NEWS: Next Gen Jedi

GEEK: Next Gen Jedi

With the late-2006 release of Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PS3, the origin tale of next gen video gaming is complete. Wii and its unique motion sensitive remote was instantly hailed as a breath of innovative air in the gaming community, leading to countless and inevitable fan boy battles over which system is superior. As the combative cross-talk between Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 users begins to die down, many insatiable and discerning gamers are already asking - What’s next? Last week, at the 2007 edition of the Game Develpers Conference in San Francisco, LucasArts gave an indication of what’s to come.

Scheduled for release in early 2008, LucasArts’ "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" represents the first next-generation title for George Lucas’ iconic franchise on the Xbox 360 and the PS3. (Wii players will have to wait to channel the force, unfortunately). The game takes place in the time period between Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars. The game’s narrative and action revolves around a young Jedi who serves as an apprentice to Darth Vader.

An early build of the game, shown at GDC 2007, looks promising.

The GDC event follows on the heels of leaked footage showing pre-vis CG work from the game’s early development. The concept footage gives a glimpse into the impressive array of powers and abilities displayed by its Jedi characters.

The footage also shows off the game’s central innovation – intuitive, self-preservation-based A.I. on the part of the game’s non-player characters. A subsequent demo of the game's engine shows hapless stormtroopers struggling to hang on to a crumbling support beam, suspended high above the ground.

Clearly, LucasArts intends to put its stamp on next gen gaming, not just in terms of advancing Star Wars mythology, but in terms of enhancing overall game play and interactivity for years to come.

Suhweeeetttttt!!!!!

looks like it could be a great game

I hope they drop it onto PC at some point. It looks good, but not enough to attract me to the land of Consoles.

This article is much, much better than this one. Way to actually do some research and report about the game!


Also, I'm sort of getting tired of there being NO ONE in the video game industry with the balls to go somewhere with the Star Wars storyline. Everything is a prequel or something in between storylines. How 'bout doing some of the post ROTJ stuff that came out in the comics and novels? That'd be great. Ok, maybe I should be ashamed of myself.

Ever played the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight Series? May not be Based on Novels or Comics, but its a good continuation of the Star Wars Saga from someone more neutral. A Mercenary. Plus not much beats a long day like taking out your frustrations in a Saber Duel with Jedi Knight Multiplayer

I agree that it would be cool, but It seems you are mistaken. The "Jedi Academy" games (at least 2) both take place after Jedi, as Luke rebuilds the Jedi order (same as in the books). Fun game, you should try it.

Ok, ok, ya got me, but those were scraping the bottom of the barrel both plot and gameplay-wise.

I loved star wars growing up. It would be nice to see a PC version of this game.

I'm surprised they didn't leap to make a game for the Wii. That thing was fucking designed for lightsaber battles.

almost.... the Remote may not respond too well for a saberlock...... But still, the Wii seems to be the most innovative format for such a game.

I would have liked to have seen the actual saber being used.

Everyone talks about how innovative the wand is, and I was pretty excited for it, but so far the uses for it that I've seen have been less than stellar. Mostly it seems that they're just using directional motion as replacement for a button.

probaly because GL has got that shit locked up tighter than the boston mayor's ass.
it would be cool if he would let go his death grip ever so lightly, so that game makers could.

Greater Star Wars geeks please forgive me, but I'm pretty sure there's always a Sith master and an apprentice. No more. At least according to Yoda. How can there be Palpatine, Vader, and Apprentice Guy?

Hopefully, they're saving their juice for a Wii game. It's a perfect match. Wake me when they do.

Good point. Vader was going to kill Palpatine to make Luke his apprentice. But, maybe Palpatine was just too busy to help Vader with his homework.

Apparently, the idea that apprentice guy is working for Vader, with Palpatine still in the mix, is one of the plot developments that the video game adds to the STAR WARS mythology.

hot damn man... its about time Star Wars reached to the potential of the force and even better- the darker feel, that the games should have.

Those stormtroopers don't seem to be very good at self-preservation....

They wouldnt know what to do with an injured trooper if they had one.

I'm going to let my inner geek come out for a second. Yes there could only be one master and one apprentice, but Vader had been training others to be his apprentice to overthrow Palpatine. According to the Extended Universe he was training a Sith Apprentice named Lumiya who plays a major role in the new books that are out now.

Drool...cumstain

Oooooooo, he so tricky! ><

Dang. I should have taken that LuasArts job.

Not to mention throwing around stormtroopers with a flick of your wrist.