NeoGAF

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=14500

As part of the final Hollywood & Games Summit panel in Los Angeles, LucasArts' Jim Ward has been discussing the oft-raised question of a lightsaber game for Nintendo's Wii, saying that the company has internal prototypes running using the Wiimote.

In response to a question from session moderator N'Gai Croal of Newsweek asking: "What would it take to make a lightsaber game for the Wii?", Ward, who is President of LucasArts and a Senior VP at Lucasfilm, commented:

"We’re all over that, and internally we have already played a lightsaber game on the Wii. It’s a lot of fun, and we’ll get there."

He added that the whole concept of a title using a lightsaber of Nintendo Wii was "...in place! There’ll be some stuff out this Fall - it’s going to be a lot of fun."

It's unclear whether Ward could have been referring to the TT Games-developed Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, which will debut later this year on multiple formats including the Wii, or whether the company is planning further, as yet unannounced Wii-specific Star Wars games.

(The product page for The Complete Saga notes of the Wii SKU: "Motion-sensitive inputs give you exciting new ways to control your Lego Star Wars characters.")

The publisher is likely to reveal more information on its upcoming titles at the E3 Media Summit in Los Angeles early next month - Gamasutra will have the full write-up from the Jim Ward (LucasArts) and Neil Young (Electronic Arts) panel at Hollywood and Games in the near future.


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E3 can't come soon enough. I bet it's nothing more than Lego Star Wars but let the speculations begin.

LIGHTSABERTON

i get worried when people start talking about how "fun" their wii games are. that means nothing at this point

splooge

CURSE YOU E3 AND YOUR RETAINED RELEVANCE TO MY GAMING!

pretty sure awhile back lucasarts confirmed they had an additional unnannounced project for the wii in development aside from the lego game.

If they just figure out a way to make pong with swords it should be pretty easy. Then put it online. Make billions.

doesn't sound like they're putting much effort into it, nothing like the force unleached anyways -_- sounds like a port (with lightsaber controls) or a lightsaber minigame...

Originally Posted by mellowbob

doesn't sound like they're putting much effort into it, nothing like the force unleached anyways -_- sounds like a port (with lightsaber controls) or a lightsaber minigame...

Yes Thats Exactly What it sounds like

Originally Posted by mellowbob

doesn't sound like they're putting much effort into it, nothing like the force unleached anyways -_- sounds like a port (with lightsaber controls) or a lightsaber minigame...

I think I missed that part of the interview. Please demonstrate to GAF how you came to that conclusion.

ZOMG JEDI KNIGHT IV REVEALED FOR WII

Please for the love of god come out with a new one, I'll buy it for ANYTHING

But yeah, E3 better have some shit about this.

This would be more exciting if Lucasarts was only publishing the game and not making it themselves. They can find great talent to publish but cant seem to hire any for their own studios.

a good lightsaber game would be awesome, but im skeptical lucas arts will put any effort into making a good game.

then again, why else make an exclusive Wii game?

Originally Posted by PantherLotus

I think I missed that part of the interview. Please demonstrate to GAF how you came to that conclusion.

Well i'm probably off, but it sounds like they're worrying too much about focusing on the lightsaber that they're ignoring the actual game

Originally Posted by mellowbob

Well i'm probably off, but it sounds like they're worrying too much about focusing on the lightsaber that they're ignoring the actual game

How the **** can you gather any of this from the article posted?

"We’re all over that, and internally we have already played a lightsaber game on the Wii. It’s a lot of fun, and we’ll get there."

Great. That helps me exactly not at all.

Originally Posted by SonSon2

LIGHTSABERTON

Originally Posted by SonSon2

LIGHTSABERTON

Originally Posted by SonSon2

LIGHTSABERTON

Originally Posted by SonSon2

LIGHTSABERTON

Originally Posted by SonSon2

LIGHTSABERTON

Originally Posted by SonSon2

LIGHTSABERTON

.

"we have internally played a lightsaber game on wii. it was a mod or something. hal barwood found it at the flea market."

Originally Posted by mellowbob

Well i'm probably off, but it sounds like they're worrying too much about focusing on the lightsaber that they're ignoring the actual game

So focusing on a gameplay mechanic is now a bad thing?

Originally Posted by sp0rsk

How the **** can you gather any of this from the article posted?

I really don't know, but to me the idea that you have a lightsaber prototype working, and then you say "we'll get there" about "some stuff" out in the fall sounds like you haven't put too much emphasis on the game itself or are just planning to add that prototype to a port and call it a day.

Expectations: very, very low.

Originally Posted by mellowbob

I really don't know, but to me the idea that you have a lightsaber prototype working, and then you say "we'll get there" about "some stuff" out in the fall sounds like you haven't put too much emphasis on the game itself or are just planning to add that prototype to a port and call it a day.

Many games start as a concept, prototyped... and are turned into a game.

Did you know that's how the recent Zelda games are made? They start with a gameplay idea (wolf form) and flesh out everything around it.

In Junior's defense ever since I imagined a waggle-enabled lightsaber game the first thing that came to mind was visuals of a cash-in game along the lines of Masters of Teras Kasi game *shivers* Even if the game were to be a crappy cash-in it would sell like crazy just based on waggle effect.

I do hope my gut feeling is wrong.

I thought Force Unleashed was confirmed for Wii (via leaked Gamestop release list)? Isn't that the obvious answer?

Unless they're talking about something like Jedi Knight IV, I wouldn't get too excited.

there are plenty of star wars games.
we need a new, good indiana jones game.

Luke Skywaggle!

Originally Posted by Sho_Nuff82

I thought Force Unleashed was confirmed for Wii (via leaked Gamestop release list)? Isn't that the obvious answer?

Unless they're talking about something like Jedi Knight IV, I wouldn't get too excited.

There have been release lists from a few places that listed a Force Unleashed Wii version. and lucasarts has never denied it either. Its hard to say whats going on. I just recall them saying they had an unannounced wii game in development.

Could be star wars or it could be indiana jones.

So a game with good lightsaber controls is bad now? I mean, if they're playing it and it's fun, and they have time to polish, who the hell cares? I'd love to geek out to some lightsaber duels with my friends.

Originally Posted by mellowbob

I really don't know, but to me the idea that you have a lightsaber prototype working, and then you say "we'll get there" about "some stuff" out in the fall sounds like you haven't put too much emphasis on the game itself or are just planning to add that prototype to a port and call it a day.

I agree with mellowbob. Based on past experience with Lucasarts and how developers are handling the Wii it's quite possible they will ass this up in some way. The nonchalant attitude of the guy doesn't exactly instill confidence either.

They might have the lightsaber mechanics down but will wrap it all up in some half-assed game. Or they'll have a great game and mechanics no more complex than Zelda. Of course, it might also turn out great, but I don't see the point in belittling mellowbob for expressing his opinion.

This is the stuff dreams are made of :) it's about time they announced some lightsaberTON action

Originally Posted by Keru_Shiri

I'd love to geek out to some lightsaber duels with my friends.

Colour me excited if this is something I'll be able to do!

Every time I think of a lightsaber game on Wii, I think of that NeoGeo arcade game where you have a sword, it was in first person kind of, and you slash and deflect shit. What was that game?

Masters of Teras Kasi II!

Originally Posted by Humphrey Bogart

a good lightsaber game would be awesome, but im skeptical lucas arts will put any effort into making a good game.

then again, why else make an exclusive Wii game?

Because it's outselling PS3 and 360 combined?

God I hope that they actually do something awesome with this idea. I really, really want to deflect blaster shots with my Wiimote. :D

I would love to have a kick-ass lightsaber game! Hopefully LucasArts can pull this off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLSnd-jUxdY

:D

It would be cool if they made a new Jedi Knight game for the Wii, the controller could lend itself well both to the gunplay and lightsaber fighting, but I'm not holding my breath. It may turn out to be a waggle enabled port of Lego Star Wars 1 and 2.

What's even better is that the shitty Wii Remote speaker lends itself perfectly to the crackly sounds of the lightsabers.

lol @ Kit Fisto. What the **** Lucas.

Originally Posted by Tristam

What's even better is that the shitty Wii Remote speaker lends itself perfectly to the crackly sounds of the lightsabers.

Excellent point.

Anyone remember when LucasArts was asked this same question months ago? They said it was unlikely.

I wonder what changed their minds...?

All Wii owners will be StarWars Kids pretty soon. I just imagine people looking over thier shoulder to make sure no one is lookin then goin buckwild with the wii mote in that game.

Originally Posted by SHOTEH FOCK OP

Every time I think of a lightsaber game on Wii, I think of that NeoGeo arcade game where you have a sword, it was in first person kind of, and you slash and deflect shit. What was that game?

badass

Originally Posted by haunts

All Wii owners will be StarWars Kids pretty soon. I just imagine people looking over thier shoulder to make sure no one is lookin then goin buckwild with the wii mote in that game.

I'm not an insecure twat, so I'll be going buckwild onlookers or no onlookers.

Originally Posted by MaddenNFL64

Anyone remember when LucasArts was asked this same question months ago? They said it was unlikely.

I wonder what changed their minds...?

The Wii install base maybe?

I hope I'm underestimating the Wii Remote's capabilities. From the games we've seen so far the closest thing I have seen to 1:1 object waving motions is the bat in Wii Sports baseball. Hopefully it's just a matter of developers getting new tools and understanding, and Lucas Arts really is all over the dream of lightsaber Wii controls.

I'd be more excited about Wii-based force powers.

I really hope this isn't just Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga with waggle which is going to be released this November.