E3 2012 – Geekscape Previews Star Wars: 1313!
There’s been a lot of recent buzz and hype regarding Lucasart’s newest addition to the already long line Star Wars video games. Much of the buzz is being generated by the graphical power Star Wars: 1313 is showing off. Now, to better understand how much graphical power this game is giving, look it at this way:
The above screenshot is running off a pre-alpha build. That’s right. The fine men and women hard are hard at work in the early production stages of Star Wars 1313.
Perhaps the most exciting piece of information released by LucasArts at E3 2012 was the list of departments working on this title. All departments of Lucasfilm have, or are going to have their hand in crafting 1313. Behind closed doors, I was able to see a short, but very sweet behind the scenes video featuring employees from Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound and Lucasfilm Animation Ltd. Their enthusiasm and talent make 1313 a stand out among past Star Wars video games. If there’s anything gamers should know coming out of the behind the closed doors presentation, it’s the creators’ mantra:
“We never want to see anything in a cutscene that we wouldn’t want to play.“
1313 be a third person shooter of sorts, with some extreme platforming mixed in. Finding the perfect balance should deliver a great cinematic gaming experience.
For those of you who haven’t read up on it yet, 1313 puts you in the role of a bounty hunter who starts to unravel the inner-workings of the criminal underworld located on level 1313 of the planet Coruscant. The official press release is as follows:
Calling all Bounty Hunters! Star Wars 1313 ™ is a brand new mature videogame franchise set in a never-before-seen world, the most dangerous place in the Star Wars ™ galaxy. Level 1313 is a dark, vast subterranean metropolis beneath the surface of the planet Coruscant where the criminal underworld thrives. A third person action adventure game, players will take on the role of a lethal bounty hunter navigating through this ruthless world in a high-octane thrill ride.
Star Wars 1313 will feature epic action adventure game play including exotic weaponry and gadgets that bounty hunters depend on for survival. In addition, the game will feature a combination of agile cover-based combat, epic platforming and seamless playable cinematic game play. Players will experience awe-inspiring and action-packed cinematic sequences, constantly staying engaged through the threat, pressure and tension of this criminal underworld.
In a fully integrated game development approach, LucasArts is bringing in top artistic and technical talent from all parts of the Lucasfilm organization, including Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound and Lucasfilm Animation Ltd. Through shared tools and technologies while using the Unreal engine as a foundation, the teams are able to create a more emotional and visceral connection between the game and the player. With cutting edge full body performance capture, high-end Hollywood visual effects techniques and leveraging Lucasfilm talent across the board, Star Wars 1313 promises to deliver a completely immersive experience set in a brand new mature Star Wars world.
The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when it is first commercially released. This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and Lucasfilm makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the fact sheet or the information contained in it.
LucasArts, the LucasArts logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks in the United States and/or in other countries of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © 2012 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
It is unclear as to when exactly 1313 takes place in the Star Wars universe. One of the things I found most interesting about 1313 was the repeated use of the word franchise. It looks like we’ll be able to look forward to sequels. 1313‘s release date has not been announced. In fact, I was told that the character we’ve grown used to over the course of a couple of days is a placeholder. We’ll get an introduction as to who the character is, and hopefully soon.
Check out some more shots from the game:
