Lucas Arts at E3: Indiana Jones, LEGO and more

Lucas Arts announced their upcoming products in a pre-E3 press release [via VE3d]. While familiar titles surrounding the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises are presents, a few interesting titles have sprung up with as Lucas Arts looks to a future with less dependence on its past.

Indiana Jones 2007 (working title) – PS3/XBOX360

Indiana Jones returns in 2007 for his most incredible interactive expedition ever. Set in 1939, this epic, original story – written for the first time under the direction of George Lucas – puts you in the fedora of the legendary adventure hero as he unravels the clues found in ancient artifacts spanning the globe. From San Francisco’s Chinatown to the world’s most sacred ground, Indy must use his fists, whip and trusty revolver to fight through ruthless opposition and piece together a mystery of biblical proportions. Indiana Jones 2007 is LucasArts’ first internally developed project for PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360. [...] Indiana Jones 2007 debuts the revolutionary new euphoria technology from NaturalMotion, which delivers never-before-seen lifelike action and awareness to every character in real time – so you’ll never see the same thing twice.

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy – XBOX/XBOX360/PS2/PSP /GameCube/PC/GameBoyAdvance/NintendoDS/

LEGO Star Wars II takes the fun and endless customization ability of the LEGO play pattern and combines it with the epic story, characters and action from the revolutionary Star Wars: Episodes IV, V and VI. With a unique tongue-in-cheek take on the Original Trilogy, LEGO Star Wars II lets you build and battle your way through your favorite film moments. From Darth Vader’s pursuit of Princess Leia aboard her Blockade Runner to Luke’s final confrontation with Emperor Palpatine, the game includes even more of the family-friendly LEGO action, puzzles and humor that earned the original LEGO Star Wars its ranking as the 10th best-selling video game in 2005.

Star Wars Empire at War: Forces of Corruption – PC
There is an expansion pack in the pipeline for Star Wars Empire at War titled Forces of Corruption.

The Rebels have just destroyed the Death Star, and the galaxy is in turmoil. As an aspiring Underworld figure named Tyber Zann, spread corruption throughout the galaxy using new strategic gameplay elements to influence other factions, steal their funds, slow their production, spy on them and more, all en route to becoming the most notorious criminal leader since Jabba the Hutt. Exciting new land-tactical options like customizable, upgradeable bases and guerilla warfare allow for innovative battlefield tactics. Take command of and confront new fighting units for all factions (Rebel B-wings, Imperial TIE interceptors, Darth Vader’s Executor Super Star Destroyer and more), and take down anyone who stands in your way of ruling the Underworld, be they new battlefield heroes like Luke Skywalker and Yoda or the forces of your most bitter rival – Jabba.

Which brings us to the non-franchise announcements from Lucas Arts. Thrillville sounds novel and fun while Traxion targets a demographic that Lucas Arts has not reached for before.

Thrillville – PS2/PSP/XBOX

Visit Thrillville for a nonstop party in a theme park you create. An all-access pass to adventure and fun, Thrillville lets you experience a fully interactive and customizable amusement park where you can play dozens of midway minigames, interact with your park guests, and even build and ride roller coasters and over 100 attractions. [...] You can also tour the park on foot – a first for theme-park titles – chatting and joking with all the guests to help them out and make sure they’re enjoying themselves. Slated for a fall release, Thrillville is being developed by Frontier Development for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PSP.

Traxion – PSP

Gaming and music combine like never before on your PSP in Traxion – where your tracks drive the action. Loaded with dozens of minigames and a variety of music from leading artists – and fully compatible with every MP3 file on your memory stick – Traxion sucks you in as the music not only provides the soundtrack, but also changes the way the games are played! Imagine the rocking guitar chords of heavy metal, the strong beats of rap, the smooth tones of jazz, or even the crazy pace of polka – all impact gameplay in a different way.

Lucas Arts will be at Booth 152 in the Concourse Hall at E3. All tours are by appointment only until the booth is open to all attendees after 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12.