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Archived News
October 2004
Week 3
Saturday
October 16, 2004 |
Jump
to Lightspeed: GameSpot Preview |
GameSpot
posted a great preview of the upcoming expansion pack to the
popular Star Wars Galaxies pc game. Here's a brief clip of
the article:
At this time, it seems
like the best way to get into space as a fighter pilot is to join
one of the game's three factions: the Galactic Empire (led by the
Emperor and his infamous henchman Darth Vader), the Rebel Alliance
(for whom the valiant Luke Skywalker fights), or the Hutts, a
neutral mercenary faction affiliated with the dastardly Jabba of
Tattooine. Once you're affiliated with one of these three groups,
you'll be able to play as a pilot who's aligned with that
particular faction. This lets you receive specific training so you
can take that faction's ships into space. For instance, signing on
the Imperials' dotted line will earn you the deed to a TIE
fighter, while siding with the Rebels will get you access to the
classic X-Wing fighter. The Hutts have their own proprietary
vessels, and all three factions have additional ships available.
If you care to, you can also learn an all-new trade--that of the
shipwright, who crafts powerful add-ons for starships.
Hyperspace travel takes
you to a different star system, but it can't be used
instantaneously. Your ship has to complete the proper calculations
before your cockpit's view is engulfed by the familiar-looking
streaks of light that signal your jump to lightspeed. Since
hyperspace travel is automatic, and since regular navigation also
includes an autopilot option for you to more efficiently reach
your destination, space travel actually seems surprisingly
easy--as does keeping your bearings. Even if you do venture out to
the bandit-infested Kessel Run on the outskirts of Endor, or even
if you try to tackle the freeform player-versus-player territory
of deep space, you can always autopilot back to a more familiar
location...assuming you can withstand a few parting shots from
whatever unfriendly types you might encounter.
Please note, however, that the above impressions
are based on time spent with a prerelease beta version of the
game, so any and all of the details are subject to change. Hit the
link above to read the full article.
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Saturday
October 16, 2004 |
Making
of Episode III Webdoc #8 |
The
Official Star Wars Site has made its eighth Episode III webdoc
entitled, Behind the Curtain, available to non- Hyperspace
members.
This video peaks behind the curtain of blue and greenscreen
where an entire world is literally working behind-the-scenes. From
the tent that contains the vital HD recording gear, to the
soundboard that gathers production dialogue.
Click here to watch the video!
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Posted
by: themostpowerfuljediever <
font>
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Friday
October 15, 2004 |
Lucas
To Receive AFI Lifetime Award |
Yahoo!
reports:
LOS ANGELES - After creating "Star
Wars," "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "American
Graffiti," Darth Vader might insist it was George Lucas'
DESTINY to get the American Film Institute's lifetime achievement
award.
Lucas, 60, was picked on Friday to be the
recipient of the organization's 33rd annual prize, following such
recent recipients as Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro and Tom Hanks.
"I've been very fortunate to have had a long
career doing what I love to do, and being recognized by the AFI
for it is really an honor," Lucas said. "I'm proud to be
counted among such an extraordinary group of people whose lives
are dedicated to the art of making movies."
Hit the link above to read the full article.
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Friday
October 15, 2004 |
Homing
Beacon #121 |
The
latest Homing Beacon has arrived and today we get to talk about
Star Wars sets. In the summer of 2003, seven soundstages at Fox
Studios Australia were transformed into locales on distant worlds
or the interiors of massive starships thanks to the skills of over
300 construction personnel. Construction Manager Greg Hajdu
oversaw the team of carpenters, leading hands, painters,
stagehands, laborers, plasterers, welders and more who built such
massive environments as Padmé's verandah, the Separatist control
room, the bridge of the Trade Federation cruiser or Palpatine's
office complex.
"They all live for Star Wars," says Hajdu. "After
the first one we did, they were like, 'Well, when's the next one
happening? 'Cause we've never done such a complicated job and
we've never had our skills stretched.' It's quite unlike any show
we've ever done or will ever get to do probably."
A veteran of over 16 years in the industry, Hajdu counts such
films as Attack of the Clones, Moulin Rouge!, Ned Kelly, and Dark
City among his construction credits. Despite such experience, he
can empathize with the dismay fans often express when they learn
the eventual fates of even the most labor-intensive sets.
"Whether it's timber, plywood, MDF... whether it's painted or
not, it all ends up in 30 cubic meter skip bins and goes off to
get burnt to run power stations instead of coal, basically,"
he says. Within the span of a day, a set that took weeks to
construct is completely dismantled and demolished. The constant
workload of a busy production schedule tends to be the perfect
remedy for any lingering connections to a doomed set.
"You're so busy the next week or the next day, that it
doesn't matter," he says. "You're creating the next bit,
so you forget about what was here in Stage 7, because now it's the
General's Quarters where Palpatine's Office used to be. It can be
hard at the end of the show for some of the crew, because it
starts so suddenly, it's so busy and then it stops so suddenly
too."
Continues Hajdu, "It's a shame, but it doesn't matter because
it's been created. The set has already been captured on film or on
tape. It exists forever." |
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Thursday
October 14, 2004 |
EPIII:
Teaser Banner Revealed? |
Reported
by TF.N:
We were sent this
picture of what sure looks like a banner for Episode III. Is
it legit? Here's a description to boot:
Spoiler -
Highlight to read:
The banner is Anakin standing looking
particularly evil in his dark Jedi robes. In the background are
the tall walls of a Star Destroyer. The floors reflect the light
of the walls. Around him is the silhouette or Darth Vader which
fades into his Jedi outift. THE SAGA IS COMPLETE is printed across
the top of the banner.
MAY 2005
STAR WARS
EPISODE III
Our thoughts? It is way more inspiring than the
AOTC banner. Definitely in the same family as Episode I. Sweet!
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Tuesday
October 12, 2004 |
January
2005 Comics |
The
Official Star Wars Site has provided a look at the Star Wars
titles Dark Horse Comics has planned to ring in the new year.
You remember Jabiim, don't you? A water-logged mudworld that
served as a grueling battlefront during the Clone Wars. Decades
later, the ruling Galactic Empire is starting to lose interest in
the world, as the planet's valuable ores are dwindling. Palpatine
is not yet willing to pull the last of his troopers off Jabiim,
despite the repeated harassment of the local Jabiimi rebels.
The Rebel Alliance arrives to support the locals, but as Luke
Skywalker sets foot on the planet, he realizes he's stepping into
his father's shadow. A generation ago, Anakin Skywalker served on
Jabiim, and the locals haven't forgotten... or forgiven.
This story is told in Star Wars: Empire #29, by Thomas Andrews
and Adriana Melo. It features cover art by Tomas Giorello. It is
scheduled for release on January 5.
In the time before Episode III, Obi-Wan's quest for Asajj
Ventress has lured him and Anakin Skywalker aboard a drifting
space wreck. There, the Jedi must face off against the seemingly
unkillable foe. Anakin has learned to be unstoppable too, by
tapping into his unrestrained power. Separated from Obi-Wan,
Anakin gives into his power, and squares off against Durge as no
Jedi has before.
This action packed issue of Star Wars: Obsession is by Haden
Blackman and Brian Ching. It is the third chapter of a five-part
prequel to Episode III. It is scheduled for release on January 19.
Two of the most deadly challenges faced by Aayla Secura in
recent years have been the Anzati and the Morgukai. The Anzati
assassins are a vampiric species of centuries-old killers. The
Morgukai were a fanatical cult of Nikto warriors whose strength
and tenacity made them dangerous adversaries to even trained Jedi.
She survived both threats intact, but now, the two have joined
forces.
The Separatists are employing Morgukai in large numbers,
trained by Anzati masters working for Count Dooku. Together,
Master Tholme and Aayla Secura have uncovered this plot, but can
they disrupt it before it's too late?
Find out in Star Wars: Republic #73, by Jon Ostrander, Jan
Duursema and Dan Parsons, featuring cover art by David Michael
Beck. This issue is scheduled for release on January 26.
Jumping ahead to February, that month sees the release of the
third Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures digest-sized trade
paperback. The Clone Wars continue to rock the Star Wars universe.
The Republic's forces, led by the Jedi, find themselves drawn
ever-deeper into Darth Sidious' evil web. With stories covering
all aspects of the Clone Wars -- from the trials of the revered
Jedi Master Yoda, to the tribulations of the lowliest clone
troopers fighting on the front lines, to the wicked machinations
of the dreaded Count Dooku and General Grievous -- these
fast-paced tales feature a unique look into the world of Star Wars
and at the events that shook the galaxy far, far away...
Inspired by the style and energy of the Cartoon Network's
award-winning Star Wars: Clone Wars micro-series, these comics
feature the talents of Haden Blackman, Ryan Kaufman, Wells
Hartley, Matt Fillbach and Shawn Fillbach. This 96-page book is
scheduled for release on February 23.
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Monday
October 11, 2004 |
Republic
Commando: XBox Preview |
GameSpy
posted a review of the gaming title Republic Commando, due to be
released for X-Box later this year:
In many spots, you can use context sensitive
commands, such as breaching a door or setting a bomb. If you aim
your reticle over one of these areas, a hologram (similar to the
"help me Obi Wan" one in Episode IV) will come up,
showing the placement of your teammates if you decide to choose
that command. It's a surprisingly effective pre-visualization
tool, and it allows you to set up your character to take advantage
of the situation in the best way possible. In the level I played,
I found that it paid to use your teammates as much as possible, as
charging in by yourself will result in certain death. However, if
you do happen to die, you can have your teammates revive you
(providing they're alive, that is), and you can also do the same
to them if they fall in battle.
Everything in the game is looking pretty tight, even at this early
stage. The graphics remind me quite a bit of Metroid Prime,
although the settings I've seen are a bit darker than those found
in Nintendo's game. There are a few other Metroid homages, as
well. You view everything in the game through your character's
face shield, and most of the HUD is presented on your screen. Your
weapon is a lot like Samus', too, as you can quickly change it
(using the D-pad) to perform different functions. Clicking to the
right will put it into sniper mode, while pushing left will turn
it into a machine gun. It's not know how many modes there will be,
but it's a cool way to do it.
Although Star Wars: Republic Commando was due to
come out earlier this year, it looks like holding it back was a
good idea. There are a ton of great shooters coming out this
holiday season, and it would be a shame if this one got lost in
the crowd. While it doesn't necessarily break a lot of new ground,
it's always nice to see the Star Wars franchise moving into new
genres. It's starting to look like 2005 is going to be a good year
for all of the wannabe Jedis out there.
Hit the link above to read the full article.
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Monday
October 11, 2004 |
Episode
III: Trailer Description |
TF.N
reports what the first(?) Episode III trailer will look like:
Spoilers -
Highlight to read:
A familiar voice over with Alec Guinness. Fans will love to hear
him speak his monologue to Luke from A New Hope about "Jedi
Knights always being the guardians of peace." As we hear
these familiar phrases, they've intercut shots from various Star
Wars episodes, excluding Episode 3. Only when the monologue ends
with "Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force"
about 40 seconds into the trailer do we see the face of Anakin. He
is partly covered with dark hood, looking positively evil.
This is followed by the shot of erupting
volcanoes, then some sort of volcanic field with crab-like
creatures and then darkness, all accompanied by Vader breathing.
Then the following is heard:
Sidious: "Lord Vader..."
Vader: "Yes?"
Sidious: "Rise."
Then we see Anakin in full Vader gear rising on
some sort of operating table to which he is chained. The rising is
slow and is intercut with shot of various Star Wars main
characters. When the table has fully risen so that Vader is
basically standing upright, the meatiest part of trailer begins,
with many, many shots from Episode III. Most of them are very,
very short - this will be something for freeze-frame fanatics to
analyze.
The ones that stuck in my memory:
Dozens of Wookiees on some sort of floating
platform.
Padme with signature Leia hairdo.
The Tri-Fighter, aka the precursor to the TIE
fighter with three curving wings and guns mounted between each
wing. They shoot red lasers.
The ARC Clonefigthter, aka the precursor to
X-Wing, with three wings on each side.
A gigantic starship being sprayed by streams of
something that looks like dense acid.
The trailer ends with the title "THE SAGA IS
COMPLETE - MAY 2005" and it is about 100 seconds long.
Amazing. The trailer should start playing
in theaters next month (November)!
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Sunday
October 10, 2004 |
10,000
Days Of Star Wars |
Today
marks a pretty cool milestone. It's the 10,000th day (or
864,000,000 seconds) since the first airing of Star Wars back on
May 25, 1977. You can check it out for yourself at the Calendarhome.com
days between dates calculator page. Source: TF.N |
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