[LucasArts Game Development Shut Down]

On 04/13/2013 at 11:06 PM by Dandichu

**I did not write this article! This content is copy-pasta from the following website because I'm at work!**

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/04/end-of-an-era-disney-shuts-down-internal-game-development-at-lucasarts/

The company behind games ranging from Monkey Island and Grim Fandango to X-wing vs. TIE Fighter and Jedi Knight is effectively no more. Disney announced today that it is shutting down internal development of games through its LucasArts subsidiary.

"After evaluating our position in the games market, we've decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company's risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games," Disney said in a statement obtained by Game Informer. "As a result of this change, we've had layoffs across the organization. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles."

While it seems the LucasArts name will live on as a brand to handle Star Wars game licensing going forward, the developer is, for all intents and purposes, no more. It's the end of a game development brand that goes back to 1982. Reports indicate that all of the roughly 150 employees at LucasArts have been let go and that work has been stopped on cinematic shooter Star Wars 1313 and Xbox Live Arcade title Star Wars: First Assault." - Kyle Orland

(Read more at the aforementioned link, discuss below!)

Cary Woodham

04/14/2013 at 02:01 AM

My favorite LucasArts game was Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders.

SanAndreas

04/14/2013 at 03:13 AM

Unlike a lot of old-media companies like Warner Bros Interactive, Fox Interactive, or Disney Interactive, which were just there to cash in on their IPs in the video game realm, LucasArts was a genuinely good game-maker once upon a time. I remember their games from the 1980s, when they were known as Lucasfilm Games. Koronis Rift, The Eidolon, BallBlazer, and Rescue on Fractalus were some of the most technologically advanced games of the time, That was also the time they started their adventure games. My favorite LucasArts game is Zombies Ate My Neighbors. But by the end of the 90s they were little more than a Star Wars licensing vehicle.

jgusw

04/14/2013 at 01:35 PM

It makes complete sense to be. It's been many years since I thought "wow" about a LucasArts game. I didn't know LucasArts was developing 1313. I thought some other developer was doing it. 1313 is the only game I had interest in. The last LucasArts developed game I enjoyed were the Force Unleashed games and I wouldn't say they were "awesome".

NSonic79

05/04/2013 at 11:26 PM

didn't know this would bother me at first. Till someone told me they were behind Metal Warriors. Not sure if they were putting me on but I don't dare try to look it up.

PixlBit