Greetings, everyone!

SOS15 here to write about the many mysteries of the Star Wars universe. This week I'm going to focus on the upcoming Lucasarts video game, The Force Unleashed. With it's recent takeover of the fan base, I think it's the perfect time to discuss it and its future.

Much like my Kotor 3 entry, I will make sure to link to articles and discussions I base my thoughts off of.

Let's kick things of with the basics: What, when, how, and why?

The Force Unleashed, originally reveled in 2006 in under the name "Force Pre-Vis," is a third-person action video game set in the time period between Episode III and Episode IV. You, as some of you probably know, play as the Vader's "Secret Apprentice" as you hunt down the last of the Jedi. You will meet a series of interesting characters, experience ever-changing environments, and feel the force like never before. That's pretty much the "what" of TFU. For much more detail, visit this very cool fan site centered all around the game.

You may be thinking, "Wow! That seems really, really cool. When can I get is?" Yeah, we all are. Lucasarts has never been big on public relations and TFU certainly didn't change that. Currently, the game is slated for an Summer 2008 release, most likely around July 29, 2008. That date has not been confirmed; actually, only seasons have been confirmed for the game, while the rest of the mass media project's items are all slated for June or July release dates. Hopefully, as we get closer, we'll get an official release date, but July 29, 2008 seems nice, considering it was suppose to be the event of 2007, and has been pushed back a few times.

With the when, you might be wondering how Lucasarts is creating their first ever next-gen game. Well, it wasn't easy, I can assure you that. From the web documentaries it seems that the story has been something they've been thinking about since 05'/06.' The graphics of the game, however, are much more complex than the story. For the first time ever, three unique systems, for lack of a better word, are being use together: Havoc, DMM, and Euphoria. Now, I can't begin to explain them in detail, but I can point you into the direction of who can; you can find three information demos here, and a behind the tech video there as well.

Lastly, why is Lucasarts making this game? Better yet, will it ever come out!? Well, to the latter, yes, of course. Games, books, entertainment items in general, get bushed back all the time for different reasons. To the former, I can't really answer that officially, but from my point of view, it's for many reasons. The main reason for me, however, is allowing us to feel SW, to feel the power of what we were first introduced to, more than 30 years ago. Anyone who says LA doesn't care will probably changed their mind after seeing this game, but that's for a different entry.

I do think The Force Unleashed has a lot riding on it, and hopefully it can carry and deliver. Only time can tell us that.

Alright, I have to finish writing my interview questions for John Jackson Miller and a few other things so I'll let you bring up your own musings on the subject.

Until next time, fellow bloggers and fans.

SOS15, signing off.