LucasArts today announced that its highly anticipated video game STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED will be released on September 16, 2008 in the United States, September 17 in Southeast Asia and Australia, and September 19 in Europe.
An entirely new chapter in the STAR WARS saga, STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED casts players as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice" and promises to unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy.
The game's expansive story is set during the largely unexplored era between STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH and STAR WARS: EPISODE IV A NEW HOPE. In it, players will assist Vader in his quest to rid the universe of Jedi -- and face decisions that could change the course of their destiny.
"STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED is one of the most ambitious projects LucasArts has ever launched. The combination of a great new STAR WARS story with revolutionary new technology and game play means more fun than you've ever had in the STAR WARS universe," said Peter Hirschmann, Vice-President of Product Development, LucasArts. "We can't wait until gamers get their hands on it this September."
LucasArts and Spike TV are teaming up together to unveil new details about and exclusive footage from STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED in celebration ofSpike TV's airing of all six Star Wars movies.
Reflecting its status as an exciting new part of the STAR WARS saga, STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED will be featured throughout Spike TV's weekend events.
Viewers will see special STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED segments, each with an exclusive announcement or new game play footage on Spike TV:
--April 6 at 7:58 p.m. ET/PT -- between the premiere of STAR WARS: EPISODE II ATTACK OF THE CLONES and STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH
--April 11 at 10:52 p.m. ET/PT -- At the end of STAR WARS: EPISODE IV A NEW HOPE
--April 12 at 12:00 a.m. ET/PT -- throughout an episode of GAMETRAILERS TV with Geoff Keighley filmed at LucasArts' headquarters in San Francisco
--April 12 at 5:06 p.m. ET/PT -- before STAR WARS: EPISODE IV A NEW HOPE
--April 13 at 5:06 p.m. ET/PT -- before STAR WARS: EPISODE V THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
"With the airing of all six STAR WARS movies and a first-hand look at STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED, we're confident that April will be a memorable month for Star Wars fans," said Robert Friedman, Senior VP of Programming, Spike TV. "Our dedication to entertainment and video games makes our relationship with LucasArts an exciting opportunity to take part first-hand in Star Wars history as well as give our viewers an insider's look at the future of the franchise."
STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED is the first next-generation game developed internally at LucasArts, and will be available on the Xbox 360 video game and PlayStation 3.
As its name implies, STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED completely re-imagines the scope and scale of the Force by taking full advantage of newly developed technologies that will be seen and experienced for the first time together: Digital Molecular Matter, by Pixelux Entertainment, and euphoria by NaturalMotion.
LucasArts and developer Krome Studios are creating an equally enthralling version of STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED on Wii, PlayStation 2 and PSP; and n-Space, is developing a version for Nintendo DS. All will feature the same storyline, with opportunities to unleash the Force in devastating new ways.
Working with Lucas Licensing, LucasArts is preparing an unprecedented promotional effort around the launch of STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED, encompassing a full line of toys and game-based action figures from Hasbro, as well as a full publishing program from Dark Horse, Del Rey, Prima Games, and Palace Press.
More information about the game can be found at the official website, which will continue to release details throughout the year.
