LUCASARTS CHOOSES XBOX AND PC AS PLATFORMS
FOR STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC
Xbox Version of Star Wars Role Playing
Game Expected Fall 2002; PC Version Slated for Spring 2003
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — February 28, 2002 —
LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC today announced its upcoming role playing
game (RPG), Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, will debut on the Xbox video
game system this fall and release on PC early 2003. Developed by BioWare Corp.,
the dramatic game features an original story set some 4,000 years prior to the
timeframe of the Star Wars films in an era dominated by an epic conflict between
the Jedi and the evil Sith.
"Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic will
be available on two dynamic platforms, Xbox and PC, both of which are perfectly
suited for the incredibly compelling and high action role playing experience
this game will offer," says Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "As always,
LucasArts’ goal is to determine the best platform fit for each game. In this
case, BioWare’s tremendous expertise in the PC RPG genre makes that platform an
ideal showcase for the game, while an Xbox version provides a great opportunity
for LucasArts to establish the first major RPG franchise on that platform."
"BioWare has been fortunate to develop role
playing games that have been well received over the years," says Ray Muzyka,
BioWare’s joint CEO and co-executive producer of Star Wars Knights of the Old
Republic. "In Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, we’ll be able to bring
BioWare’s strengths – engaging story development, striking art and animation
style, and rewarding character development – to the Star Wars universe in a way
that will deliver an amazing game play experience."
Added Greg Zeschuk, BioWare’s other joint CEO
and co-executive producer, "The Xbox and PC are both fantastic game machines,
and the development team is committed to pushing the boundaries of both
platforms to make Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic the best role playing
game possible." Additional information about Star Wars Knights of the Old
Republic can be found on the LucasArts web site at
http://www.lucasarts.com/products/swkotor
About LucasArts
LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC is a
leading international developer and publisher of interactive entertainment
software for a variety of computer and console platforms. Based in San Rafael,
Calif., as well as on the Internet at
www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts is
one of five companies in the Lucas group which include Lucasfilm Ltd., Lucas
Digital Ltd. LLC, Lucas Licensing Ltd., and Lucas Learning Ltd. Lucasfilm is one
of the leading film and entertainment companies in the world. Lucasfilm’s
businesses include George Lucas’ film and television production and distribution
activities as well as the business activities of the THX Group. Lucas Digital,
which consists of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Skywalker Sound, provides
visual effects and audio post-production services to the entertainment industry.
Lucas Licensing is responsible for the merchandising of all Lucasfilm’s film and
television properties. Lucas Learning creates engaging interactive entertainment
products that provide learning opportunities through exploration and discovery.
About BioWare Corp.
BioWare Corp. is an electronic
entertainment company that develops computer and console games. Our published
projects include: Shattered Steel, the genre-defining Baldur’s Gate role playing
game series, MDK 2 for Dreamcast and PC, and MDK 2: Armageddon for PlayStation
2. Recently, BioWare released the award winning Baldur’s Gate Throne of Bhaal, a
massive expansion pack to Baldur’s Gate II Shadows of Amn. BioWare’s developers
are currently hard at work on two titles to be released this year; Neverwinter
Nights( – a Dungeons and Dragons( fantasy role playing game for single and
multiplayer (to be published by Infogrames), and Star Wars Knights of the Old
Republic (to be published by LucasArts). As well, development is under way on a
new, unannounced, third project. BioWare information can be found online at
www.bioware.com.
