LucasArts Closed

[Sile]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/lucasarts-closed-6406363?tag=Topslot;LucasartsClosed;LucasartsClose d

After evaluating our position in the games market, we've decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company's risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games," the statement reads.

"As a result of this change, we've had layoffs across the organization. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles."

There may be hope for Star Wars 1313, as the representative told the site that it is looking for external partners to help bring the game to market, though nothing has yet been confirmed.

"It is worth noting that we are looking for proven external partners who can help us provide video games to our fans. We still believe in the video game industry, we still will provide Star Wars games, we're just looking at different models rather than internal production… They're evaluating everything. There's always a possibility that it [Star Wars 1313] can still come out via licensing."

Separately, a Disney representative told GameSpot, "Disney Interactive looks forward to working with Lucasfilm on new games opportunities that leverage their incredible IP and brings it to life across gaming platforms."

The original story follows below.

LucasArts is no more. That's according to a Kotaku source, who said Disney has laid off the company's entire staff and canceled all current projects.




The closure took place this morning, the source said, with layoffs estimated to number about 150 people. Star Wars: First Assault and Star Wars 1313 were reportedly both canceled.

This news comes after months of speculation about the future of LucasArts, which Disney acquired, alongside LucasFilm, last October for $4.05 billion. When this deal was announced, LucasArts reportedly froze all hiring and announcements.

LucasArts was most recently known for its Star Wars games, but the studio was also responsible for praised adventure games like The Secret of Monkey Island, Grim Fandango, and Day of the Tentacle, among others.

[Gelston]

Daaaaaaamn Disney.

[Atlanteax]

In a way, could be Disney's way of focusing on the movie aspect.

[Gelston]

They are going to use LucasArts as a licensing name. Makes sense.

[Methais]

LucasArts was most recently known for its Star Wars games, but the studio was also responsible for praised adventure games like The Secret of Monkey Island, Grim Fandango, and Day of the Tentacle, among others.

I'm insulted that Maniac Mansion wasn't included in that list.

[Taernath]

My 10-15 year old self would be highly upset by this, but the last game of theirs I played was Empire at War so my 30 year old self is just kinda 'meh'.

[Sile]

This actually might be better for future Star Wars games.

[Methais]

This actually might be better for future Star Wars games.

Probably so, since if I'm remembering right, most Star Wars games ended up sucking balls anyway.

[Dendum]

Probably so, since if I'm remembering right, most Star Wars games ended up sucking balls anyway.

There were some really good ones and some really bad ones.

[TheEschaton]

This actually might be better for future Star Wars games.

Doubt it. If they wanted to make a really good Star Wars game, they'd keep it in house and actually dedicate the resources to it. Since they don't, they'll probably license it to people to make cheap movie knock off games. Think the Game of Thrones video game.

Ironically, Ryan Howard (the baseball player) was on the Office this past week saying how he needed Jim/Daryl to get licensing for Darth Vader for his superhero baseball movie starring himself. Might be possible, now.

[Gelston]

I think it no longer being under George Lucas' control makes it better for Star Wars games. I want a Star Wars RPG like Skyrim.

[Methais]

^

[Sile]

Yeah would love to see an up to date Star Wars Knights of The Old Republic done, we may see Star Wars characters in Kingdom Hearts games now.

I never would of played a Kingdom Hearts until it was recommended by a friend, I was plesently suprised when I did.

[crb]

I don't know if they've made a good game since the 90s.

X-Wing/Tie Fighter for the PC were fucking epic, no space fighting game has come close since. Graphics have gotten better, but gameplay has gotten far far worse. Playing those games you actually felt like you were fighting a hoard a tie fighters outside of a star destroyer.

I also really liked Dark Forces as an early FPS.

I don't recall if those were in house or licensed.

In the last decade I liked the two Battlefront FPS online multiplayer games, but both suffered from lack of support/patching/bugs. Those games were licensed.

Really, the best starwars game of the past 10 years (that I've played, which admitted, is not all of them, since I didn't really play kotor or other rpgs much) is Lego StarWars, which is funny.

I'd like to see a remake of X-Wing with all the control and intricacy of the original (PC only obviously since you need a full keyboard) but with modern graphics.

[Methais]

We're way overdue for a good online multiplayer dogfighting game, whether it's Star Wars or not, or outer space or not.

+1 to everything you said about X-Winf vs. TIE Fighter. That game was the best shit ever.

[Gelston]

God, I love the shit out of XWing and Tie Fighter!

[Sile]

Yeah I loved Xwing vs TIe fighter, I was gonna mention it, but passed on it, just due to age. I remember playing that and Wing Commander back in the day, think it was Wing Commander 2, but both were good space fighter sims.

I had another PC game for star wars, was one of the first cd rom games I ever had, but it was another simulator I remember flying through some canyons in hoth? or Tattoine, sorry I'm not up on my star wars lore, but it was hard as fuck, around 93/94.

[Methais]

I think X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter was the only game I actually liked playing with one of those flight stick controllers.

IT FELT SO REAL MAN!

[Gelston]

I never played X-wing vs TIE Fighter... I played X-Wing and then the game that followed, TIE Fighter.. My xomputer was too shitty for X-Wing vs TIE Fighter, and the later X-Wing Alliance.

[Methais]

I never played X-Wing or TIE Fighter, but I'd guess that their pwnage levels were pretty similar to X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter.

I wish they'd come out with a full 360 degree motion sensor game called Lightsaber vs. Lightsaber.

[Sile]

I wish they'd come out with a full 360 degree motion sensor game called Lightsaber vs. Lightsaber.

I'm sure the gay porn industry would love it as well.

[Kalishar]

I played both X-Wing and TIE Fighter and yes their pwnage levels were off the charts. Particularly TIE fighter, since there was one part in the game where you actually flew as Vader's wingman.