Star Wars Gaming News

[Talon Karrde]

From starwars.com:

"LucasArts today announced Star Wars: The Clone Wars will blast its way onto the Wii and Nintendo DS in Holiday 2008. Bringing an entirely new look and feel to the galaxy far, far away, Star Wars: The Clone Wars combines the cinematic qualities of the Star Wars movies with state-of-the-art computer-generated imagery from artists at Lucasfilm Animation.

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels, in development by Krome Studios exclusively for the Wii, delivers fun-filled Lightsaber battles for the entire family while it immerses players in the characters, locations, and epic duels from the all-new Star Wars feature film. Built from the ground-up for the Wii, Lightsaber Duels features an intuitive motion-controlled combat system that puts the lightsaber weapon in your hand for non-stop fun.

• Fight the most memorable duels from The Clone Wars feature film.
  
• Wield your Wii Remote like a Lightsaber and experience first-hand the unique weapon of the Jedi knights with intuitive controls, so no matter what your gaming experience you can become a Lightsaber master.
  
• Play with your friends as your favorite Clone Wars hero or villain -- from familiar characters like Anakin Skywalker and General Grievous to new faces like Ahsoka Tano and Asajj Ventress -- each with a unique fighting style and set of skills.
  
• Exploit your interactive surroundings to defeat your opponent: slice down pillars and Force throw them against your foe.
  
• Duel your way through significant Clone Wars locations, such as Tatooine and Teth.
  

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance, developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS by the LucasArts Singapore team in conjunction with Lucasfilm Animation, lets gamers experience the awesome power when two Jedi join forces to fight as one. With an innovative stylus-based input, controlling the Jedi's movement and engaging in Lightsaber combat has never felt more immersive.

• Play through an original story -- exclusive to the Nintendo DS -- that expands The Clone Wars series in exciting new directions.
  
• Create your own Jedi dream teams by pairing Jedi Masters and Padawans. For example, team up Anakin Skywalker with Obi-Wan Kenobi, or Ahsoka Tano with Mace Windu.
  
• Develop the relationship between two Jedi and generate more powerful attacks and special abilities. Replay missions with different character combinations to unlock new areas, collectibles, and other secrets.
  
• Play with a friend using wireless drop-in/drop-out coop.
  
• Control all movement, Lightsaber combat and cinematic action sequences with just the DS stylus.
  

"Working on The Clone Wars chapter of the Star Wars Saga has been an exciting endeavor for everyone here at LucasArts," said Feargus Carroll, project lead for LucasArts Singapore. "The intuitive and accessible gameplay on both the Wii and the Nintendo DS complement one of the most exciting Star Wars adventures yet."

The world premiere trailer for the games will debut exclusively on Spike TV's "GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley" on Friday, June 20."

[Talon Karrde]

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

"Thirty-one years ago, the first Star Wars movie galvanized audiences around the word, sparking a phenomenon that has spanned generations. With today's release of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, one of the most highly anticipated video games of the year, LucasArts proves that the Force is stronger than ever.

Available now on home game systems, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed completely re-imagines the scope and scale of the Force and casts players as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice," unveiling new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy seen through the eyes of this mysterious new character, who is armed with unprecedented powers.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is not only LucasArts' first internally developed title for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 systems, but also represents the first in-game collaboration of talents and technology between LucasArts and sister company Industrial Light & Magic. The end result is a game authentic to the world in which it is set, unique in its presentation and unforgettable as a Star Wars experience.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed also breaks new ground on these consoles by taking full advantage of newly developed technologies experienced for the first time together: Digital Molecular Matter, by Pixelux Entertainment, and euphoria by NaturalMotion. These technologies imbue objects and enemies with the ability to react with incredible realism, bringing depth and richness to the Star Wars galaxy that is unprecedented for a video game, and showcasing the unique blend of storytelling, technology and interactive entertainment that is the hallmark of LucasArts." - from the Star Wars Homing Beacon Newsletter

For more information, visit www.starwars.com

[Talon Karrde]

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron

From starwars.com: "Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron presents an expanded new take on the classic Star Wars Battlefront gameplay, resulting in new levels of interaction and excitement in handheld gaming. The massive, galactic campaign will ship this Fall for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and Nintendo DS.

For the first time ever in the Star Wars Battlefront series, players will be able to fight on multi-level battlefronts, on the ground and in space. Players can start the fight on foot, commandeer a vehicle to battle on the ground or dogfight in space, and land their craft and fight on capital starships. The battles waged on each front are all directly affected by the player's actions, creating a combat experience where every shot fired and every enemy defeated can affect the outcome of a battle on another front.


Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron features a deep and engrossing single player campaign that spans the entire Star Wars Saga -- and beyond. Gamers assume the identity of X2, a clone trooper created from the DNA of a Jedi Master. Originally tasked with eliminating Jedi during Order 66, X2 decides to leave his blood-stained past behind and joins the Rebellion. X2 isn't the only Force-sensitive clone, however. X1, his clone brother, chooses a much more sinister path, leading to a confrontation that could determine the fate of both the Empire and the Rebellion.
Additionally, players will have at their disposal massive amounts of pick-up and play action for seemingly endless replay value. The PSP provides the deepest customization options ever seen in a Star Wars Battlefront title, allowing players to personalize and build their character with more weapons and items than ever before, including the weapons characters carry into battle, the armor they wear on their backs, their species, gender, appearance and physical strengths. Players can also unlock hundreds of other items and bonuses to help even the odds. On Nintendo DS, players can experience a unique class-based gameplay experience that allows them to outfit their characters with pre-determined weapon armaments, including heavy weapons, blasters and even lightsabers.


Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron on the PSP supports 16-player multiplayer, complete with in-depth stat tracking, and intense 4-player skirmishes on Nintendo DS across a wide number of modes, including the all-new "Heroes and Villains." Take up arms as some of the most iconic Star Wars characters, including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Kit Fisto, Darth Maul and other familiar faces from Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. And battle for the fate of the galaxy on some of the most memorable Star Wars planets of all time, including the forest-covered landscape of Endor, the frozen wastes of Hoth and even the mysterious Yavin 4."

[Talon Karrde]

From starwars.com: "It's been a very busy week for LucasArts -- and especially, for fans of LucasArts games -- as a number of exciting titles have been announced at E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. StarWars.com has been keeping track of the announcements and reveals. Check out the links below for more information.

The Old Republic Cinematic Trailer: Perhaps the biggest buzz from the show on the Star Wars front was LucasArts and BioWare unveiling an action-packed and dramatic cinematic trailer that introduces the conflict and environs of their forthcoming MMO game, The Old Republic. If you've ever wondered what a full-on battle between legions of Jedi Knights and Sith would look like, this video is a must-see.

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron: The popular Battlefront saga continues on handheld platforms as Elite Squadron comes to the Sony PSP System and Nntendo DS this Fall. The single player campaign follows a deep original story that spans the entire Star Wars saga, while the game also offers an endless source of pick-up and play action.

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes: The Clone Wars saga continues in September with an all new story that bridges the span between Seasons One and Two of the smash hit animated series. This multi-console release puts you in command of Jedi Knights and clones troopers in over 30 unique missions that plunge you into the heart of the Clone Wars, and against enemies both familiar and new.

LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues: The brick with the hat is back! The fun brick-building adventures that could only come from LucasArts and Traveller's Tales return with LEGO Indiana Jones 2. Guide Indy and his friends through all his cinematic adventures, including -- for the first time-- scenarios drawn from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Monkey Island Returns! Guybrush Threepwood finally returns! The hilarious classic, The Secret of Monkey Island, is being dusted off and polished in a new Special Edition release. But purists need not fret, because this release allows players to switch back and forth from the newly remastered edition to the blocky pixel goodness of the original. Plus, Telltale Games and LucasArts will start an all new series of episodic adventures called Tales of Monkey Island."

For more info on LucasArts games, visit www.lucasarts.com/.

[Talon Karrde]

Death Troopers Adventure Series for Star Wars: Galaxies

From starwars.com: "Star Wars Galaxies, the popular massively-multiplayer online game from Sony Online Entertainment and LucasArts, is introducing a quest series into the game this Fall based on the recently announced Random House novel Death Troopers...The Death Troopers series of adventures will mark the first time that the Star Wars Galaxies game has introduced content inspired by a current novel and given gamers and Star Wars fans the chance to live out these adventures together online. Players will be able to join together to fight horrific new enemies with a frightening affliction.

Star Wars Galaxies offers players the chance to become part of the Star Wars universe by creating a character in-game based on one of eight Star Wars species. Player characters pursue adventure, fame and rewards by building power within their chosen profession, which includes Jedi, bounty hunter, smuggler, officer, trader, entertainer and others that fans have seen portrayed by characters in the movie series.

Every body counts in the battle to save the galaxy! To become part of Star Wars Galaxies, visit www.starwarsgalaxies.com to find out how you can enter the Star Wars Galaxies 14-day free trial. Star Wars Galaxies, where the movies and novels end, your adventures begin!"

[Talon Karrde]

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes

From the Star Wars Newsletter: "Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes is now available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Wii, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, Nintendo DS and PC.

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes allows players to fight as both Jedi Knights and clone troopers through over 40 unique missions, all created from shared visual assets from the TV series. Featuring a brand-new storyline, players get the chance to take part in the key events that lead directly into the highly anticipated second season of the animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Jedi characters can slice and dice their way through countless enemies, commandeer droids and show off their combat prowess on foot and in a variety of vehicles. Clone troopers fire things up with a heavy weapons armament that includes rocket launchers, thermal detonators and even jet packs in levels built specifically to take run-and-gun gameplay to exciting levels.

To capture the Jedi Master and Padawan dynamic, as well as the squad camaraderie of everyone's favorite clone troopers, the game also supports two player local drop-in and drop-out cooperative play on the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii. Families have made the television series a cross-generational success and now they can truly experience the most authentic Star Wars: The Clone Wars video game experience together.

More information about the game can be found at the official website. You can pick up a copy of the game in your preferred format at StarWarsShop.com. "

[Talon Karrde]

LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

From starwars.com: "LucasArts and TT Games today announced the development of LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. The next chapter in the award-winning LEGO Star Wars video game franchise, LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars will combine the best elements of all previous LEGO games while adding brand new gameplay to make it the most action-packed LEGO videogame to date. Developed by the same team at Traveller's Tales that created the critically acclaimed LEGO Star Wars and LEGO Indiana Jones series, the game will ship on the Wii, Nintendo DS, PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, and Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows in the Fall of 2010.

"LucasArts continues to set the bar for next-generation family entertainment," said Darrell Rodriguez, president of LucasArts. "The LEGO Star Wars franchise is a massive hit with fans, bringing in sales of over 20 million units worldwide. We're thrilled to extend this experience to LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, delivering the humor and fun players expect from this award winning franchise."

"LucasArts is an amazing partner, and working with them on the next iteration of the LEGO Star Wars series continues to be a great experience," said Tom Stone, director at TT Games. "The team at TT is working hard at making this simply the best LEGO game ever with all new gameplay and features never before seen in a LEGO game."

LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars will include all the characters from both seasons of the hugely popular animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as some fan-favorite characters from the beloved theatrical Star Wars Saga. The game will feature brand new battle modes, giving players unique, head-to-head combat and an upgraded level builder, allowing the creation of customized bases and in-game battlefields. Play either as a Jedi or Separatist with all-new character abilities, such as Squad command, Lightsaber slicing, Lightsaber jumps, long distance Jedi attacks and Grapple Tie-Ups, all within a new, easy-to-navigate hub."