Well one of my main reasons for saying Star Wars was because Star Wars was a movie first and George Lucas knew he would be very limited to making a movie in the 1970's that would look the part so he admitted limiting the cast , clothing , planets , races and anything else that would take away from the Galaxy.
Now with computer technology he brought in a queen and her wardrobes, the senate , more and more space ships , etc.
I like the LOTR but I just think it got old with RPG's in the 80's with D&D , Might and Magic , Bards Tale.
Star Wars RPG was only done once (The right way) KOTOR
Imagine in the 80's Star Wars Dungeon and Dragons style that would have been great