Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Revealed [Archive]

Brevity

04-03-2003, 03:13 PM

Liink for pics (http://www.gamespydaily.com/news/screenshots.asp?id=4934)

The Force is strong on Xbox and PC this fall.
Thursday April 3, 2003 | Prophet

LucasArts, Activision and Raven Software have teamed up again to collaborate on a brand new chapter in the popular Jedi Knight series of action games today, revealing that work is well underway on a new game called Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for the PC and the Xbox. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy takes place shortly after the events in JK II: Outcast. Players begin by creating their own persona and heading to the Jedi Academy on Yavin 4 to learn the mysterious secrets of the force from Jedi Masters Luke Skywalker and Kyle Katarn. During their training, players discover that an evil and nefarious force is causing trouble throughout the galaxy and must do their part to take it down. Jedi Academy offers a brand new set of locales to explore, the ability to create your own persona from scratch, the ability to build a lightsaber from scratch (or a weapon similar to the one Darth Maul used in Episode One - and even two lightsabers), an arsenal of deadly weapons (a blaster, blaster rifle, Wookiee bowcaster, Imperial repeater, and a Destructive Electro-Magnetic Pulse gun), a level selection system that allows players to choose their own path through the game, a host of new Jedi Powers to choose from and the ability to follow the light and dark side of the Force. Jedi Academy is scheduled for release this fall on Xbox and PC. LEC did not disclose what engine the game(s) will be using but rumor has it that it will use id Software's Doom III engine (of course that's highly unofficial at this time). Check out the official press release for full details and be sure to check out these brand new screenshots:

Brevity

04-03-2003, 04:13 PM

LUCASARTS' HIGHLY ACCLAIMED JEDI KNIGHT SERIES RETURNS WITH STAR WARS® JEDI KNIGHT®: JEDI ACADEMY™ FOR PC AND XBOX

Latest Addition to Multi Award Winning Action Game Series Offers Expanded Locales, Character Customization, Dynamic Single and Multiplayer Modes

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – April 3, 2003 -- Continuing the epic legacy of the critically and commercially acclaimed Jedi Knight action game series, LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, announces Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for Windows PC and the Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft. Expected for release fall 2003, this latest chapter in one of interactive entertainment's most celebrated game series extends the partnership between LucasArts and Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), through its developer Raven Software.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is the follow up to Star Wars® Jedi Knight® II: Jedi Outcast™, the best selling premium priced PC game in America, United Kingdom, and Germany upon initial release in 2002.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a dynamic single and multiplayer action experience featuring an all-new epic story. Players are immersed in the role of apprentice at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy where they learn the power – and danger – of the Force. Amidst a multitude of complex and richly detailed Star Wars environments, including twice as many unique locales as those in Star Wars Jedi Outcast, players face a variety of powerful and insidious enemies.

For the first time in a Jedi Knight series game, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy allows players to create and customize their own characters by choosing various characteristics including species, gender, clothing, and physical attributes such as hair and facial features. In addition, players can create a custom lightsaber, selecting from hilt and blade color. As apprentices progress in their training, different lightsabers will become available, such as the double-bladed lightsaber or dual lightsabers.

"With the overwhelming success and critical acclaim of Star Wars Jedi Outcast, continuing an alliance with Activision and Raven Software was a clear and very easy decision," says Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "As they did with its best selling predecessor, Raven will bring to Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy innovative, dynamic, and challenging game play that honors the well-respected legacy of the series."

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy begins shortly after the conclusion of events in Star Wars Jedi Outcast. Players create a Jedi apprentice character and join the Jedi Academy on Yavin 4 to learn the ways of the Force under the tutelage of Luke Skywalker and Kyle Katarn. While the young apprentice embarks on various missions to hone their skills and abilities, a mysterious group is discovered creating havoc throughout the galaxy. Until order is restored, the fate of the Jedi Academy – and the future of the Star Wars galaxy itself – hangs precariously in the balance.

While players will be able to accomplish more by using the lightsaber in Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, they also will have a variety of weapons - new and old - at their disposal including a blaster, blaster rifle, Wookiee bowcaster, Imperial repeater, and a Destructive Electro-Magnetic Pulse gun.

A unique level selection system allows players to choose their own path through the game as well as the missions they undertake to improve their Jedi skills. The game will add new multiplayer modes and bring back the most popular modes from Star Wars Jedi Outcast.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy will be published and distributed by LucasArts in North America. Activision will publish and distribute the game in all other territories worldwide.

About LucasArts
LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems and PC. Based in San Rafael, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multi-faceted entertainment company.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual-effects and audio post-production, and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses. Lucasfilm's motion-picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 53 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in San Rafael, Calif.

FEATURES

As a new student of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy, follow an ancient tradition and learn the powers - and dangers - of the Force. The Force is a powerful ally; use it wisely

Star Wars® Jedi Knight®: Jedi Academy™ allows players to immerse themselves in the classic Star Wars universe as they take on the role of a student eager to learn the ways of the Force from Master Luke Skywalker. Players will interact with famous classic Star Wars locations and characters while facing the ultimate choice: fight for good and freedom in the light side or follow the path of power and evil to the dark side.

Players can create their own characters by defining various characteristics, such as species, gender, clothing and physical attributes allowing for a more personal experience before entering the academy to learn the powers - and dangers - of the Force.

Construct your own lightsaber from handle to blade color. Utilize two if you prefer or try the ultimate dual-bladed lightsaber made famous by Darth Maul.

Unique tiered level selection allows players to choose their adventure and the missions they take based on the skills they need to become the ultimate Jedi Knight.

Additional multiplayer modes add depth to the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight legacy. Players can partake in a variety of unique modes.

New vehicles, weapons and Star Wars environments enhance players Star Wars experience.