Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Star Wars lightsaber action coming to Wii, as predicted



LucasArts have announced a Wii version of ´Star Wars: The Force Unleashed´ which will offer "owners the unique chance to live out their Jedi fantasies by wielding the Wii Remote™ as a lightsaber while using the Nunchuk™ controller to torment foes with their Force™ powers."

The Wii version, in development by Krome Studios, will also add an exclusive duel mode in which players can compete head-to-head with their friends to determine the ultimate Jedi Master.

"The Wii is a great platform for The Force Unleashed, because the console's motion-oriented controllers really bring the game to life," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts. "We've worked hard to make the Wii version of the game unique in order to truly let you unleash the Force." (...)

LucasArts and developer Krome Studios are creating an equally enthralling version of The Force Unleashed on the Wii, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and n-Space, Inc., is developing a version for the Nintendo DS™. All will feature the same storyline, with opportunities to unleash the Force in devastating new ways.

Australian developer Krome Studios is responsible for the ´TY the Tasmanian Tiger™´ series and are currently busy with ´The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night´ for Wii and ´Viva Pinata: Party Animals´ for Xbox360.



Finally, we have confirmation of the game I exclusively revealed, way back in May 2006. I was only wrong about the timing, believing Nintendo would show a teaser trailer there and then. That was my interpretation, though. The information I got from my source was entirely accurate.

EDIT I realise that there is some discussion whether my exclusive information really matches ´The Force Unleashed´. I admit that I never knew a great deal of detail about the game. So, to make sure, here is a chronology of what I said and when:



"There will be a star wars exclusive for wii, i just learned, light sabers and all. it will be revealed tuesday." 8th of May 2006



"My informant regarding the star wars game is a very senior industry insider that is not affiliated with a specific developer or publisher. he believed that nintendo will steal the show." 8th of May 2006



"I am a bit disappointed that lucasarts were unable to show their exclusive star wars game for wii at the show, featuring hot lightsaber action. apparently, you will have to wait until e3 2007 for that one. nothing has been officially announced, but remeber where you heard it first. but even without it, i am very confident that the wii launch will be one of the most spectacular launches in console history." 13th of May 2006



"Noone has ever denied the game. At E3, I have had a frank (and off-the-record) discussion with a very senior executive at LucasArts and he told me that they will show the game at E3 2007. Don´t forget: my original informer is a very senior figure in the industry. It´s a shame the title wasn´t shown this year. But my information is 100% accurate. Remember where you heard it first, people." 25th of May 2006



"I only received exclusive and confidential information that this game was in development (that was in May). It was my own assumption that it would be shown (with everyone associating the Wiimote with Star Wars). (...)

I know this: There is a Star Wars game in development for Wii that focusses on lightsaber action. I have no idea when it will be shown or when it will be ready."
5th of August 2006



"I have spoken to a reliable source about the Wii-exclusive Star Wars game I learnt about last year. This source has seriously questioned whether LucasArts would consider exclusives at all with their current titles being strictly multi-platform. The person I spoke to also questioned my original source. To me, though, such a game would make perfect sense, business-wise, since pretty much every Wii owner would gobble it up." 25th of August 2007




Also, bear in mind that while I may have been lucky enough to be the first journalist to know about the game (certainly the first to make it public), other media outlets soon followed suit. IGN confirmed that LucasArts was ´looking into it´ only days after I revealed the game and, finally, in May this year, French news agency AFP removed the last doubts anyone of you may have had.



"During a technical demonstration for an unnamed Xbox 360 and PS3 Star Wars title, LucasArts made note to announce high interest in creating a Wii title in the Star Wars universe, with lightsaber battles in mind." IGN, 11th of May 2006



"The head of the LucasArts, the game division for "Star Wars" series creator George Lucas, told AFP a Wii game that lets players wield virtual light sabers is on the horizon." AFP, 27th of May 2007




So, there you have it. I readily admit that I never knew much. But I knew that a ´Star Wars´ game featuring hot lightsaber action was either in pre-production or development by early May 2006. And it seems obvious that this game was ´Star Wars: The Force Unleashed´.

I was wrong about the entire game being a proper exclusive. But, again, there are almost no straight ports to Wii and this one features ´an exclusive duel mode´.

Source: LucasArts
Thanks to: Product_Number_18, CVG

18 comments:

Jason said...

Anybody else concerned about the developer doing the game? Last I saw Ty and Spyro are not very good games.

Anonymous said...

Well your original post said it was going to be a Wii exclusive. This isn't a wii exclusive at all.

Falafelkid said...

Hi Anonymous.

Well your original post said it was going to be a Wii exclusive. This isn't a wii exclusive at all.

True, I did say exclusive. However, that was more interpretation on my part. My original source only told me that there would be lightsaber action on Wii.

And bear in mind that with the console´s quirky controls, there is no way of doing a straight port. Almost every Wii game has exclusive components in some way. I do admit, though, that I interpreted my source wrongly. You´re right there.

Metaldave said...

Didn't you also say in a totally separate post that the game was NOT The Force Unleashed but a totally new Star Wars game for Wii? Or did you never really know what the game would be about or named other than having Light Sabers?

I just wanted to be clear on that.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

who cares pro evo wii confirmed and early screen shots are out its looking like theres some great wiimote controls going on

Arafat Medini said...

Well I am aorry Falafel but I disagree with you..
This game is a Multiplatformer with a "Wii option" I would call it..
So very far from your prediction..
If I am right you predicted a Wii Star wars game around a Lightsaber i.e. with the Lightsaber portion the central part..

So to be a little bit harsh, instead of saying now for some time " I I I.." you should be more carefull with your comments ;)

Falafelkid said...

Hi Bronzecat.

This game is a Multiplatformer with a "Wii option" I would call it..
So very far from your prediction..
If I am right you predicted a Wii Star wars game around a Lightsaber i.e. with the Lightsaber portion the central part..


Hi Metaldave.

Didn't you also say in a totally separate post that the game was NOT The Force Unleashed but a totally new Star Wars game for Wii? Or did you never really know what the game would be about or named other than having Light Sabers?

I never said it wasn´t ´Force Unleashed´. And no, I never knew a great deal of detail about the game. To make sure, I updated the post with a chronology of what I said and when.

Anonymous said...

I think the game that Falafel said it wasn't was Lego Star Wars: The Complete Sage, which is also coming to the Wii. I remember, because I asked him if that was the lightsaber game in question! ^_^

Hmmm... your information does suggest that despite only announcing this recently, the Wii version of the Star Wars game started dev much sooner.

One of the fears of Wii fanboys is that this port of Force unleashed is being handled by an OUTSIDE developer (Krome studios) who are also handling the PS2 and PSP ports of the game. LucasArts is handling the XBox 360 and PS3 games internally.

And with this game set for release next Spring, I wonder whether Krome studios will have had enough time to successfully port this game and pull off the Wii-specific features....

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Falafelkid said...

Hi Carmine.

your information does suggest that despite only announcing this recently, the Wii version of the Star Wars game started dev much sooner.

Yup. Typically, games take a development time of around two years. So with this one scheduled for release in early 2008, the studio must have started around E3 2006.

Regarding Krome Studios, they do have some experience under their belly. Founded in 1999, they have just finished ´Hellboy´ for PS3 and 360, to be published by Konami. Take a look at the title here. You´ll find that it looks decent.

Anonymous said...

its a ps2 port with tacked on wiiness controls this far into wiis life no one should be using a dam ps2 engine

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but i don't have much faith in the quality of this studio (Krome). Just take a look at their track record:
http://www.kromestudios.com/games/index.php

Anonymous said...

@ superuser

That's just unfair to be prejudiced against a developer on the types of properties they worked on before. Often times small developers are trying to get started up and get enough money to keep running a game company... this usually means working on a ton of kid friendly properties too.

For example, let's not forget that Naughty Dog got famous with Crash Bandicoot

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naughty_Dog#Games

Now they're releasing the brilliant-looking Uncharted: Drake's Fortune on this fall for the PS3.

And Insomniac Games? They INVENTED Spyro the dragon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insomniac_Games#Games

They also released Resistance Fall of Man for the PS3, and their Rachet & Clank is considered a big blockbuster this fall.

Just because a developer has worked on licensed ports, or kid-friendly titles like Spyro doesn't mean that they should be treated like dirt.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Anonymous said...

@cai
So bc they developed Spyro and a bunch of kid friendly stuff i should have high hopes for a high quality port (probably from the PS2 engine) with great controls on the Wii? And i don't think that i treat them like dirt, but i've learned long ago that there is no Santa Claus, so i'm a bit sceptic...
;-)

Anonymous said...

@superuser

Wha..wha...WHHAAAAATTTTTT?!?!?!?!

No... No SANTA?

/runs away crying

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Why on Earth would a developer make a Lightsaber game which requires use of the NUNCHUKU? Last I checked, the operation of the Lightsaber in combat requires two freaking hands.

Unknown said...

"Where does he get those wonderful toys?" - The Joker in Batman
These Nintendo Wii guys are unbelievably great. We hear about Apple is so innovative...they are. But please someone needs to throw Nintendo a bone. They have created something amazing with this Wii. This game console is simply fun. more
Now all the Jedi masters can go crazy on the Wii...good for them.

Anonymous said...

Never heard about krome studios... but i think the game will be fun. Nintendo wii in my opinion is one of the best consoles. I have a ps3 and a wii, i do play more nintendo wii... that's why i made my own blog in portuguese language wii

Anonymous said...

That was D3 Goldmy interpretation, though. The information I got from my source was entirelyBuy GW2 Gold accurate.