Kotaku: force unleashed

Why People Didn't Like The Clone Wars

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:00:00 MDT

Many didn't like The Clone Wars and maybe you don't like it either. Actor Sam Witwer, who did the motion capture and voice work for Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice in The Force Unleashed, has a viable theory why:

On The Clone Wars issue, my take is I just feel like that would have been better represented on television. It was designed for television and it would have been seen in a completely different context if you saw a thirty minute story and then the next week a thirty minute story and if two weeks in a row are about Jabba the Hutt’s son, “that’s fine, let’s move on. Let’s get some more Clone War stories… What else happened?” I think when you put it in a theater, you’re not only up against people like Pixar, but you are up against all of the other Star Wars movies, so I feel like it was a little bit handicapped and I personally feel like people are going to come back to the cartoon and go “You know what? This is great. We were hard on this.” I understand why they were, because they put it in a different arena, a completely different playing field and again I don’t think that is where it was designed to be. Would you agree with that?

Well, would you?

Quint chats with Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice [Ain't It Cool News]

Lucasarts Explain Sucky Star Wars Games

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:00:00 MDT

Once was a day where if you saw the words "Lucasarts" and "Star Wars" on a game box, it'd be an instant purchase. X-Wing, Tie Fighter, Super Star Wars, Dark Forces, Jedi Knight...all solid gold. But then something happened. They started putting out more Star Wars games. And they started to stink up the joint. Sure, a cynic might say that's because, as the dash for Star Wars cash intensified, quality control standards slipped, but Lucasarts have a different answer. They say that because it's "such a great licence", it's "really easy to get excited about that and not set the bar high enough." Whatever lets you sleep at night, guys. That quote's part of an interview with Force Unleashed's Cameron Suey, who swears that FU won't suffer the same fate, but then, that's something we've heard more than once from Lucasarts before.

Lack of ambition to blame for previous Star Wars flops, admits LucasArts [Eurogamer] [Image]

Force Unleashed Not Coming To PC, And This Is The Best Excuse Lucasarts Could Come Up With

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:20:00 MDT

Well, PC gamers, it looks like piracy isn't the only reason developers are cutting back on the number of games they create for the platform. It's also your expensive, cutting-edge rigs! In trying to explain why Lucasart's upcoming Force Unleashed wouldn't be gracing the company's former home platform, producer Cameron Suey has said:

[If we made the game for high-end PCs], someone with a low-end PC would have a watered down experience, they would have to turn all the settings down and it wouldn't be the same game. On the other hand if we made that game for as many people as possible then it's not taking advantage of what those $4,000 systems can do.

What a load of rubbish! You're gonna cut PC gamers out of the loop, Lucasarts, the least you can do is be straight with them. Or at the very least, come up with a better cover story than "we won't scale the graphics on a PC game".

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Interview [VideoGamer]

G4: Video of Force Unleashed for Wii, Duel Mode

ogood — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:00:00 MDT

Ah the Wiimote. An elegant weapon, not as clumsy or as random like a blaster. Paired with the Nunchuk, it's pretty awesome too, according to this video from G4, which got an exclusive hands-on with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for the Wii's duel mode. (Man that was a mouthful).

G4's reporter went as Luke Skywalker, duking it out in a TIE Fighter bay with Asajj Ventress There's saber-slashing and Force-choking galore, all arising from a pretty shrewd use of combinations and reverse moves in both controllers. It's not all lightning bolts and throws, either. Check out that old-school kick to the grill Luke delivers at the end.

The video says you'll get 9 different arenas and 27 characters to choose from, classics to the expanded universe. I know that LucasArts is promising exclusive gameplay for all consoles. But I had the two Jedi Knight games on Xbox, where lightsaber combat was a lot of button mashing and getting lucky. Honestly, if the purpose of this is to at last swing a lightsaber in 1:1 combat, then this is your baseline version.

It's probably going to make me buy a Wii. The question, will it make others do the same?

X-Play Exclusive: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for Wii [G4]

Play As Vader, Magic-Strangle Wookies

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:30:00 MDT

The above clip features not only the announcement that Darth Vader will be playable in the opening level of Lucasart's Force Unleashed, but also word that via the powers of the force you'll be able to pick a wookie up off the ground and wring his garbling, furry neck. Which should be the clip's highlight, but no! That honour goes to Force Unleashed's project lead, Hayden Blackman, who manages to keep the PR team happy by saying that your force powers are "amped up, over the top and in some cases totally out of control" while somehow keeping a straight face. Well done, Hayden.

The Force Unleashed Lego You Had To Have

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:30:00 MST

No escaping it. It was Star Wars-related, it's a videogame, so it was always going to get some Lego. This is the Rogue Shadow, and is the ship of one the game's stars, Imperial pilot Juno Eclipse. The set also includes three figures: Juno, a battle-damaged Darth Vader (who looks fantastic) and Vader's secret, probably evil apprentice. The Rogue Shadow, which is retailing for $49.99, should be rolling out to toy stores as you read this.

[Star Wars Shop]

Every Single LucasArts Game Ever

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:40:59 MDT

I was pretty bummed out to discover that LucasArts was showing nothing new at Comic Con, as I'd heard a rumor that Force Unleashed was going to make a playable appearance. Sure, I still plan on going back to the booth and playing what is on hand—entirely E3 repeats—but I was most impressed with Lucasarts' display of (what appears to be) every single LucasArts game in the universe. And they're all *mint*.

Force Unleashed Trailer on Entertainment Tonight?

Mike Fahey — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:30:14 MDT

Just received an email from LucasArts, announcing a very special preview of the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga, The Forced Unleashed. Turns out there will be a special preview tomorrow night, though it won't be going on here at E3, but rather on Entertainment Tonight?

We wanted to let you know some exciting news about "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed." Tomorrow (Thursday) at 7 p.m. ET/PT, "Entertainment Tonight" is scheduled to host the world TV premiere of a special preview of "The Force Unleashed," including the very first look anywhere at the trailer for the next chapter of the "Star Wars" Saga, which debuts from LucasArts in Spring 2008. Be sure to check your local listings for the exact time and channel in your area, then tune in to "Entertainment Tonight" for this special preview of this exciting new "Star Wars" adventure!

So whatever you do, don't forget to stop playing video games and reading E3 news and tune into Entertainment Tonight tomorrow evening. Let's hope we don't all completely forget.

Force Unleashed, LEGO Indiana Jones at E3?

Brian Crecente — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 08:00:08 MDT

A tipster sends word on some Lucas Arts announcements they say will be hitting during E3. First, the tipster says that a trailer for Force Unleashed will be released on Thursday about halfway through E3. The trailer will also be showing up on Entertainment Tonight, the tipster goes on to say.

There will also be a LEGO Indiana Jones game announced during the show and finally, Fracture, Lucas Arts earth warping video game, will get a July 2008 release date. The game, the tipster says, will take place in the middle of a second civil war, West Coast mutants against the East Coast cybers. The game will feature maps based in San Francisco (where global warming has dried up the bay), a desert in middle America, and Washington D.C. The gameplay will have defined mission objectives, and not sandbox play. The terrain deformation will affect buildings, which will be powered by the Havok physics engine.

Keep in mind these are only rumors. I'd say they sound likely, because of the rumblings of a new Star Wars game and the upcoming Indie film, but I'm still 50/50 on them.

Force Unleashed Action Figures

Mike Fahey — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:40:52 MST

While diligently scouring the internet for video game news and certainly not trying to find out what the latest Transformers toys look like, I stumbled upon a gallery of action figures based on the recently announced Star Wars game, The Force Unleashed. Taken at Toy Fair 2007 earlier this week and posted at the Jedi Insider website, the pics could give us a little insight into what to expect from the story. Take the girl at the right there. Trashy slut Jedi who has been in the raspberry jelly again. Oh that Trashy. What won't she do? Other highlights include Grand Moff Hottie, Another Damn Stormtrooper, and Slapstick Vader with Fall-Apart armor action. Completely making the names up, of course, but imagination is fun. Michael Fahey

Jedi Insider Force Unleashed Gallery [Jedi Insider]

Clip: Lucasarts Tech Demo Unleashed

Mike Fahey — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:40:10 MST

As a sort of semi-preview for what to expect in the next-gen versions of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, kotakuite Ally directed me towards this technology demo from GDC 2006, which highlights Digital Molecular Matters methods for interacting with materials. The vid starts off with some Indiana Jones character reaction goodness as well.

Pretty exciting stuff there, but as another kotakuite, Pdubbs601 points out, LucasArts has stated that this new tech is only viable on next-gen consoles, so don't expect to see the same effects in the PS2 or PSP version. Michael Fahey

Lucas Arts GC 2006 Technology Demo [Google Video - Thanks Ally!]

Force Unleashed Website Launched

Mike Fahey — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:20:31 MST

Yeah, so remember earlier today when I said we didn't have any further info on the next-gen Star Wars game, The Force Unleashed? Just got an email from LucasArts announcing the launch of the official website for the official game that has Star Wars fans getting really ticked off in the comments section of major gaming blogs.

It's okay everybody! You pay a secret apprentice! That's why you are never mentioned in any of the canon materials! Continuity is fine!

Decisions made by players throughout the game will determine the path of the story, including multiple endings that will rock Star Wars continuity as they know it.

Oh boy.

Well at least we have a date. November 2007 is when they plan to launch the game for the PS3, PS2, 360, DS, and PSP. Plus there are production diaries, so you know who to direct your anger at. Just remember, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering...ooohhh I get it, you guys are just getting into character! Now that's dedication. Michael Fahey

The Official Force Unleasehed Website

Next-Gen Star Wars Info Surfaces

Mike Fahey — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 09:20:49 MST

The next issue of Game Informer, hitting stores now but yet to hit my mailbox despite spending $15 on GameStop's stupid discount card, reveals details on LucasArt's next generation Star Wars title for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Called Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the game will put you in the shoes of Darth Vader's apprentice, tasked with hunting down the remaining Jedi and otherwise bridging the gap between Episode III and Episode IV. I'm guessing that the character you play will be directly responsible for everything going so retro between the two films.

Nothing yet on developers, release dates, or if they've finally managed to get the rights to use "On the Dark Side" by Eddie and the Cruisers in the game, but we'll keep you posted. Michael Fahey

Next-gen Star Wars revealed [Eurogamer]