Jedi Knight III confirmed.

[DaveJ]

From www.pczone.co.uk

Sounds very cool!

"They've broken an embargo on it!" an Activision insider cried in hair-tearing manner, when we asked about the appearance of Jedi Knight III in the latest issue of a European games magazine. Well, that's all we need to be able confirm that the third in the series is on the way.
Raven Software is at the development helm once again; and the game, built on a modified Quake III Team Arena engine, is reportedly due toward the end of the year.

You may remember that Activision, in a recent conference call, hinted that there was another title in the Star Wars first-person shooter series planned. Today's Jedi Knight III revelation comes as no real shock - but what is surprising is that it will be with us so soon.

And there are more surprises in store. Long-standing hero of the series Kyle Katarn is being given the heave-ho. Having saved the day in Jedi Outcast, some years later Katarn finds himself standing in mentor boots alongside farm-boy-turned-Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker. Players begin Jedi Knight III as a talented pupil, training in the ways of The Force under the guidance of the two masters.

So who is this fresh-faced young upstart who has usurped Katarn? Well, here's an interesting thing: it's up to you. Adding RPG flavour, Jedi Knight III allows you to create your own custom character. You can pick from male or female avatars, determine race (only Humans and Twi'Leks [Bib Fortuna out of Return of the JEdi was one - Ed.] have been mentioned so far, but at least three other races are expected), select physical make-up and deck yourself out in clothing of your own choice.

Not excited yet? Well, how about if we tell you that you'll even be able to pick out your very own lightsaber? A selection of grip/handle designs for the Jedi Knights' favoured weapon will be available to choose from, along with a variety of colours. Oh, and lightsaber dual-wielding (a la Anakin in The Clone Wars) and Darth Maul-style double-ended lightsabers are both being introduced.

Wielders of a double-ended lightsaber will be able to snuff one end to gain speed increase in combat, while those who master the art of dual-wielding will be able to fling one lightsaber at enemies while retaining the other in the hand. With this in mind, it's no surprise to learn that the action in Jedi Knight III is heavily skewed toward lightsaber combat.

Raven, it seems, is definitely pulling out the stops to recreate the classic lightsaber battles from the movies. Awesome, is all we can say.

Single-player Jedi Knight III will apparently offer around 30 hours of gameplay, the game featuring a non-linear, mission-based campaign that'll have us visiting a variety of locales including Hoth and Tatooine. While some missions are integral to the storyline, from the sounds of it you'll also be able to branch off and spend time developing your character in the Jedi Academy and fight one-on-one battles with an AI opponent. There'll even be missions that are purely vehicle-orientated.

Levels will apparently be huge, many up to two times the size of those seen in Jedi Outcast.

One key difference this time around is that players, during events, will be able to decide whether to walk the Dark or Light Side of The Force. While this will, fingers crossed, give you access to different Force powers, it also means that you can expect there to be a mission path split in the later stages and two unique endings depending on your choices made earlier on in the proceedings.

Force powers themselves are being enhanced, the option being made available to combine powers for greater effect. Players will apparently be able to select which power they wish to advance as they progress, each having three different levels of, erm, power. The addition of new powers will no doubt be met with applause too, as will the introduction of some of Jedi Outcast's multiplayer-only powers to Jedi Knight III's single-player portion.

As yet there's next to nothing on Jedi Knight III multiplayer, but no doubt Raven is looking to pull something a little different out the bag. Hopefully we'll be able to use custom characters created for single-player at least; and if we get to plod around on Taun-Tauns (the ugly bipeds, in mountable form, appear in single-player) in Deathmatch, our dreams will have truly been answered.

Good news!

[MunkeeChum]

I didn't like JK II.

But this seems refreshingly different, I think I will check it out

[Duckman Drake]

Funny... why hasn't this news popped up on other game sites by now? After spending my April Fools day over at the LoK forum, I put suspicion into everything LOL. Don't get me wrong, it sounds like a great idea (loved JK2 for Xbox) but it sounds too much like a mix between JK and Knights of the Old Republic (in which you'll be able to customize your own character).

Anybody else out there see this mentioned elsewhere?

[DaveJ]

The opening line about an embargo may be a clue.

It was posted on the PC Zone site a couple of days too early for April Fools.

Originally posted by Duckman Drake


Anybody else out there see this mentioned elsewhere?

Here are a few snippets, some cool screenshots: "Jedi Academy"

JK II was not a masterpiece (some truly annoying puzzles), but provided much fun in hacking people up with the saber and in using evil Force powers. Eidos SF was embroiled in endless Multiplayer QA vs. Tech Support duels for a solid month after that game came out (and in which a I acquitted myself quite well, thank you )...I anticipate more saber-thwackage when this one ships.

[Duckman Drake]

(rubbbing disbelief out of my eyes)... absolutely stunning. And announced so soon after the console ports of JK2.

I like the inclusion of the Darth Maul sabre, and the prospect of bigger bosses like the Rancor sounds great. The only thing they didn't mention was gunplay- sounds like it won't feature any first person elements (sigh). Still looks very tasty though. Looking forward to X and GC ports.

On a related Star Wars note, next months issue of EGM is going to feature details about Rogue Squadron 3: heard that one of the levels will be the speeder bike chase on Endor (drool).

[Duckman Drake]

WooHoo!!! Here's another announcement at Gamepro's website

http://www.gamepro.com/lofi/article....ticle_id=28777

For PC and Xbox (guess no GC support this time around) with guns from the last game and a Fall release date... somebody catch me, I'm gonna faint.