I’ll make it no secret; just the mention of another Jedi Knight game puts my mind in a tizzy – more so when Raven Software is helming the project. Raven’s previous effort, Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, ranks up there with Tie-Fighter and X-Wing as one of the best Star Wars games ever. Of course, as we all know, this doesn’t mean Jedi Academy will be a sure-fire hit (but will no doubt be popular among "classic" Star Wars fans). With the proceding information Jedi Academy looks like it’s got the right ingredients, even without Kyle Katarn as the main character.

Continuing the epic legacy of the critically and commercially acclaimed Jedi Knight action game series, LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, announces Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for Windows PC and the Xbox. Expected for release fall 2003, this latest chapter in one of interactive entertainment's most celebrated game series extends the partnership between LucasArts and Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), through its developer Raven Software.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is the follow up to Star Wars( Jedi Knight( II: Jedi Outcast(, the best selling premium priced PC game in America, United Kingdom, and Germany upon initial release in 2002.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a dynamic single and multiplayer action experience featuring an all-new epic story. Players are immersed in the role of apprentice at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy where they learn the power - and danger - of the Force. Amidst a multitude of complex and richly detailed Star Wars environments, including twice as many unique locales as those in Star Wars: Jedi Outcast, players face a variety of powerful and insidious enemies.

For the first time in a Jedi Knight series game, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy allows players to create and customize their own characters by choosing various characteristics including species, gender, clothing, and physical attributes such as hair and facial features. In addition, players can create a custom lightsaber, selecting from hilt and blade color. As apprentices progress in their training, different lightsabers will become available, such as the double-bladed lightsaber or dual lightsabers.

"With the overwhelming success and critical acclaim of Star Wars: Jedi Outcast, continuing an alliance with Activision and Raven Software was a clear and very easy decision," says Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "As they did with its best selling predecessor, Raven will bring to Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy innovative, dynamic, and challenging game play that honors the well-respected legacy of the series."

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy begins shortly after the conclusion of events in Star Wars: Jedi Outcast. Players create a Jedi apprentice character and join the Jedi Academy on Yavin 4 to learn the ways of the Force under the tutelage of Luke Skywalker and Kyle Katarn. While the young apprentice embarks on various missions to hone their skills and abilities, a mysterious group is discovered creating havoc throughout the galaxy. Until order is restored, the fate of the Jedi Academy - and the future of the Star Wars galaxy itself - hangs precariously in the balance.

While players will be able to accomplish more by using the lightsaber in Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, they also will have a variety of weapons - new and old - at their disposal including a blaster, blaster rifle, Wookiee bowcaster, Imperial repeater, and a Destructive Electro-Magnetic Pulse gun.

A unique level selection system allows players to choose their own path through the game as well as the missions they undertake to improve their Jedi skills. The game will add new multiplayer modes and bring back the most popular modes from Star Wars: Jedi Outcast.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy will be published and distributed by LucasArts in North America. Activision will publish and distribute the game in all other territories worldwide.

Features

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy allows players to immerse themselves in the classic Star Wars universe as they take on the role of a student eager to learn the ways of the Force from Master Luke Skywalker. Players will interact with famous classic Star Wars locations and characters while facing the ultimate choice: fight for good and freedom in the light side or follow the path of power and evil to the dark side.

Players can create their own characters by defining various characteristics, such as species, gender, clothing and physical attributes allowing for a more personal experience before entering the academy to learn the powers - and dangers - of the Force.

Construct your own lightsaber from handle to blade color. Utilize two if you prefer or try the ultimate dual-bladed lightsaber made famous by Darth Maul.

Unique tiered level selection allows players to choose their adventure and the missions they take based on the skills they need to become the ultimate Jedi Knight.

Additional multiplayer modes add depth to the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight legacy. Players can partake in a variety of unique modes.

New vehicles, weapons and Star Wars environments enhance players Star Wars experience.

Anyone following another Star Wars project, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, should instantly see a few similarities. There’s definitely more emphasis on customization than in previous Jedi Knight (and Dark Forces) games.

And how these customized options will affect the gameplay is totally unknown. This kind of thing always works with RPGs but with a more intense shooter/action game? Will things become bogged down in customization? And how will these attributes change the story and gameplay? For instance, it’s already been established that bad Jedi are expelled from the Academy – witness Dessan from Outcast – so if you act in unstable ways, say, exercising Force Grip on your teacher’s throat, does that mean part of the game will be totally closed off to you? The upside is that it’s bound to increase the replay factor.

The coolest feature has to be the ability to make your own light saber. Dual sabers? Double-bladed sabers? But I’m curious how this will play out for online sessions. Will your character from the single-player game be playable? Or at least your lightsaber?

How will the Xbox and PC versions differ? Will Mark Hamill voice Luke? What about Ewok Jedi? Will Leia’s outfit from Return of the Jedi be included?

There are just too many questions!

Class will be in session Fall 2003.

- Omni