Next Gen Jedi

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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.

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