T-bone
05-11-2004, 02:01 PM
LucasArts Focusing Its Force at the 2004 Electronic Entertainment Expo
Tuesday May 11, 12:44 pm ET
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2004--LucasArts, the interactive entertainment division of Lucasfilm Ltd., today announced that it will showcase five new, highly anticipated computer and video game titles at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) this week in Los Angeles. Tapping into the extensive creative synergies within Lucasfilm, LucasArts will focus its force on delivering innovative and unparalleled interactive Star Wars® experiences that are tied to major film events in 2004. The company will also continue its commitment to introducing exciting and original game titles with the debut of Mercenaries™, an explosive new action-shooter set in massive, open-ended environments.
"This is an important year for LucasArts and an exciting one for consumers," said Jim Ward, newly appointed president of LucasArts. "With the growing convergence of Hollywood and gaming, we're uniquely positioned with the Star Wars franchise to deliver unmatched, integrated experiences that blur the lines between the cinema and living room. Working closely with Lucasfilm, we look forward to taking Star Wars to the next level across all mediums."
Star Wars Franchise Sets Bar for Film and Game Convergence
LucasArts will launch Star Wars Battlefront™ day-and-date with the release of the Star Wars Trilogy DVD on September 21, 2004, allowing consumers to watch the classic movies then power up the PC or game console, extending the experience through the game.
Additionally, LucasArts will ship Star Wars Republic Commando™ in conjunction with the release of Star Wars: Episode III movie trailers this fall. Star Wars Republic Commando is a squad-based first-person shooter set during the Clone War era, between Attack of the Clones and Episode III.
The company will also release Star Wars Galaxies®: Jump to Lightspeed™, an expansion pack to the critically acclaimed massively multiplayer online persistent Star Wars universe that is set between Episodes IV and V.
In addition to games tied to film events, LucasArts will debut Star Wars® Knights of the Old Republic® II: The Sith Lords™, the sequel to last year's award-winning role-playing game set in the unique timeframe of the Old Republic, 4,000 years before the movies.
Building on the commitment to expand its portfolio, LucasArts will also unveil Mercenaries™, a virtual playground of destruction that delivers the next level of free-form gameplay in massive interactive environments.
LucasArts E3 Lineup - Titles At-a-Glance
Star Wars Battlefront: An action/shooter game that gives fans and gamers the opportunity to re-live and participate in all of the classic Star Wars battles like never before. Players can select one of a number of different soldier types, jump into any vehicle, man any turret on the battlefront and conquer the galaxy planet by planet online with their friends or offline in a variety of single player modes. Battles are set up in more than 15 environments across 10 diverse planets, such as Hoth, Endor and Tatooine, in addition to memorable Clone Wars locations like Kamino and Geonosis. Star Wars Battlefront will be released for the PlayStation2, Xbox and PC on September 21, 2004, day-and-date with the release of the Star Wars Trilogy DVD set.
Star Wars Republic Commando: A squad-based first-person shooter that lets players explore the elite world of the Star Wars military. Leading a three-man squad of Republic commandos, players embark on a variety of missions that go deep behind enemy lines in more than 14 intense and challenging levels, spanning three unique campaigns. As a Republic commando, you will have more than a dozen deadly weapons at your disposal, including the game's ultimate weapon -- your squad itself. The innovative "One-Touch Squad Control" system lets players command orders to their squad with the touch of a button. Star Wars Republic Commando will be released in Fall 2004 for the Xbox and PC.
Star Wars Galaxies: Jump To Lightspeed: The struggle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance extends into space with Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed, the first expansion pack for the award-winning Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing game set in the Star Wars universe. Positioned in the Star Wars timeframe between Episode IV and Episode V, this first extension opens 10 vast and distinct space sectors, spanning from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim, for players to explore while engaging their opponents in intense real-time combat or uniting with friends in battle or exploration. Players can embark on more than 100 new missions, venturing through asteroid fields, nebulae and space junkyards while honing skills in four new space-specific professions. Star Wars Galaxies: Jump To Lightspeed will be released in Fall 2004 for the PC.
Mercenaries: A revolutionary third-person combat-action game that places gamers in a virtual playground of destruction and delivers the next level of free-form gameplay in massive interactive environments. The game gives players the opportunity to take on the role of a soldier for hire in an open-ended world, letting players choose to be one of three mercenaries: an American ex-soldier, a British secret agent or a Swedish bounty hunter. Each playable character has unique strengths and weaknesses that affect gameplay. The nonstop action within Mercenaries is heightened by the integration of the Havok physics engine, making everything within the environment act and react as it would in real life. LucasArts will deploy Mercenaries in Winter 2005 for the PlayStation2 and Xbox.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Beginning approximately five years after the events of the first KOTOR™, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords takes players on an entirely new journey as they assume the role of what is believed to be the last Jedi in the galaxy. The game features a cast of memorable returning characters and sinister new villains. Using more than 30 new Force powers, players can turn weak-minded enemies against one another in combat with "Force confusion" or see through doors and view character alignment with "Force sight." Assigned to protect the Old Republic and the Jedi Order from the terrifying Dark Lords of the Sith, players must explore and battle through seven diverse worlds while being challenged whether to choose the light side of the Force or surrender to the lure of the dark side. The Sith Lords will be released for the Xbox and PC in Winter 2005.
LucasArts will be showcasing its product lineup in Suite 153A/Concourse Hall in the Staples Convention Center by appointment only on May 12-13. The suite will be open to all show attendees on May 14 beginning at 12:30 p.m.
LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems and PC. Based in Marin County, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multi-faceted entertainment company.
About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual-effects and audio post-production, and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses. Lucasfilm's motion-picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 53 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in Marin County, Calif.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
LucasArts
Jason Andersen, 415-444-8489
jandersen@lucasarts.com
Tuesday May 11, 12:44 pm ET
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2004--LucasArts, the interactive entertainment division of Lucasfilm Ltd., today announced that it will showcase five new, highly anticipated computer and video game titles at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) this week in Los Angeles. Tapping into the extensive creative synergies within Lucasfilm, LucasArts will focus its force on delivering innovative and unparalleled interactive Star Wars® experiences that are tied to major film events in 2004. The company will also continue its commitment to introducing exciting and original game titles with the debut of Mercenaries™, an explosive new action-shooter set in massive, open-ended environments.
"This is an important year for LucasArts and an exciting one for consumers," said Jim Ward, newly appointed president of LucasArts. "With the growing convergence of Hollywood and gaming, we're uniquely positioned with the Star Wars franchise to deliver unmatched, integrated experiences that blur the lines between the cinema and living room. Working closely with Lucasfilm, we look forward to taking Star Wars to the next level across all mediums."
Star Wars Franchise Sets Bar for Film and Game Convergence
LucasArts will launch Star Wars Battlefront™ day-and-date with the release of the Star Wars Trilogy DVD on September 21, 2004, allowing consumers to watch the classic movies then power up the PC or game console, extending the experience through the game.
Additionally, LucasArts will ship Star Wars Republic Commando™ in conjunction with the release of Star Wars: Episode III movie trailers this fall. Star Wars Republic Commando is a squad-based first-person shooter set during the Clone War era, between Attack of the Clones and Episode III.
The company will also release Star Wars Galaxies®: Jump to Lightspeed™, an expansion pack to the critically acclaimed massively multiplayer online persistent Star Wars universe that is set between Episodes IV and V.
In addition to games tied to film events, LucasArts will debut Star Wars® Knights of the Old Republic® II: The Sith Lords™, the sequel to last year's award-winning role-playing game set in the unique timeframe of the Old Republic, 4,000 years before the movies.
Building on the commitment to expand its portfolio, LucasArts will also unveil Mercenaries™, a virtual playground of destruction that delivers the next level of free-form gameplay in massive interactive environments.
LucasArts E3 Lineup - Titles At-a-Glance
Star Wars Battlefront: An action/shooter game that gives fans and gamers the opportunity to re-live and participate in all of the classic Star Wars battles like never before. Players can select one of a number of different soldier types, jump into any vehicle, man any turret on the battlefront and conquer the galaxy planet by planet online with their friends or offline in a variety of single player modes. Battles are set up in more than 15 environments across 10 diverse planets, such as Hoth, Endor and Tatooine, in addition to memorable Clone Wars locations like Kamino and Geonosis. Star Wars Battlefront will be released for the PlayStation2, Xbox and PC on September 21, 2004, day-and-date with the release of the Star Wars Trilogy DVD set.
Star Wars Republic Commando: A squad-based first-person shooter that lets players explore the elite world of the Star Wars military. Leading a three-man squad of Republic commandos, players embark on a variety of missions that go deep behind enemy lines in more than 14 intense and challenging levels, spanning three unique campaigns. As a Republic commando, you will have more than a dozen deadly weapons at your disposal, including the game's ultimate weapon -- your squad itself. The innovative "One-Touch Squad Control" system lets players command orders to their squad with the touch of a button. Star Wars Republic Commando will be released in Fall 2004 for the Xbox and PC.
Star Wars Galaxies: Jump To Lightspeed: The struggle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance extends into space with Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed, the first expansion pack for the award-winning Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing game set in the Star Wars universe. Positioned in the Star Wars timeframe between Episode IV and Episode V, this first extension opens 10 vast and distinct space sectors, spanning from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim, for players to explore while engaging their opponents in intense real-time combat or uniting with friends in battle or exploration. Players can embark on more than 100 new missions, venturing through asteroid fields, nebulae and space junkyards while honing skills in four new space-specific professions. Star Wars Galaxies: Jump To Lightspeed will be released in Fall 2004 for the PC.
Mercenaries: A revolutionary third-person combat-action game that places gamers in a virtual playground of destruction and delivers the next level of free-form gameplay in massive interactive environments. The game gives players the opportunity to take on the role of a soldier for hire in an open-ended world, letting players choose to be one of three mercenaries: an American ex-soldier, a British secret agent or a Swedish bounty hunter. Each playable character has unique strengths and weaknesses that affect gameplay. The nonstop action within Mercenaries is heightened by the integration of the Havok physics engine, making everything within the environment act and react as it would in real life. LucasArts will deploy Mercenaries in Winter 2005 for the PlayStation2 and Xbox.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Beginning approximately five years after the events of the first KOTOR™, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords takes players on an entirely new journey as they assume the role of what is believed to be the last Jedi in the galaxy. The game features a cast of memorable returning characters and sinister new villains. Using more than 30 new Force powers, players can turn weak-minded enemies against one another in combat with "Force confusion" or see through doors and view character alignment with "Force sight." Assigned to protect the Old Republic and the Jedi Order from the terrifying Dark Lords of the Sith, players must explore and battle through seven diverse worlds while being challenged whether to choose the light side of the Force or surrender to the lure of the dark side. The Sith Lords will be released for the Xbox and PC in Winter 2005.
LucasArts will be showcasing its product lineup in Suite 153A/Concourse Hall in the Staples Convention Center by appointment only on May 12-13. The suite will be open to all show attendees on May 14 beginning at 12:30 p.m.
LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems and PC. Based in Marin County, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multi-faceted entertainment company.
About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual-effects and audio post-production, and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses. Lucasfilm's motion-picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 53 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in Marin County, Calif.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
LucasArts
Jason Andersen, 415-444-8489
jandersen@lucasarts.com