On en connaissait l’existence depuis un moment, on en a même vu de nombreuses (et fort laides) images. Nonobstant, LucasArts, toujours très à cheval sur le protocole, annonce seulement aujourd’hui officiellement le développement de Star Wars: Battlefront, un Battlefield 1942-like pour PC, PlayStation 2 et Xbox.
On retrouvera 10 planètes de l’univers Star Wars, dont Hoth, Geonosis, Yavin, Tatooine et Naboo. On pourra jouer avec au choix les Rebelles contre l’Empire ou les Clones contre les Droids. LucasArts annonce une vingtaine de soldats différents au total. On aura aussi droit à divers véhicules (AT-ST, speeder bike et même X-Wing. Du coup, on espère qu’il y aura des TIE Fighters et des TIE Bombers).
Le jeu est développé par Pandemic Studios (Battlezone 2, Full Spectrum Warrior) et non directement par LucasArts en interne. C’est plutôt une bonne nouvelle pour la qualité du titre, même si ça semble quand même mal parti côté graphismes. LucasArts annonce le jeu pour la fin 2004.[–SUITE–]Le communiqué de presse :
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – January 13, 2004 – LucasArts officially announced today the exciting details regarding Star Wars Battlefront, an intense open-ended multiplayer action game set in the Star Wars® universe due out this fall for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game system from Microsoft and the PC. Star Wars Battlefront will put fans and gamers in the heat of the action as they re-live all of the epic battles from the classic and prequel eras of the Star Wars universe.
Both console and PC players will be able to participate in the most memorable Star Wars battles set in over 15 environments across 10 diverse planets including Hoth, Geonosis, Yavin, Tatooine and Naboo. Players will be able to select one of over 20 different soldier types from four factions: Rebel Alliance, Imperial Army, Clone Army and Droid Army. Each soldier will have specialized abilities and the freedom to use ground-based turrets found on the battlefront as well as over 15 diverse ground and air vehicles including the AT-ST, X-wing and speeder bike.
Star Wars Battlefront will be optimized for PS2 online, Xbox Live and PC online. Console gamers will be able to battle against 16 players over the Internet or 32 players connected via LAN. PC gamers will be able to battle against 32 players over the Internet or 64 via a LAN. The game will also support voice chat through compatible headsets for the PS2 and Xbox console systems as well as PC.
In addition to the single-player and various multiplayer modes offered in Star Wars Battlefront, a unique « Conquest » mode adds an innovative and strategic gameplay element to the action. After each battle is completed and the planet is conquered, the winning team will be rewarded with a special « bonus » ability that can be deployed in future battles in an attempt to take over the Star Wars galaxy planet-by-planet.
Star Wars Battlefront is published by LucasArts and developed by Pandemic Studios. For more information, please visit the official product website at www.starwarsbattlefront.com
