LucasArts today announced that its third-person action title Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will hit U.S. retailers on September 16, with a European release following on September 19. The game is set to hit a number of platforms, including the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PS2, Wii, PSP, DS, and N-Gage mobiles.

Taking place between the events of Episode III and Episode IV, The Force Unleashed is LucasArts’ first internally developed Star Wars video game title for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

The Force Will Be Unleashed on September 16

LucasArts Announces Release Date for Breakthrough New Star Wars® Game, and Teams with Spike TV to Unveil New Details

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – April 3, 2008 – LucasArts today announced that its highly anticipated videogame Star Wars®: The Force Unleashed™ will be released on September 16, 2008 in the United States, September 17 in Southeast Asia and Australia, and September 19 in Europe.

An entirely new chapter in the Star Wars Saga, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed casts players as Darth Vader’s “Secret Apprentice” and promises to unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy. The game’s expansive story is set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. In it, players will assist Vader in his quest to rid the universe of Jedi – and face decisions that could change the course of their destiny.

“Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is one of the most ambitious projects LucasArts has ever launched. The combination of a great new Star Wars story with revolutionary new technology and game play means more fun than you’ve ever had in the Star Wars universe,” said Peter Hirschmann, Vice-President of Product Development, LucasArts. “We can’t wait until gamers get their hands on it this September.”

LucasArts and Spike TV are teaming up together to unveil new details about and exclusive footage from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed in celebration of Spike TV’s airing of all six Star Wars Saga movies. Airing Friday, April 4, through Sunday, April 6; and Friday, April 11, through Sunday, April 13, Spike TV’s two-weekend event includes the broadcast premiere of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and the basic cable premieres of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace and Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. Spike TV’s Star Wars presentation marks the first time that all six movies will be presented together on a basic cable network.

Reflecting its status as an exciting new part of the Star Wars Saga, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be featured throughout Spike TV’s weekend events. Viewers will see special Star Wars: The Force Unleashed segments, each with an exclusive announcement or new game play footage, at the following times on Spike TV:

April 6 at 7:58 p.m. ET/PT – between the premiere of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
April 11 at 10:52 p.m. ET/PT – At the end of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
April 12 at 12:00 a.m. ET/PT – throughout an episode of GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley filmed at LucasArts’ headquarters in San Francisco
April 12 at 5:06 p.m. ET/PT – before Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
April 13 at 5:06 p.m. ET/PT – before Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back

“With the airing of all six Star Wars movies and a first-hand look at Star Wars: The Force Unleashed we’re confident that April will be a memorable month for Star Wars fans,” said Robert Friedman, Senior Vice-President of Programming, Spike TV. “Our dedication to entertainment and video games makes our relationship with LucasArts an exciting opportunity to take part first-hand in Star Wars history as well as give our viewers an insider’s look at the future of the franchise.”

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