Star Wars: Falcon Gunner augmented reality shooter live on App Store
Ever wondered what it would have been like to ride shotgun with Han and Chewie? We're guessing -- based entirely on the fact that you're reading a video game blog right now -- that you're the type of person who has harbored this desire. Well, THQ's offering the next best thing: Augmented reality shooter Star Wars: Falcon Gunner, available today for $5 on iPhone and iPod Touch (and coming to iPad next month).
As the title suggests, you'll be in the gunner's seat of the Millennium Falcon during moments like the destruction of the Death Star and the Kessel Run (12 parsecs or bust!), aiming by actually moving your iOS mobile device around, blasting TIE fighters out of your immediate surroundings.
If you're a fan of canon, you might want to shy away from Falcon Gunner, as it takes some creative liberties with these historic Star Wars events. If you're a fan of cannons, however, you should jump right in, because, hoo boy, there are so many cannons.
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THQ WIRELESS LAUNCHES STAR WARSTM ARCADE: FALCON GUNNER
FOR iPHONE, iPAD AND iPOD TOUCH
Millennium Falcon Sim Brings Augmented Reality and Classic Arcade Action to iPhone 3GS/4, iPod Touch 4G and iPad
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – November 18, 2010 – THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI), today announced the release of Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner, the first mobile Star Wars game featuring augmented reality technology, for iPhone 3GS and 4, and iPod Touch 4G. The iPad version is scheduled for release in December.
Available for download on iTunes for $4.99, the first-person action game puts players in the Millennium Falcon's gunner turret, immersing them in more than 20 arcade-style levels that cover the legendary smuggling vessel's most exciting moments – including the Death Star escape, asteroid field pursuit over Hoth and infamous Kessel Run. As they blast their way through waves of TIE fighters and Star Destroyers, players earn credits that can be used to make special modifications to the Falcon's offensive and defensive capabilities, including concussion missiles and a low-level tractor beam.
For iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4G users, an optional augmented reality mode lets players use a device's camera to overlay enemy fighters on top of their natural surroundings and the device's compass or gyroscope to enable 360-degree, full body motion control movement. A free update scheduled to come over the next several weeks will also let users take and share augmented reality photos from within the Falcon's turret. On iPad, players can use the native compass for a similar control scheme against high-definition graphics.
"The Millennium Falcon is one of the Star Wars universe's most storied icons, and in Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner, we're bringing it to life in a novel way," said Adam Comiskey, Vice President, THQ Wireless. "With its augmented reality mode, 3D sound and multi-axis control, immersing yourself in Falcon Gunner will be easier than pulling the ears off of a gundark."
"It's no exaggeration to say that our mission at Vertigore Games – building experiences and proprietary technology that blur the lines between fantasy and reality – has been sparked in large part by our lifelong fascination with the Star Wars universe," said Josh Shabtai, CEO and creative director, Vertigore Games. "With the release of Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner, we're excited to create the first mobile augmented reality Star Wars experience."
About Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner
This epic space combat simulator brings the worlds of Star Wars and our world together in an augmented reality setting of cosmic action and adventure. Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner lets players pilot and upgrade the legendary Millennium Falcon while battling Imperial spacecraft across more than twenty levels. With an engaging social media challenge and taunt system, multi-axis controls, retina-display graphics and superior 3D sound for maximum game immersion, Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner truly delivers the Star Wars combat experience to handheld gamers and Star Wars fans.
