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Force Unleashed unleashes 1.5 million copies

by Dustin Burg { Sep 24th 2008 at 2:30PM }

For all the controversy, mixed reviews and internal firings, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a sales success! According to Lucas Arts, Force Unleashed moved 1.5 million units worldwide in its first week of sales, making it the fastest selling Star Wars game ever. EVER! Though, one has to be sure to note that the 1.5 million number takes into account the game's sales on all platforms. We guess a decent demo can help a game's sales after all.

Force Unleashed demo breaks Marketplace record

by Dustin Burg { Sep 11th 2008 at 10:15AM }

Harnessing its force-like powers, Lucas Arts is gloating that the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed demo that released to the XBLM last month, broke a prestigious Marketplace record. Specifically, Lucas Arts claims that the Force Unleashed demo was downloaded 1 million times off the Marketplace in an eight day period, which would be a day quicker than the previous demo record holder Too Human. With demo downloads like that, The Force Unleashed should easily eclipse 5 million copies at retail ... HA!

Lucas unleashes Force Unleashed demo to XBLM

by Dustin Burg { Aug 21st 2008 at 10:15AM }

Today is the day our Star Wars: The Force Unleashed demo hopes and dreams finally come true. Because today is the day the 904MB Force Unleashed demo releases to the Xbox Live Marketplace for all to enjoy, that is if you're packing enough HDD space and are connected to Live. If both conditions are true for you then you'll be unleashing the force in the TIE Fighter Construction Facility in no time. Give the demo a download and share with us what your gut gaming reaction is.

Force Unleashed demo attacks the XBLM this week

by Dustin Burg { Aug 17th 2008 at 10:15AM }

Just as Lucas Arts promised us back in July, a new Star Wars: The Force Unleashed demo will be released to the Xbox Live Marketplace this week. More specifically, on the morning of Thursday, August 21st. Also as promised, the Force Unleashed demo will include a tutorial mode to master the Force Grip power and a complete level of gameplay set in a TIE Fighter Construction Facility where we're guessing a bunch of objects explode real good. May the force be with you (and also with you).

[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]

Force Unleashed demo unleashes to XBLM in Aug.

by Dustin Burg { Jul 27th 2008 at 6:00PM }

The possibility was discussed months ago and now forceunleashed.org has learned that Lucas Arts' own marketing manager Matt Shell has confirmed that a Star Wars: The Force Unleashed demo will be releasing to the Xbox Live Marketplace sometime next month. Interesting too is mention that the demo will feature a different experience than the game itself, with a remade Tie Fighter Construction Facility, extra force powers unlocked and a special conclusion to the level that isn't seen in the retail version. Force Unleashed, good or bad? We'll give you an answer next month.

[Thanks, Mads Klitgaard]

Star Wars Battlefront III appears on Amazon

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 9th 2008 at 6:30PM }

And, naturally, it was taken down. Thankfully, the internet is always there to catch the truth. However briefly, a listing for Star Wars Battlefront III was up on Amazon announcing that the game was coming to every platform under the sun including our beloved Xbox 360. Amazon was offering the game for pre-order with a release date of March 15, 2009. Something tells us that date is probably a placeholder.

With Battlefront series creators Pandemic currently hard at work on Lord of the Rings: Conquest for their new bosses at EA, the question remains as to who will develop the third installment of the series. Joystiq surmises that it will be UK studio Rebellion, which was responsible for Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron for the PSP. Assuming the 2009 release date is even close to accurate, it looks like we'll have quite a while to find out.

[Via Joystq]

Poke the Force with Lightsaber styli

by Candace Savino { Jul 2nd 2008 at 12:30PM }

We're often wooed by game-themed styli, but never has the Force been with a touchpen so much as with these mini Lightsabers. Releasing on July 31st, these official Nintendo and Lucas Arts styli are sure to sell like hotcakes (we can think of at least one game they'll go well with). Yet if you plan to buy them, you'll have a tough choice to make -- should you get the three small replicas for $7.99, or the two slightly bigger light-up sabers for $16.99? Choices, choices.

So far we've only seen these beauties available on Amazon through seller BD&A, but we're sure they'll hit other retailers as time passes. If you're too cheap to make the purchase, though, be sure to check out our guide for stylus alternatives.

[Thanks, Kimiko!]

Source: Nintendo DS Star Wars Light Up Lightsaber Stylus 2 Pack
Source: Nintendo DS Star Wars Lightsaber Stylus 3 Pack

LEGO Indiana Jones demo now on XBLM

by Dustin Burg { Jun 27th 2008 at 9:00AM }

Heading into the weekend, you'll have plenty of demo fun to participate in as Lucas Arts just released a new LEGO Indiana Jones demo to the Xbox Live Marketplace. You'll be pleased to know that the demo is available to all Xbox Live regions and clocks in at a worthy 620MB. Indeed. Not much more can be said about LEGO Indy other than the fact that it's LEGO based, moderately entertaining and (sadly) doesn't include any mention of Harrison Ford or Shia LaBeouf. What a wasted opportunity.

LEGO Indiana Jones achievements swing online

by Richard Mitchell { May 9th 2008 at 4:35PM }

Let's get the best part out of the way right now. Every single achievement in LEGO Indiana Jones is named after a line from the films. From the well-known "Why did it have to be snakes?" to "He chose... poorly," the lines run the gamut of all the films released thus far. There are a total of fifty achievements to earn, ranging in point values from 10 to 100 points. The single 100 point achievement is awarded for reaching a 100% completion level. If the LEGO Star Wars games were any indication, reaching 100% will take a significant time investment. Oh, and we hope you like secret achievements, because there are sixteen of them. Hit the "read" link to check out the list on 360Sync.

How to use the Wii remote in The Force Unleashed duel mode

by Ross Miller { May 5th 2008 at 4:25PM }

Oh boy, we're really worried now about the plethora of Wii-itis and other Wii-injuries stories coming in September. We've already written about our hands-on time with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for Wii, specifically the duel mode, but G4TV has a video of LucasArts producer Dan Wasson showing X-Play's Morgan Webb how to use the control scheme in duel mode.

To summarize: the game recognizes five different directions -- left, right, up, down and "stab" -- for different lightsaber strikes, while force powers are done with the nunchuk and can be combined for combos. We could easily see how this might get out of hand (literally) in heated multiplayer matches, what with someone getting strangled with the nunchuk wire and another hapless Wii remote sent through a big-screen TV. Help us, Wiimote Glove Kenobi, you're our only hope.

LEGO Indy website launches and a new trailer too

by Dustin Burg { May 1st 2008 at 4:45PM }

Heads up! LucasArts just launched the official LEGO Indiana Jones website and with it comes a brand new gameplay trailer as well. Whiptacular!

The official LEGO Indy website features your standard array of game screenshots, videos and community forums, but also boasts a lil' treasure hunt where you can use your newly discovered gems to "purchase" wallpapers, avatars and (our favorite) coloring sheets! The new trailer (embedded above) gives curious LEGO Indy fans a look at what's to come, including the occasional ride on a LEGO elephant and tons of whip usage. So much whip use that one has to wonder if whipping things can become an addiction. Whips Anonymous anyone?

Deal of the Day: LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga for $25

by Majed Athab { Mar 24th 2008 at 9:30AM }

Take a look at this deal: LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga for only 25 bucks. That's a savings of 50 percent on a story that spans over all six Star Wars films. Not bad, not bad at all. If you've been on the fence about getting this game, now might be a good time to pick it up. You can avail of this offer at LEGO's official website.

[Thanks James G., Via Fatwallet]

LEGO Indiana Jones slated for Summer release

by Dustin Burg { Mar 6th 2008 at 2:00PM }

UK retailer Play.com just let slip some release date details for the not so four player co-op LEGO: Indiana Jones. Simply put, the game should release sometime around June 6th.

LEGO: Indy's release date details were leaked via Play.com's recently announced Play.com Live event where, in their press release, revealed that LEGO: Indy would be playable at the event and that the game would be "on sale June 6th on all consoles". Using that nugget of knowledge, Eurogamer contacted Activision who refused to comment on the June release date, but they then confirmed with their "Top Secret Senior Games Industry Source" that the June release is indeed fact. So, even though it isn't the official word from Acti, one could expect to experience LEGO boulder running this June.

Rumor: Gladius 2 considered in the works

by Nick Doerr { Feb 28th 2008 at 4:30PM }

For those of you who remember, a game came out on PS2 that centered on the Roman Gladiators. Sure, there was a period where that kind of stuff was the hot thing, but this LucasArts title took a different approach to what was considered an "easy to make" action bloodbath title. We're referring to Gladius, the train-your-gladiator RPG that was a cult success -- that game might be getting a sequel.

Listed on one of the artist's website is a bunch of current titles in the works along with Gladius 2 -- something that hasn't been announced yet. So, take it however you want, but it's kind of hard not to imagine a fairly successful game not getting a sequel. It's the new hot thing, after all.

Fracture gets a few minor changes at CES

by Nick Doerr { Jan 8th 2008 at 10:30AM }

LucasArts' title Fracture seemed neat with terrain deformation mechanics, but some issues were raised that needed addressed: why does the main character look so bland? What happens if you run out of ammo? Some tweaks to the game have been made -- the character looks a bit different (but still a bit generic), and you've a weapon that lets you move the land without using ammo. But it's not as cool. There's a new weapon called the Black Widow that lets you shoot and detonate up to six charges whenever you want. A new stage set in San Francisco was shown, but really, just watch the new video and make your own call.