Makeb Makeb was a planet invaded by the Hutt Cartel during the Galactic War . It was a major source of isotope - 5 , one of the rarest minerals in the galaxy . Description . Located in the Makeb system on the edges of Hutt Space , in a region of the galaxy far from major hyperlane s , Makeb was an oceanic planet whose atmosphere featured enormous amounts of electromagnetic interference in its upper levels . The planet ' s gravity , while below standard , possessed unique anomalies that resulted in the formation of many massive stone pillars across Makeb ' s surface . The pillars , which reached high above Makeb ' s cloud layer and were often large enough to contain entire cities on the plateaus and mesas that topped them , were riddled with complex cave systems . The pillars and caves were home to both Makeb ' s native wildlife and numerous deposits of minerals , including the incredibly valuable isotope - 5 . Isotope - 5 was a mineral found only on Makeb , and it was the reason behind Makeb ' s unique atmospheric and gravitational conditions , as the mineral had powerful warping effects on electromagnetic and gravitational fields . History . Early years . As a result of its secluded location , Makeb was not discovered by the galaxy until the Mandalorian Wars , a conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Mandalorian warrior culture that lasted from 3976 BBY to 3960 BBY . During the conflict , a damaged transport carrying Republic refugees — among them several wealthy businessman — crashed on the planet after being caught in the electromagnetic interference in Makeb ' s atmosphere . The businessman Semako Thalien assumed a leadership role among the refugees as they built settlements atop Makeb ' s pillars , and the colonists quickly discovered that Makeb possessed valuable mineral deposits . Forced to improvise mining tools , the settlers began to extract the minerals , and once they re - established communication with the rest of the galaxy , Makeb became immensely profitable for the settlers within fifty years — a large part of which was the result of the influence and wealth of the original settlers . Remaining staunchly independent from the Republic , Makeb began to attract economic leaders , banking corporations , and wealthy tourists , leading to the rise in number of luxury resorts across the planet . The Avesta family , a group of Human merchant explorers , established a number of profitable settlements in the early years of Makeb ' s colonization , and they eventually established the Avesta Mining Corporation . The Avesta family also helped establish the Makeb Business Council - the planet ' s government , and members of the Avesta family negotiated a trade partnership with the Republic . The Hutt Cartel attempted to gain a foothold on the planet upon learning of its valuable resources , but the Business Council rebuffed their attempts and forced the Cartel to negotiate a trade partnership instead . Over the following centuries , Makeb grew in economic power , and though tourism accounted for a large amount of the planet ' s wealth , mining remained the heart of Makeb ' s industry . Makeb ' s capital of Talaos City was established near the original colonists ' landing site , though the planet ' s inhabitants made an effort to keep industrial activities separate from the city . As a result , Talaos City became the center of Makeb ' s banking and technological economy and the heart of the planet ' s culture . The planet was invaded by the Hutt Cartel during the Galactic War in 3639 BBY . Following its capture , both Republic and Imperial forces raced to Makeb with their own agenda . The Republic evacuated many of the former citizens and forced the Hutts out following the planet ' s supposed destruction from the over - mining of isotope - 5 . However , the Empire secretly stabilized the planet ' s core , but by doing so polluted the atmosphere and caused devastating ground tremors and aftershocks that rendered the planet inhospitable . This allowed the Empire to continue harvesting isotope - 5 without the knowledge of the Republic or the Hutt Cartel . Behind the scenes . The planet Makeb is the setting of the video game , the first Digital Expansion for the BioWare - LucasArts video game " " . Makeb was first mentioned in " The Old Republic " in a message from the Sith Warrior companion character Vette . The planet was released as part of " Rise of the Hutt Cartel " on April 9 , 2013 for players who pre - ordered the expansion , and went live for all players who purchased the game on April 14 . Makeb has received the label of " the gay planet " as a result of BioWare ' s addition of same - sex romantic relationships to the non - player characters on the planet . BioWare had faced backlash because " The Old Republic " did not include same - gender relationships , unlike the company ' s past " " and " " game series , as well as their stand - alone game " " and even " " in the form of Juhani , the first lesbian to be introduced to " Star Wars " . The developers promised that they would add the feature as soon as possible , but executive producer Jeff Hickman announced in January 2013 that the process ' s complexity meant that same - sex romances would not be widely available for some time . Hickman also indicated that the developers would compromise in the meantime , and the first major compromise is the planet Makeb . However , the decision has received criticism from newspapers and networks , as some writers compare Makeb to a segregated community only available to high - level players who have purchased the expansion , and some fans remain opposed to the addition .