iFanboy.com has posted an interview with David Bullock, the director of the first Clone Wars episode “Ambush”. David discusses his past work (which includes the director of DC Comics DVD release Justice League: The New Frontier and comic book cover artist) to his work on the Clone Wars. The interview may contain some material others may find to be “spoilerish,” so read at your own risk. A link to the interview can be found here.

Source: iFanboy.com

The achievements in the Xbox 360 version of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed are a lot of fun to earn, but collecting them all may take some time.  Here are a few useful web sites to assist you in your achievement hunting:

X360A’s Achievement List
If you want to see all the achievements in TFU, this is the place to go.  It lists all the achievements (including the secret ones) and, if you’re a member, allows you to check them off as you earn them.  The benefit of this is that you can hide achievements you’ve already unlocked.  This gives you an accurate view of what you still need to earn.

X360A’s Achievement Guide
If you’re having trouble unlocking achievements, this is the place to go.  This awesome guide tells you exactly what is required to unlock each achievement.

X360A’s Holocron Guide
Can’t find some of the holocrons hidden throughout the game?  Then head on over to the Holocron Guide.  Using this guide, you should be able to find the last few holocrons that have been eluding you.

OXM’s Achievement Review
In OXM’s achievement review, you’ll discover the best, worst, easiest, and hardest achievements in the game.

Sources: Xbox360Achievement.org, Official Xbox Magazine

LucasArts revealed to Kotaku this morning that Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be getting its first DLC (downloadable content) soon!  It will include a brand-new level set in the Jedi Temple, and new playable characters.

In the Jedi Temple level, which is shorter then Raxus Prime but longer than Cloud City, the Secret Apprentice goes to the Jedi Temple in search of more information on his father.  I’m guessing that this level is set after the Kashyyyk level, but before the end of the game.  According to LucasArts, the new level will include a bit more of the plot.

In addition, you will be able to play as four new characters in the campaign: Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Kit Fisto.  You will be able to activate these characters through the costumes menu, just like PROXY, Bail Organa, etc.

Hayden Blackman, executive producer on TFU, also left open the possibility more more DLC in the future:

"We brainstormed a ton of locations," he said. "There’s easily another two dozen we could make into levels. This is a good way to continue the story."

"I wouldn’t rule out any future content [for] The Force Unleashed."

Does this mean that the rumors were true?  A few months ago, there were rumors that three sets of DLC were planned for TFU.  Supposedly, one of the DLC packs would contain multiplayer for the Xbox 360 (and possibly the PlayStation 3).  According to the rumor, it would be released sometime in early 2009.  Now, is this true?  I have no idea.  But it’s definitely a possibility!

There is currently no scheduled release date for the DLC.  It is also unknown how much, if at all, it will cost.  The DLC will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game.

UPDATE: StarWars.com just put up an article as well.  They say that the DLC will be split into two parts.  The new characters will be released soon, but we’ll have to wait a little while for the Jedi Temple level.

Source: Kotaku, StarWars.com

For the second week in a row, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is the best selling game in the UK!  Though sales have dropped 38% since last week, TFU still managed to beat out popular games like Wii Fit.

Top 5 Games in the UK:

01.   Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (LucasArts)
02.   Wii Fit (Nintendo)
03.   Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)
04.   Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway (Ubisoft)
05.   Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 (EA)

Head on over to EDGE for the full Top 10 and all the details.

Source: EDGE

NJOE just discovered on Sue Rostoni’s blog some comments by her about the upcoming novels announced recently, which can be found right here.  It includes lots of teasers for the books, and offers definitely more information on them - we’ll be sure to get more information as it develops. 

Source: NJOE, Sue Rostoni’s Blog

GameSpot recently uploaded a trailer for Lucasarts’ upcoming Nintendo DS exclusive game “The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance.” You can view the new trailer below. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance” is due out November 11.

Source: Gamespot.com

DarkHorse.com has released a preview of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #34. The issue is part 3 of the story arc Vindication, and is written by John Jackson Miller with art by Brian Ching. A link for the preview can be found here, and the issue is due out October 22.

Source: DarkHorse.com

Star Wars.com has released a press statement featuring the directors and writers of the first episode of “The Clone Wars” entitled “Ambush” and they really talk it up. Here’s an excerpt:

” In “Ambush,” the premiere of Lucasfilm Animation’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars, episode director David Bullock (”Justice League: The New Frontier”) and writer Steve Melching (”The Batman”) recall the Yoda of The Empire Strikes Back. This first episode of the brand-new, CG-animated series airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Oct. 3 on Cartoon Network.

In the episode, Jedi Master Yoda and three clone troopers must face off against Count Dooku’s dreaded assassin Asajj Ventress and her massive droid army to prove the Jedi are strong enough to protect a strategic planet and forge a treaty for the Republic.”

You can read the entire release talking about the first episode here.

General Shownotes:

-Giant Book Discussion.

-We discuss the Del-Rey 45 book contract.

-Del-Rey a good choice?

-Use of new authors good?

-Is 45 too many, too few?

-Post-LOTF discussion.

-We talk about Blood Oath.

-Discussion of Fate of the Jedi series.

-Quick discussion of other new books, including Bane 3 and Jaden Korr novel.

-Nathan Butler shares his thoughts on the contract.

- Announcement of a new EUCast crew member and reminder for the EUCast Announcer Contest

-And much, much more!

Contact Information:

Email: eucast@eucantina.net

Voice-Mail: 206-203-4476 (Please feel free to leave a voice-mail with comments on anything we discuss in the episode or just leave feedback/suggestions for the show)

Send a good quality MP3/WAV file to eucast@eucantina.net

Follow us on Twitter and/or become our friend on Myspace!

Please feel free to vote for us once a month on Podcast Alley!

Discuss this episode in the EUChatter section on our forums.

 

 EUCast Episode 36 - 45 is the new 30 [77:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Twice a month, Official Xbox Magazine runs a column on their site called The Scoreboard.  The Scoreboard does not review games based on their game play and other technical aspects, but on their achievements.  Being a huge Star Wars fan, gamer, and achievement collector, I wrote an achievement review for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and sent it in.  The achievement review is featured in OXM’s The Scoreboard #19.

Here’s a quick summary:

Best Achievement: Apprentice, Sith Warrior, Sith Lord, and Sith Master.
Worst Achievement: Lightning Shield Mastery.
Easiest Achievement: Frenzy.
Hardest Achievement: Sith Trials.
Time Investment vs. Payoff: 7 (out of ten).
Overall: 8 (out of ten).

To read the entire review, head on over here.  (Note: it is the third review on the second page.)

Source: Official Xbox Magazine