For those who have ever wondered what would happen if Star Wars fiction and the software behind Gears of War combined, LucasArts has the answer. Epic Games, Inc. and LucasArts announced today a "long-term, studio-wide" contract allowing LucasArts to use Unreal Engine 3 in developing future titles.
Unreal Technology has already permeated the game development space like few other development packages before. It’s been the driving software behind popular titles like Batman: Arkham Asylum, the Gears of War series, the BioShock series, Borderlands, and the Mass Effect series. Now that it’s fallen into the fiction-rich hands of LucasArts, fans should expect to see some beautifully rendered lightsabers, among other things.
"Unreal Engine 3 is a forward-looking solution that shortens the path between inspiration and execution on a wide variety of gaming platforms," said Zak Phelps, director of technology at LucasArts. "We are thrilled to add another exceptional tool to our technology mix."
Of course, Epic is also excited about the new partnership as the royalty structure involved in Unreal Engine 3 licensing nets the North Carolina-based developer upwards of 25 percent of revenue from game sales using the licensed engine.
LucasArts is sure to roll out information on upcoming projects using UE3 at E3 starting June 7, so stay tuned to GamerNode for all the upcoming coverage.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA AND CARY, NC, APRIL 26, 2011 – LucasArts and Epic Games, Inc. announce a long-term, studio-wide agreement for LucasArts to develop multiple projects using Epic Games’ award-winning Unreal Engine 3 for the engine’s supported platforms.
"Unreal Engine 3 is a forward-looking solution that shortens the path between inspiration and execution on a wide variety of gaming platforms," said Zak Phelps, director of technology at LucasArts. "We are thrilled to add another exceptional tool to our technology mix."
"LucasArts is now primed to capitalize on Unreal Engine 3’s ability to scale across platforms, from mobile, through PC and console all the way up to the next generation of games," said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. "We can’t wait to see what happens when LucasArts combines their talented workforce and amazing intellectual properties with Unreal Engine 3."
About LucasArts
LucasArts, a division of Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd., is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at http:/www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.
About Unreal Engine 3
The award-winning Unreal Engine is known for its cutting-edge graphics, best-of-breed toolset and scalability across platforms. Unreal Engine 3’s highly mature toolset and content pipeline consistently evolve along with its advanced mobile features, multi-core processor support, optimizations for iOS, Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3 and massive world support. Unreal Engine 3 is designed to accelerate developers’ productivity for computer and video games, mobile games and applications, training simulations, 3D visualizations, digital films and animated television shows. Additional information on Unreal Engine 3 can be obtained at http:/www.unrealengine.com.
About Epic Games
Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and cross-platform game engine technology. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in its "Unreal" series, including "Unreal Tournament 3" for PC, PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360®. Epic’s "Gears of War" franchise has sold more than 13 million copies worldwide and won more than 50 Game of the Year awards. Epic’s Unreal Engine 3 is the five-time winner of and Hall of Fame inductee for Game Developer magazine’s Best Engine Front Line Award. Unreal Engine 3 has also held the Develop Industry Excellence Award in its category for the past three years. Additional information about Epic can be obtained at http:/www.epicgames.com.
