Star Wars 1313

[Alexrd]

LucasArts Drops Gamers into the Criminal Underworld with New Mature Themed Videogame Franchise, Star Wars 1313™

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif - May 31, 2012 - LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, announced today a new internally developed videogame franchise, Star Wars 1313™. The game will make its formal debut at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles June 5-7. As players take control of a lethal bounty hunter in a never-before-seen dark and mature world, Star Wars 1313 introduces an integrated development approach by bringing together great artists across the Lucasfilm organization, including LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm Animation Ltd. and Skywalker Sound. A third person cinematic action adventure game, Star Wars 1313 will bring to life the Coruscant underworld, the most dangerous place in the Star Wars™ galaxy.

Named for Level 1313, a ruthless criminal underground deep below the surface of the planet of Coruscant, the game puts players in control of a deadly bounty hunter as he uses an arsenal of exotic weaponry to hunt down his marks and uncover the truth surrounding a criminal conspiracy. Star Wars 1313 emphasizes epic set pieces and fast-paced combat with a hero who uses human skills and gadgets, rather than supernatural Force powers, to make his way through this dangerous world.

"We're excited to share one of the projects LucasArts has been hard at work developing," said Paul Meegan, President, LucasArts. "Star Wars 1313 dives into a part of the Star Wars mythos that we've always known existed, but never had a chance to visit. We are committed to bringing the best gameplay experience and visual fidelity to life and I truly believe the work we are showcasing at E3 will speak for itself."

Official Site

[Marius Fett]

Dare I say it...?

I actually have a feeling this game might turn out ok!

They seem to have a good idea, and another Bounty Hunter game is something i've been waiting for since... Well, since Bounty Hunter back in 2002!

If they go about this the right way, I think this could end up being a good, fun game!

[Alexrd]

The only aspect I'm disappointed with is the lack of space. It seems it will be all set on Coruscant.

[DarthParametric]

As I said in the other thread, I suspect this will tie in to the live action TV series, especially now that it has been revealed to be about bounty hunters which have long been rumoured as a major element of the TV series.

[Miltiades]

Yeah, could be, DP. Anyway, I'm always going to keep an eye out for a game where you get to play a Bounty Hunter. But damn, so many buzz words!

[Sabretooth]

Tbh, I've always wanted a game set in the Star Wars crime world, like Coruscant or Nar Shaddaa, so I'm cautiously optimistic with this. The third-person, platforming and "playable cinematic gameplay" wouldn't on my dream list of features, but at this point, anything coming from LucasArts that isn't **** is welcome.

Also, it's a cool title, I like it.

[Boba Rhett]

So basically the announcement last night was, "Yes, we're making a game. It's Star Wars and has people in it."

I'm still very worried and I want more info.


Tentative Predicted Game Score: 7.4

[Alkonium]

Pros
1. Odds are it'll be the first Star Wars (and Lucasarts) game to be rated M.
2. It seems to be set on one of my favourite planets.

Cons
1. I was expecting a retelling of Star Wars in a medieval fantasy setting.

[Alexrd]

Originally Posted by Boba Rhett

I'm still very worried and I want more info.

They'll show some gameplay on Monday thanks to E3.

[JediAthos]

Looking forward to seeing what they show at E3...I'm trying to be optimistic even if it is difficult to do so with LucasArts right now.

[adamqd]

Looks promising

[Red Hessian]

A mature themed Star Wars game from LucasArts? Am I seeing this right?

Guess we'll have to wait 'til E3 for more details.

[Alexrd]

I've made the picture clickable for a bigger one. It makes a nice wallpaper.

[JesusIsGonnaOwnSatan]

Originally Posted by Alexrd

Star Wars 1313™

dark and mature

third person cinematic action

I'm liking the sound of this.

Though I wonder if this is just going to be Assassin's Creed: Star Wars Edition. Or possibly Uncharted..

Relevant: First look at 1313 in GameTrailers' Preliminary E3 shenanigans

[adamqd]

Dare I say Star Wars: Mass Effect? it looks RPG'y...

[Prime]

After the recent record of games, this at least looks like a different direction, and a good one.

I think I am excited.

[igyman]

Could be interesting, but it could also be crap. That said, I am looking forward to seeing the announced gameplay footage.

[Obi-Wan Bologna]

This will be great if done correctly, very much looking forward to this one!

[Boba Rhett]

So, if done correctly, this sounds like it would be a bit like GoW in the Star Wars universe.

[Samnmax221]

Watch the protagonist turn out to be a Jedi, and be pulling the strings on some very important central plot points. That's what I'm going with until demonstrated otherwise.

[Alexrd]

Originally Posted by Samnmax221

Watch the protagonist turn out to be a Jedi, and be pulling the strings on some very important central plot points. That's what I'm going with until demonstrated otherwise.

They've already said otherwise:

Star Wars 1313 emphasizes epic set pieces and fast-paced combat with a hero who uses human skills and gadgets, rather than supernatural Force powers, to make his way through this dangerous world.

[Samnmax221]

Originally Posted by Alexrd

They've already said otherwise:

They say a lot of things, the revolving door Lucasarts management aren't the brightest bunch.

[Ctrl Alt Del]

Originally Posted by Alkonium

Pros
1. Odds are it'll be the first Star Wars (and Lucasarts) game to be rated M.

!!!!!!!!

A new direction to the franchise? Mature themes and storyline?!

One can only hope!

It's being internally developed so, for me, this cast a shadow of doubt. Still, ILM and Skywalker Sound on it might guarantee exceptional cutscenes and outstanding sound effects.

Well, I won't jynx this: it's the first SW title I've been really excited for in years! I hope it doesn't get screwed down the development path, I really do. I'll follow this closely.

PS: so the image below is Coruscant. Heh, from a quick glance it looked like an Imperial-subdued Utapau.

[Samnmax221]

Or this might involve Mando fellating. I sure hope Karen Traviss' ego is still bruised and she doesn't have anything to do with this.

[beanlord56]

Originally Posted by Samnmax221

Or this might involve Mando fellating. I sure hope Karen Traviss' ego is still bruised and she doesn't have anything to do with this.

She shouldn't. After she ragequit, I believe she said she never wanted to do anything Star Wars related again.

[Lynk Former]

I like how everyone is equating this game to other games XD

I personally equate it to Dead Space without the monsters and such... but we do have dark industrial areas, over-the-shoulder gameplay, platforming which I'm assuming will be light with more of a shooter element to it. They've said it'll have the cinematic elements throughout the gameplay and they're aiming to have players not know the difference between a cutscene and gameplay... which is pretty much exactly what Dead Space 2 pulled off pretty well.

[Ctrl Alt Del]

Hmm, almost all of the cinematic action beside shooting and running was done through QTEs on DS2. Which is fine, I'm not sure the game would go well along with wall-running and pulling other stunts.

Which may happen on 1313. That's the difference I see between those games.

[Canderis]

shooter or RPG I wonder... Or neither....?

[Boba Rhett]

Maybe it'll be a Kinect enabled game and you'll have to dance your way out of trouble. So...a dancer, maybe?

[Q]

Won't get my hopes up, but this looks interesting.

[Lynk Former]

Originally Posted by Ctrl Alt Del

Hmm, almost all of the cinematic action beside shooting and running was done through QTEs on DS2. Which is fine, I'm not sure the game would go well along with wall-running and pulling other stunts.

Which may happen on 1313. That's the difference I see between those games.

There were actually very fewQTE's in DS2 and when they happened it wasn't during the most cinematic elements of the game... when I mean cinematic elements, I'm talking about parts of the game where the camera wasn't locked over-the-shoulder and really threw you around.

[Sabretooth]

Originally Posted by JesusIsGonnaOwnSatan

Relevant: First look at 1313 in GameTrailers' Preliminary E3 shenanigans

Interessant. I dig the idea of full-body motion capture, but I wonder if it'll be anything like L.A. Noire. Also, the part where they mention that players won't know if its gameplay or a cutscene, because it'll be seamlessly blended.

IIRC, LucasArts was the first video game developer to use cinematic cutscenes in video games with Maniac Mansion.

I'm just hoping there's going to be appropriate allotments of chest-high walls to all Coruscant residents by the time it comes out.

[adamqd]

Originally Posted by Sabretooth

I wonder if it'll be anything like L.A. Noire.

I hope not, my disappointment with that game shortened my life by several years.

[Sabretooth]

Originally Posted by adamqd

I hope not, my disappointment with that game shortened my life by several years.

I was talking about the mo-cap.

[Alexrd]

Originally Posted by Canderis

shooter or RPG I wonder... Or neither....?

I'd say neither. They are categorizing it as a third-person action adventure game.

[DarthParametric]

Originally Posted by Sabretooth

they mention that players won't know if its gameplay or a cutscene

The part where the player loses all control/input could be a minor clue. The only way it could be "seamless" is if the game is essentially one long cutscene with the occasional QTE. Would not surprise me in the least if LA put out a game like that.

[Alexrd]

Originally Posted by Star Wars 1313 Fact Sheet

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.

That explains the use of the Unreal engine.

[Lynk Former]

Originally Posted by DarthParametric

The part where the player loses all control/input could be a minor clue. The only way it could be "seamless" is if the game is essentially one long cutscene with the occasional QTE. Would not surprise me in the least if LA put out a game like that.

I know I keep referring to it, but it's the best example in my mind of what they could be talking about... but Dead Space 2 did this constantly, not just with action but with your interaction with other characters. It would seamlessly go from the standard in-control over-the-shoulder view and then fluidly switch to a more cinematic character dialogue scene.

Plus it doesn't have to be big over the top cutscenes, it could spawn more subtle moments like entering a new area and then suddenly you see an Imperial shuttle crash land into the side of this huge chasm leading down into the depths of Coruscant, all the camera has to do is still be positioned behind the player but quickly point up and to the left or right or whatever to catch this event happening.

I mean, I can understand the fear that people have about gameplay + cutscenes = quick time events... but I've seen plenty of examples of games moving away from this in interesting ways.

But yeah... all of these techniques are used heavily in Dead Space 2...

[Astor]

Not what I expected, but it looks, and sounds interesting so far.

[DarthParametric]

If it changes perspective and takes away player control, it's not seamless. Half-Life 2 is the only game I know that does anything like what they are talking about, because it doesn't actually have cutscenes, it just gates you into an area where some stuff is going on. You're free to wander around ignoring it as you please though. The dreaded "cinematic" buzzword implies the exact opposite of that sort of approach.