What's The Story?

Whats The Story entry example What's The Story? entry example What's The Story? was a unique segment featured on the official Star Wars fan club's website, known as Star Wars Hyperspace. It presented Hyperspace subscribers with the prospect of influencing the Star Wars Expanded Universe by writing background information for specific elements of the saga, generally less prominent characters or vehicles seen in the movies.

Successful submissions achieved official Star Wars canon, being published within the Databank and incorporated into the Holocron continuity database. This initiative was introduced on June 24, 2005, and concluded on January 4, 2008, an end first suggested by Pablo Hidalgo from Lucas Online. The project commenced by developing the backstory for Tannon Praji, a figure from the then-newly released film, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Fittingly, the last submission concerned Bane Malar, a character featured in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, which at the time was chronologically the last Star Wars film.

In October of 2008, Hyperspace began publishing fresh narratives penned by authors from What's The Story?. As of March 2010, Hyperspace had published articles from Edward M. Erdelac, Nathan O'Keefe, Adrick Tolliver, James McFadden, Gregory Walker, and John Hazlett.

The Mechanics

The submission form was updated on a regular basis, presenting fans with a new topic to explore through writing. Initially, this occurred weekly, then bi-weekly, and ultimately on the first Friday of each month. Submissions had to adhere to provided information and criteria, with a strict limit of 2000 characters. Each entry was reviewed by a panel of judges, who selected the best submissions as finalists. Pablo Hidalgo then chose the winning submission, or combined and edited several submissions into the final version. The Databank was updated with either five or six winners simultaneously, or sometimes individually.

Compendium of Submissions and Writers

Later Appearances and Mentions in Legends

A compilation of What's The Story? elements that have subsequently been featured in subsequent Star Wars Legends works.

Direct Mentions

References in other What's The Story? entries

  • Romeo Treblanc : Shaliqua, Diva in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link) , Grey, Ottegru in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
  • Tannon Praji : Grey, Ottegru in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link) , Kuat, Onara in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
  • Rango Tel : Dusty Duck in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
  • Ottegru Grey : Kuat, Onara in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
  • Cebann Veekan : Rho, Myhr in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
  • Tian Chyler : Willrow Hood in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
  • Wam Lufba : Yoxgit in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)

Entries reprinted in Star Wars Insider

Implied Mentions

Removed Mentions

  • Bal'demnic : Abel G. Peña referenced Bal'demnic in Underworld Appendix: Swoops, Spice, and Wretched Rogues , but Lucasfilm ultimately removed it. [6]

Newly Introduced Elements

Other elements introduced into the Star Wars universe (or initially identified) via What's The Story? include:

Legacy of the Authors

Beginning in the month of October of 2008, Hyperspace began the practice of publishing new stories and articles created by the What's The Story? authors.

Resources

Hyperspace:

  • What's The Story?—Submit A Backstory on Hyperspace (content obsolete and backup link not available) (fortnightly submission form)
  • Hyperspace Presents: What's the Story? on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) (original media release)

Databank:

  • Hyperspace Presents: What's the Story, Round 1 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 1 winners in Databank , published August 12 , 2005 )
  • Hyperspace Presents: What's the Story, Round 2 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 2 winners in Databank , published September 30 , 2005)
  • What's the Story, Round 3 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 3 winners in Databank , published November 18 , 2005)
  • What's the Story, Round 4 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 4 winners in Databank , published February 3 , 2006 )
  • What's the Story, Round 5 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 5 winners in Databank , published April 17 , 2006)
  • What's the Story, Round 6 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 6 winners in Databank , published August 31 , 2006)
  • What's the Story, Round 7 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 7 winners in Databank , published September 28 , 2006)
  • What's the Story: Episode I on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link) - (Round 8 winners in Databank , published January 12 , 2007 )

Forum threads:

  • Whats the Story? Discussion and Analysis on StarWars.com Message Boards. (content obsolete and backup link not available)
  • Official "What's the Story?" Hyperspace Databank Feature Discussion on the Jedi Council Forums (Literature board) (backup link)

Blog entries:

  • "To Aspiring Writers" — Only Sith Deal In Absolutes! — Abel G. Peña's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; backup link)
  • "Your First Steps Into A Larger World" — Only Sith Deal In Absolutes! — Abel G. Peña's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; backup link)
  • "What's the Story? …Behind the Scenes" — Only Sith Deal In Absolutes! — Abel G. Peña's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; backup link)
  • "That Was One In A Million" — Only Sith Deal In Absolutes! — Abel G. Peña's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; backup link)

Footnotes and Citations

Appearances