January 21 2005

LucasArts today officially announced Star Wars: Empire at War, the tentatively-titled real-time strategy title from Las Vegas-based studio Petroglyph. Set just before the events of Episode IV: A New Hope, the game lets players take sides in the great conflict between the Galactic Empire and the newly-formed Rebel Alliance.

To take players into the Star Wars universe, Petroglyph is developing an original game engine featuring advanced 3D graphics technology. The engine will render the vistas of familiar planets such as Hoth, Tatooine, and Dagobah, as well as some hitherto unseen locations from the Star Wars films and novels.

Players choose to play on the side of the Empire or the Alliance, building and mobilizing forces to clash in battle. As the conflict progresses, heroes from the Star Wars saga will appear, playing a role in crucial situations. Further, the effect of player's actions in the game will persist, meaning choices you make will leave a permanent mark on the Galaxy.

In addition to the single-player campaign, Empire at War will support online battles for up to eight players.

Right now, LucasArts is scheduling Empire at War for release in Fall 2005