Since I didn't see any other posts about this, I figured I would make one. Just because I CAN. If you want the basic idea of what's going on, I guess you can just click the links. There was another tech demo showing DMM in action, but I can't find it at the moment.

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There were some news posts about it yesterday and today, and a website was also launched for it. LucasArts announced that the next game in the Star Wars franchise will be called "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" (like the name of the pre-vis). It's being developed in-house.

Quote from the Gamasutra news post: According to the official website, it's being developed for next-generation platforms, PS2, PSP, and DS. A few sites have specifically reported the "next-gen platforms" as being the 360 and PS3. They're also aiming for a November release.

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Now, I've got a few concerns for this game.

1. There has been mention of Xbox 360 and PS3, but no mention whatsoever of Windows/PC. Personally, I can't afford to go spend $2000 or so on a new console and TV. So, if there's no PC version, I guess it's just another game I won't be able to play until I've finished my degree.
2. The release is scheduled for November. That seems kind of soon, but then again, I don't know how far along they are in the development. I guess we'll see.
3. The vague details about things like Force powers. They mention having four "core" Force powers (grip, push, lightning, and... repulse?), but nothing about whether those will be the only Force powers available, or if those are simply the basic powers that you start with (hence the keyword "core"). This is just something that will be cleared up as the development progresses and we get more details, I'm guessing.

I know some of you might think that Star Wars has been beaten to death and then some. You might think "Unleashed? This franchise wandered out into the road and got run over by a truck. Repeatedly." But, I've really enjoyed playing a lot of the Star Wars games, so I'm optimistic that they won't completely mess it up. Anyway, that's all I've got. Discuss.

I want Wii Star Wars.

i want 360 star wars.... ive honestly found the wii controller to be nothing but uncomfortable and clunky. that nunchuck thing is just too tiny for my hands... i get cramped hands

DS version? God, I don't even want to think about it.

Woah. When did LucasArt's website change? Well, it's an annoying new design.

The game does look very good and sounds like it'll be a blast to play. I just got my new GameInformer yesterday and they had a full 5 page article in there on this up coming game. Granted that they don't mention anything about PC play but if it does come out for the Wii (they say it's still in the works), not to expect to use the Wiimote as a lightsaber. There really isn't a mention of more "active" force powers then the ones that you listed (except saber throw but I'm sure that is a give me) but, there will be passive ones (deflect is the only one that is mentioned in the article) but you will be able to combine powers for added effect. For instance they mention that you'll be able to lift an enemy into the air, hit him with Lightning then toss him at another group of enemies to act as a bomb that will fry the whole group as well. Another way is to force push an enemy at a group and then hit him with saber throw which will split the pushed enemy into basically 2 projectiles. Over the course of the game you'll be able to upgrade any of the powers that you have (active or passive). The other thing is that you'll be hunting down jedi that have escaped order 66 in order to become more powerful (to hopefully overthrow the emperor). They have mentioned that jedi vs jedi combat will be handled so that you won't be able to just spam push and kill em. Basically, they will have a "Force shield" around them (and you I'd assume) that will protect them from force powers. You will have to wear them down so that their shield will be weakened and then you can hit them with your full force power and kill them. This Mechanic will be brought over to Multiplayer as well. There will be multiple endings but, seeing as how this is a bridge between Episode 3 and Episode 4, there will be one ending that will be chosen as the "Right" ending. The article states that the Apprentice will be faced with making certain moral choices as well, so it may be possible to shift him to the lightside but that is just a guess on my part. Also, one of the jedi that you will fight is Shaak Ti, well her and her pack of rancors. Well, I think I've rambled on long enough but don't fear, I haven't mentioned everything that was in the GameInformer Magazine, not only that but some of the art work in there is very nice and some of it is actual screen shots from the game (although they look more like some of the Concept art that you've probably seen already).

Biggest block of text ever.

I don't know if it's an option for you, but the xbox 360 is quite compatible with an LCD computer monitor. Saves you the money it would cost to buy a new tv.

saber battle with a wii-mote? that would be awesome

Oh yeah. Thanks for the reminder, Darth. I was actually thinking of that kind of solution around Christmas (dreaming of things I can't afford :o).

Also, just in case anyone wants to see something similar to the DMM video I was trying to find, they have a couple of videos in with the game's information pages. http://www.lucasarts.com/games/theforceunleashed/gameinfo/news/technology.html

*nods*
360 + 20" WS monitor = win.

It seems to me that games that are heavily cross platform as this one, tend to suck more, probably from a lack of attention to quality on any single platform, and more time wasted converting the game, and just so they can get more money from a broader audience. As far as the lack of a PC version, I don't think this should surprise us anymore. Console gaming is much more popular these days, and I have a feeling the PC won't be around much longer as a viable gaming platform. That's just my opinion though.

You're insane. Continued development of better and better hardware and success of online games will allow PCs to maintain their position at the front of the online gaming world.

You are speaking specifically of online games, I wasn't. Sure, if that's the way you wanna look at it, your right. Online games are dominant on the PC. If they could make WoW for consoles, I am sure we would see a lot more people abandoning their PC's though. You cant say that better hardware will keep the PC at the forefront. That doesn't necessarily matter to everyone. I got sick of upgrading my computer to keep up with graphics, and have since realized the joy of consoles. I now have a Xbox, PS2 and GameCube, all of which cost me less than upgrading my computer again.

Microsoft is really doing its best to bring the same level of online gaming to consoles with the xbox360. The only downside is the fact that you have to pay for the service, but the benefits of having the service are worth the price.

Yes, it is your opinion. But I don't understand where you get the notion that console gaming is significantly "more popular these days" than PC gaming (any statistics on that?). It is obvious that there is much publicity in today's gaming world over consoles because, well, 2006 was a year when 3 new consoles came out, but I'm not seeing how gaming on the PC will now be left in the dust, to the point that it "won't be around much longer as a viable gaming platform". That's a big claim.

neeeeeeeat

Great they wait untill NOW to give the PS2 a Star Wars FPS.
Goddamit.

Eh. I don't think it's going to be for PS2...

The official site says PS2.

Okay, so like Shawn Templar said in his large block of text, there's apparently an article in Game Informer with more information on the game. I found a few more details at TheForce.Net. If I'm reading it right, LucasArts are only working on next-gen console versions (only 360 and PS3, not PC). Krome Studios are handling the PS2 and PSP versions of the game, and n-Space are handling the DS version. So really, LucasArts only have to worry about the next-gen version. They aren't spreading themselves as thin as first thought.

Also, it's a slightly misguided/misinformed effort, but someone put up a petition for LucasArts to make a PC version. If they think it's worth the cost, they may end up making a PC version eventually in any case. They did that for KotOR, so who knows.

And, for people wondering about or hoping for a Wii version: :S

Those videos are insane. However, I'm not moving from my position of, "this game will not only suck nuts, but look beatiful doing it."