Sony Online has already launched an online trading card game based on their MMO Everquest. Now the publisher, along with Lucasarts, has announced plans to do the same with another of their MMO titles, Star Wars Galaxies. The Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, due for release late this summer, will be made available only for people who have paid subscriptions to the MMO title which is celebrating its fith anniversary this year.

The first release, titled Champions of the Force, will contain 250 digital trading cards on both the light and dark sides of the Force with support for single player, online one-on-one multiplayer, tournaments and more. Some special cards can be redemned for virtual items inside the Star Wars Galaxies MMO.

This trading card game is only part of Sony Online and LucasArts' plans to celebrate the fifth birthday of the game. There will be special in-game events such as concerts from the Max Rebo band (the band that played in Jabba the Hutt's palace in Return of the Jedi) and other events. Also some special in-game items will be released for subscribers to the game include a virtual Empire Strikes Back movie poster for use inside player's in-game residences.