pilot / Rebel Trooper / Additional Voices (voice)
 * Carolyn Seymour ... Mon Mothma (voice)
 * Chris Cox ... Rebel Trooper / X-Wing Pilot / Additional Voices (voice)
 * Corey Burton ... Tie Fighter Pilot / V-Wing Pilot / Additional Voices (voice)
 * Denny Delk ... Narrator (voice)
 * Edmund Dehn ... Commander Ackbar (voice)
 * Gary Martin ... Interdictor Cruiser / TIE Mauler Commander / Additional Voices (voice)
 * J. Grant Albrecht ... Imperial Officer 1 / Rebel Field Commander / Additional Voices (voice) (as Grant Albrecht)
 * Jamie Glover ... Colonel Veers / Additional Voices (voice)
 * John Armstrong ... Han Solo (voice)
 * Kath Soucie ... Mara Jade / Rebel HUD (voice)
 * Lex Lang ... Scout Trooper / T4-B Tank Commander / Additional Voices (voice)
 * Lloyd Floyd ... Luke Skywalker (voice)
 * Nick Jameson ... Emperor Palpatine / A-Wing Pilot / Red Leader (voice)
 * Paul Darrow ... Grand Moff Tarkin (voice)
 * Rupert Degas ... Captain Piett / Imperial Officer 2 / Additional Voices (voice)
 * Scott Lawrence ... Darth Vader (voice)
 * Steve Blum ... Empire HUD / Stormtrooper / Additional Voices (voice) (as Steven Jay Blum)
 * Stephen Stanton ... Obi-Wan Kenobi / Capt. Antilles / Additional Voices (voice)
 * Temuera Morrison ... Boba Fett (voice)
 * Timothy Watson ... AT-AT Commander / Imperial Officer / Additional Voices (voice)
 * Tom Kane ... C-3PO / Additional Voices (voice)
 * Wayne Grace ... Alliance Shuttle / Gallofree Transport (voice)
 * Christopher Corey Smith ... Rebel Briefing Commander / TIE Fighter Pilot / X-Wing Pilot / Imperial Soldier (voice)