Indiana Jones 2007 Press Releases

LUCASARTS AND PIXELUX REDEFINE ENVIRONMENTAL REALISM FOR NEXT-GENERATION INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Exclusive Digital Molecular Matter technology makes every structure in every game world react exactly as it would in real life

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 8, 2006 – LucasArts announced today that it has partnered with Pixelux Entertainment Inc. to include revolutionary Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) technology into all internal titles currently in development for next-generation video game consoles. DMM is exclusive to LucasArts beginning with Indiana Jones® 2007 [working title] and continuing with the next Star Wars® experience. This breakthrough in material physics will bring an unprecedented level of realism to next-gen projects by making completely interactive environments that react as they would in real life. From crumbling walls to shattering glass and even swaying organic plant life, in-game objects have material properties that behave realistically all in real time.

If a structure exists – big or small, dense or thin, floppy or rigid – DMM causes it to react in the same way dictated by reality. For example, unlike what you’d see in current-gen games, wood doesn’t simply break apart along a predetermined seam every time – rather, it splinters into countless pieces from the exact point of impact, also taking into account the amount of sheer force exerted. The same rules apply to any substance imaginable: Rubber bends and snaps back into place. Glass shatters. Crystal fractures. Stone crumbles. Carbonite (yes, the very alloy that encased Han Solo) dents.

With DMM in action, a Jedi unleashes the Force like never before. His violent Force push hurtles a helpless stormtrooper through a stone column, blasting it apart. Moments later, the sudden lack of support causes the building to smash to the ground, piece by piece. Meanwhile, a virtual Jabba the Hutt presides over his court, as rolls of gelatinous fat bounce and jiggle thanks to a body composed of DMM.

"Pixelux has been a fantastic partner in our effort to bring true next-generation gameplay to these new consoles," said Peter Hirschmann, vice president of product development at LucasArts. "Digital Molecular Matter enables us to deliver game worlds that feel truly dynamic and alive – we can pack in dramatically more gameplay per square foot than was ever possible with earlier hardware generations."

"When it comes to unlocking the potential of DMM – a technology that many engineers believe is still 10 to 15 years away – it's hard to beat opportunities like next-gen Indiana Jones and Star Wars," said Vik Sohal, chief operating officer at Pixelux. "Partnering with LucasArts is the perfect way to introduce DMM to the gaming public."

LucasArts will demonstrate DMM during a behind-closed-doors tech demo set in a galaxy far, far away on May 10-12 at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, CA.

LUCASARTS UNVEILS EXCITING NEW LINEUP FOR E3 2006

INDIANA JONES®, LEGO® STAR WARS™ II: THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY AND NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES HIGHLIGHT AN INNOVATIVE PRODUCT SLATE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 8, 2006 – Hot off of its most successful year in company history, LucasArts today officially revealed its lineup of titles on display at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), May 10-12 in Los Angeles, CA. From next-generation innovation in Indiana Jones 2007 [working title] to highly anticipated adventures in a galaxy far, far away (LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy and Star Wars® Empire at War™: Forces of Corruption™) and completely new intellectual properties such as Thrillville™ and Traxion™, LucasArts has something for everyone at E3 2006. The company will also showcase cutting-edge next-generation technology, including euphoria from NaturalMotion Ltd. and Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) from Pixelux Entertainment Inc.

"Last year was far and away the greatest of LucasArts' nearly 25 years as a company," said Jim Ward, president of LucasArts. "At E3 2006, we look to show the industry that 2005 was just a start -- we're only growing from there. With excellent games anchored by story and character, plus new intellectual properties and never-before-seen next-generation technology that will blow you away, this company's future has never looked brighter."

INDIANA JONES® 2007 [WORKING TITLE]
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™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and it also represents the first collaboration of talents and technology between LucasArts and Industrial Light & Magic, two companies now finally under one roof at the new Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco's Presidio district.

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. For the first time ever, euphoria enables interactive characters to move, act and even think like actual human beings, adapting their behavior on the fly and resulting in a different payoff every single time. This next-gen technology imbues Indy and his opponents with unparalleled environmental awareness and survival instincts. They'll stumble, then attempt to maintain their balance; brace themselves for falls, then get back up; and reach for nearby ledges when falling. Each action results in an authentic, varied performance every time.

Complementing euphoria will be Pixelux Entertainment's Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) technology, which brings a level of realism to next-gen games never seen before by making completely interactive environments that react as they would in real life. From crumbling walls to shattering glass and even swaying organic plant life, in-game objects have material properties that behave realistically all in real time.

Indiana Jones 2007 also features completely interactive Hot Set™ environments, where every setting is open-ended and completely destructible in a way that only next-generation consoles can deliver. Use your wits and daring to make each spring-loaded environment a weapon as you dispense of foes in clever and unexpected ways. Also, embark upon thrilling chase sequences that remain true to the spirit established in scenes such as Indy's pursuit of the motorcade in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the mine-cart scene in The Temple of Doom, and the free-for-all aboard the tank in The Last Crusade. Face Indy off against a devious longtime rival, reunite him with old friends, and meet more of his most trusted allies throughout the world.

LUCASARTS AND INDIANA JONES® WHIP INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT FORWARD WITH GROUNDBREAKING EUPHORIA TECHNOLOGY FROM NATURALMOTION LTD.

All in-game characters act like real people with this revolution in behavioral simulation, ensuring a different experience every time you play

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 27, 2006 – LucasArts announced today that Indiana Jones’ first expedition on Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 will feature the revolutionary euphoria behavioral-simulation engine from NaturalMotion Ltd., creators of the award-winning Dynamic Motion Synthesis (DMS) technology. For the first time ever, euphoria enables interactive characters – from Indiana Jones himself to the foes he pulverizes – to move, act and even think like actual human beings without the limitations of traditional animation. Characters move and adapt realistically to their given situations on the fly, resulting in a series of experiences and payoffs that will never be the same twice. As one of only two publishers with early access to the technology, LucasArts is well advanced in integrating euphoria into Indiana Jones’ 2007 next-generation adventure.

Imagine a swaying rope bridge. With euphoria in action, characters visibly attempt to balance themselves, their feet stumbling, their arms flailing, and their hands reaching for security as the unpredictable movements of the bridge threaten to send them plummeting to their doom. Perhaps they all survive. Perhaps they all fall. The use of euphoria means the action isn’t scripted – it’s simulated – so you’ll never be able to predict exactly what will happen, no matter how many times you’ve experienced a certain scenario.

“With euphoria, A.I. drives character behaviors so that there’s a different payoff every time. The depth of this character interaction gives us true next-gen gameplay that you simply couldn’t do with earlier generations of hardware,” said Peter Hirschmann, vice president of product development at LucasArts. “We’ve been working with NaturalMotion since 2004 to help bring their groundbreaking technology to games, and there’s no better character to demonstrate it than Indiana Jones.”

“We have big plans for euphoria, and we are absolutely thrilled to be able to show it off in the first next-generation release from LucasArts,” said Torsten Reil, CEO of NaturalMotion. “LucasArts is an excellent partner with a real passion to raise the bar for next-gen games, and we look forward to working with them to apply euphoria technology to its games for years to come.”

LucasArts will demonstrate euphoria in action when it debuts its next-generation Indiana Jones game on May 10-12 at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, CA.

About LucasArts
LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, CA, as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world’s leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company’s global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual-effects and audio post-production; and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm’s entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm’s entertainment properties and businesses. Lucasfilm’s motion-picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 53 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm’s television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

About NaturalMotion Ltd.
NaturalMotion Ltd. is the first company to create 3D character animation software based on Dynamic Motion Synthesis (DMS), a technology that utilizes Adaptive Behaviors and artificial intelligence to simulate the human nervous system. Based on Oxford University research on the control of body movements, NaturalMotion’s first product, endorphin synthesizes off-line 3D character animation in real time. With customers such as Sony, Capcom, Namco and Konami, endorphin has rapidly become the tool of choice for many leading games and visual effects artists creating high-end animation. euphoria, NaturalMotion’s latest technology, is a run-time animation technology for game play and development on next-generation platforms, including PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360™ and PC. Also based on NaturalMotion’s DMS technology, euphoria uses the CPUs of next-generation platforms to synthesize interactive animations on the fly, resulting in truly unique game moments that occur during the player’s experience. For further information on endorphin and euphoria please visit NaturalMotion’s website www.naturalmotion.com, or join the 20,000 endorphin LE users at community.naturalmotion.com.