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Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars deploys Feb. 15
LucasArts has announced that Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars, based on the popular animated series, will enter the retail galaxy on February 15 in North America (and Feb. 18 in the UK). Yes, another one of those Lego games -- but this one introduces a few novelties, including "scene swap," where players switch between teams in separate locations to complete multi-part objectives, and boss battles. The game will also feature some real-time strategy elements. Based on our look at the game, Lego Star Wars 3 could just be the most polished Lego game yet -- and it'll need to be to bring back the large following of the first two games. The Clone Wars series might be a solid extension of the Star Wars franchise, but it's nowhere near as well known as the films ... even the films we wish we could forget. %Gallery-95846%
Lego Harry Potter ships over 2.7 million units
What would the appropriate spell be called? Financialus Maximus? Cashius Give-it-all-to-us? Look, we're not hip to this Harry Potter thing the kids are into, but with the latest Warner Bros. financial earnings showing Lego Harry Potter: Years 1 - 4 has "shipped over 2.7 million units," we want in. The game launched on June 29 and received favorable marks across the board, even from yours truly. Of course, it should be noted that "shipped" does not equal sold -- copies of the game could very well be sitting on store shelves right now. Regardless, don't expect you'll be seeing the last of these Lego games anytime soon.
Swag Sunday: Lego Harry Potter (360) [update]
Update: The comments are now closed and a winner will be contacted shortly via email. Thanks everyone for commenting! Of the many things that the non-muggles among us are capable of doing with magic, conjuring money unfortunately isn't on the list. The rest of us are in the same boat, and so even if Lego Harry Potter only costs $30 at retail, we felt it best to give away our review copy of the game (same as retail) to either group of folks. For a chance to win that copy of LHP, all you have to do is tell us your favorite spell from the series. Wingardium Leviosa, perhaps? Crucio, maybe ... you monster? Tell us in the comments below in the next 24 hours and keep an eye on your email inbox! Leave a comment telling us what your favorite spell from the Harry Potter franchise is. You must be 13 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person. This entry period ends at 7:01PM ET on Monday, July 12. At that time, we will randomly select one winner to receive a copy of Lego Harry Potter on Xbox 360 (ARV: $29.99) and various Harry Potter trinkets (ARV: $10). For a list of complete rules, click here. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Lego Harry Potter demo materializes on Xbox Live June 7, PS3 and PC to follow
Would you like to try Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, before its June 29 release date? Luckily for you, the wizards at Hogwarts have decided to share a quick magic lesson that will allow you to do just that starting June 7. Here's how you perform the spell, which, for complicated magical reasons, won't work until June 7: Download the demo from Xbox Live Maybe say a magic word or gesture with a wand or something The incantations and potion-brewing required to bring this demo into existence are somewhat more difficult for a PlayStation 3 and PC demo, so those versions won't be available until later in June. You'll be able to summon those demos just as easily, however, when the time arrives. You have the power within you.
Lego Harry Potter trailer shows the return of 'Mort
A brief aside: The scaly antagonist from the Harry Potter series would be a whole lot less intimidating if everyone just shortened his name to Mort, wouldn't he? That's not a name that inspires much fear, even when prefaced with "The Nefarious Dark Lord of All-Wizardkind." Check out the video above to see a brief vignette of clips from the fourth and final school year featured in Lego Harry Potter, which covers the events of Goblet of Fire. You know, the one with the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and Mad-Eye Moody, and all the thinly veiled lessons about the frightening changes puberty can visit upon teenagers. Yeah, that one.
Warner Bros. tasks Jeff Junge with driving digital games business
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment continues to grow as a major player in the industry, announcing today that Jeff Junge will drive its digital games business as Senior VP of Online Games and Digital Games Platforms. Under his former and even more long-winded title (Senior Vice President of Business Management for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group), Junge prompted some of Warner's most aggressive moves, overseeing the recent purchase of MMO developer Turbine and "guiding" the salvage of Midway's intellectual property. He also had a hand in the acquisition of Rocksteady Studios, developer of the acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum. In his new role, where he will report to WBIE president Martin Tremblay and Thomas Gewecke, president of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, Junge will oversee aspects of Warner's digital games business and integrated studios like Turbine and TT Games. We're excited to see Warner take a more aggressive stride into digital distribution, as long as the result avoids comparison to the company's downloadable beat-meh-up, Watchmen: The End is Nigh.
TT Games production chief: Kids are the best video game testers
[Image: Kidperez] Forget Will "Cyrus" Powers. If you really want to know if your game has what it takes, you need to turn to an eight-year-old, according to TT Games production chief Jonathan Smith. "They are the most efficient quality filter," he said in the new issue of Official Nintendo Magazine. "They get to it quicker than anybody else, because they'll just say if something doesn't work. The smallest things could ruin something, and they'll get bored and move on." ... OK, so here's the pitch: "The Tester 2.0: Lil' Wage Slaves." It'll be just like the first one, only it's all eight-year-olds. There will be none of the awkward sexual advances by the more backwards contestants but (and we're adamant about this) twice the drinking. *ring ring* "Hello? What's that, Mark Burnett, producer of reality show hits like Survivor and The Apprentice? You say you're retiring because you've heard there's a new kid in town whose big ideas are taking Hollywood by storm? Well, that's very flattering, thank you. Have your desk empty by the end of business." [Via CVG]
Lego Harry Potter 'Behind the Scenes' video shows us around Blockwarts ... er, Hogwarts
Are you ready to explore the "largest, most detailed Hogwarts" that's ever been created in a game world? We're not certain that we are either, but TT Games certainly has high hopes that we'll get to that point before LEGO Harry Potter's delayed June release window arrives. The latest "Behind the Scenes" video (seen above) has employees from the UK-based developer detailing the enormous, immersive world that they've built (primarily out of LEGOs, as one might imagine). And though we might argue that we're not exactly looking for "immersive experiences" from our LEGO-based titles, well, it's pretty cute watching little LEGO Harry in action. Even "He Who Must Not Be Named" is kinda adorable with a cylinder head -- how could we resist?! %Gallery-89979%
Hands-on: Lego Harry Potter, Years 1-4
While Lego Batman and Lego Rock Band have tempted me, I've always stuck with the regular versions of those games rather than diving into any block-based variations. Nevertheless, I previewed TT Games' latest Lego outing, Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, with an open mind -- I have read and liked the Harry Potter books and seen and enjoyed most of the movies. Maybe actually seeing Lego Hogwarts in action would win me over. %Gallery-89979%
Lego Harry Potter trailer is Sirius business
Kids these days, they're big into this Harry Potter dude. Whether it's the books or the movies, the kids want to know what's going down at the Hogwarts, whereas we were more concerned with what was going down at the F.A.O. Schwartz in our younger years. That keyboard from Big? We were all about it. That's why the above trailer is so hard to understand for us. Of course, the classic Traveler's Tales stamp of charismatic plastic dudes and dudettes is there and easily recognizable, but we're just not up on that Potter tip. We lack the info. Good thing Lego Harry Potter is a crash course on the up-and-coming wizard's first four years at that crazy school, right?
Lego and TT Games sticking together through 2016
If you like the Lego (popular entertainment property) series of games, great news: developer TT Games and Lego will be held together like some kind of interlocking toy until 2016 -- by which time, the kid for whom you pretend to buy these games will no longer be a kid. In the announcement of the renewed deal, WBIE notes that the Lego series, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Batman games (Lego Rock Band isn't mentioned for some reason), has sold "close to 50 million units worldwide." Next up for the Lego/TT Games collaboration are Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 this May, and Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars this fall.
Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars marching to multiple platforms this fall
And here we thought the well of Lego Star Wars material had dried up. Perhaps we've underestimated TT Games, which has revealed that it's constructing a new armed and fully operational entry in the series: Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. Destined for an Autumn 2010 release on the Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, Nintendo DS and Wii, the game will focus on the events of the Cartoon Network animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Expect "brand new battle modes, giving players unique, head-to-head combat" and an expanded level editor, allowing potential Padawans and Seperatists the chance to construct their own "customized bases and in-game battlefields." You'll also be able to employ new tactics throughout the game, such as "Squad command, Lightsaber slicing, Lightsaber jumps, long distance Jedi attacks and Grapple Tie-Ups." Wait, lightsaber slicing? Does that mean the obvious, or the radical ability to slice through lightsabers?
Lego Harry Potter building a magical May release
The boy who lived will make his brick-tacular debut when Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 rides a broomstick to every major gaming platform this May. It'll be interesting to see if the retail magic is there with the Hogwarts pupil, as it was for other mega-franchises like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Batman. Lego Harry Potter will apply the standard TT Games treatment to the series, dividing the first four movies (and rectangular objects known as books) into levels. If the idea of playing Quidditch with a flying plastic cube interests you, congratulations! You're the target audience for this game. Speaking of which, where's our Lego Dune?
Lego Batman brings blocky justice to one million in UK
TT Games, purveyors of blocky entertainment the world over, has managed to get copies of Lego Batman into one million UK homes. Rather then employ the controversial "throw it through their front windows" approach, the company has instead adopted a "put it on store shelves and see if they'll buy it" tactic. On paper, the accomplishment of enticing one million UK citizens into buying the game may seem like a great victory for the caped crusader and his young ward, but there are a few caveats. For one, Lego Batman is on about every system known to man. We're pretty sure we have a ColecoVision copy sitting around here somewhere, so its availability across almost every platform ever has contributed to its ability to get into gamers' hands. Second, there's the Xbox 360 bundle to consider, which managed to sell the game to some people who may not have particularly been in the market for it. Finally, the game released in late 2008 and the initially impressive feat is somewhat dulled by the fact it's had about 15 months to get to the coveted seven figure mark. Still, congratulations are in order. Everyone who's tried TT Games' adaptation of the tale of Bruce Wayne has walked away generally pleased, so we raise a Batarang in celebration for the UK-based developer. We only have one question: where's Falcone? No, seriously, where is he? He was nowhere to be found in the game! [Via VG247]
New Lego Harry Potter trailer has us rowling with laughter
TT Games has been at it for some time now with its Lego-themed games, taking on everything from Star Wars to Rock Band, each entry coupling the same goofy, self-referential comedy with a family friendly low barrier to entry. The new trailer for Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 takes these recurring tropes and adds them to the world of Hogwarts, Muggles, and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, sprinkling in iconic moments from the first four blockbuster books throughout. Without a release date for the game – and with the first half of the final Harry Potter film not hitting theaters until next November – we worry it might be awhile before we get our hands on this block-breaking version of Harry.
Saints Row 2, LEGO Indy hit Games on Demand
As promised, both Saints Row 2 and LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures are now available on Xbox Live Games on Demand. The games are available in almost all regions, though Saints Row 2 is not available in Japan, while LEGO Indy skips both Japan and Mexico. Saints Row 2 is $29.99 in the US and Lego Indy is $19.99. Prices vary by region though, so check before you plunk down those MS Points. Add Saints Row 2 to your 360 download queue Add LEGO Indiana Jones to your 360 download queue
New LEGO Rock Band trailer will brick your screen
At this point, many of you have likely already formed your Final Opinion™ on the blocky cousin to your regular, run-of-the-mill Rock Band: LEGO Rock Band. This latest trailer should then either excite you or induce a lifeless "meh." For us, it's the former, with the best part of this trailer obviously being the brief look at Chuck Norris rocking the guitar, right around the 58-second mark. Oh, and a little "Final Countdown" certainly doesn't hurt.
Video: Queen is the champion of Lego Rock Band
Finally, you get to see what Brian May considers "the ultimate accolade:" Queen in Lego Rock Band. Warner Bros. just dished out a new trailer and screens showing Freddie and co. strutting their stuff on the blocky stage. Sadly, the game will only have two Queen tracks, but don't be such a grumpy Gus! Theoretically, you should be able to access those Queen songs you downloaded from the Rock Band Music Store in Lego Rock Band -- granted the songs have been rated as "suitable for all ages." Oh, and don't expect to rent Lego Rock Band and extract all of its juicy tunes to your regular old Rock Band. Remember: you'll need a special code this time around. %Gallery-75955%
Blur gets blocky in Lego Rock Band
Lego Rock Band is quickly becoming a who's who of famous musicians who don't mind having their hands rendered as cylindrical claws. But until recently, for a game called Rock Band, it's been heavy on the solo artists and suspiciously light on the actual bands. Queen will be brickified for the game, but the first musical combo to be fully shown in LEGO form is Blur, best known for that one song with all the "Woo-hoos" in it. Rolling Stone has the first footage of the band performing that song in-game. You might as well watch it, since the song's already stuck in your head now.[Via Kotaku]
Lego Rock Band DS is peripheral-free
Warner Bros. has finally revealed the first screenshots and information about the mysterious DS version of Lego Rock Band. Unlike its DS Guitar Hero counterparts, Lego Rock Band doesn't make use of any peripherals beyond the standard DS stylus. Instead, it's an experience similar to Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP, also developed by Backbone -- in which players use the buttons to hit notes, switching between instrumental tracks throughout the song. This is wonderful news for those of us who loved Frequency and Amplitude.The major differences between Lego and Unplugged include, of course, the Lego styling and character building options, as well as the ability to hit notes using either buttons or the stylus. Lego Rock Band includes multiplayer for up to four people, and will be out Holiday 2009 along with the other platform versions. Check after the break for the first known tracks!%Gallery-70600%
