Skip to main content

Sony says Star Wars 1313 is coming to PlayStation 3, Lucasarts says slow down

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The next-generation of video game technology rumbled across the horizon of 2012, teasing new technology across the year. Big budget game makers like Ubisoft, Konami, and Electronic Arts tantalized with teases of games like Watch Dogs, Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, and Battlefield 4, all games “targeted” at current gen console fans, but also thought by most to be heading to a wave of machines still only rumored. One of the most discussed titles of this next wave of possible next-gen launch titles has been Star Wars 1313. Most assumed that it was destined for a next-gen release, but according to one Sony subsidiary, LucasArts’ next Star Wars video game won’t just be for Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4. It will also find a home on PlayStation 3.

Sony’s official German Facebook page announced that Star Wars 1313, the tech demo that caused a stir amongst jaded E3 2012 attendees thanks to its novel take on the fiction as well as its impressive graphics, would be released on PlayStation 3 by the end of the year. That statement was the first confirmation from any source as to what platform Star Wars 1313 would be released for since developer Lucasarts has been reticent to discuss even the PC specifications that might be required to run it.

Recommended Videos

The site backpedalled from its initial claim though, posting shortly thereafter that no platform had been announced for Star Wars 1313. “Since we are gamers, we hope of course for a release of the game on one of our PlayStation platforms, and wanted to emphasize that with pictures. So sorry again for the excitement!”

LucasArts also followed up with Kotaku. “[That] was an inaccurate post. We have not confirmed any platforms yet for 1313 and do not have any announcements to make at this time.”

It seems that SCEE’s German outfit made an honest mistake in the case, but it’s likely that Star Wars 1313 will appear on current consoles regardless of what platform it’s primarily built for. LucasArts only rarely develops its own tent pole releases, and when it does it maximizes their potential for profit. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was the studio’s last signature product. The game was teased in tech demos years before its 2008 release, demonstrating its advanced physics engine. While the game did sport said physics in its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 release, Lucasarts also developed a downgraded edition of the game for PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii, and Sony’s PSP. Even if LucasArts isn’t willing to confirm Star Wars 1313 for PlayStation 3 this week, it’s still a likely candidate for the console.

Anthony John Agnello
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Anthony John Agnello is a writer living in New York. He works as the Community Manager of Joystiq.com and his writing has…
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the culmination of the series’ rocky gaming history
Jedi Cal Kestis.

I've played Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's Coruscant heist opening multiple times at this point, and every time I play it, I can't help but think about what could've been with Star Wars 1313, the franchise's most infamous canceled game. 
The idea of an Uncharted-like game about Boba Fett fighting throughout the Coruscant underworld is such an excellent pitch that I've grieved the loss of a game I never even had a chance to play for over a decade. Playing through Survivor's opening doesn't elicit feelings of disappointment about 1313, though. Instead, I feel happy that at least some fraction of that idea was able to be realized.

Survivor's Metroidanvia-like level design and Lightsaber-and-Force-based combat are much different than what was promised from 1313. However, the idea of cleverly climbing and fighting across a seedy-looking level of Coruscant during a heist was still realized. Reflecting on the lost project ahead of this year's Star Wars Day, I had a revelation about Respawn Entertainment's latest game. Despite technically being a sequel to just Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor feels like the culmination of over a decade of Star Wars games, both released and canceled, that came before.
A walk through Star Wars gaming history
Growing up, two of my favorite video games were the original Star Wars: Battlefront II and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. To this day, 2005's Battlefront II is my favorite game of all time, not only because of all the great memories that I had with it but also because it feels like an authentic Star Wars simulator where multiple eras, planets, and characters are preserved in incredible detail. Survivor feels like it has the same keen attention to detail.
Players may not visit as many planets as they do in Battlefront II, but each location in Survivor is densely packed with content and immaculately packed with detailed environments and characters that faithfully represent the High Republic, prequel, and Imperial eras. While the aesthetics feel as detailed as Battlefront, the gameplay fantasy pulls more from The Force Unleashed.

Read more
All perks in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Cal Kestis with BD-1 droid on his shoulder.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has a wide variety of skills to learn alongside its five unique lightsaber stances, ensuring you have no shortage of ways to customize your playstyle. The addition of perks bumps up those options even further, granting you the ability to equip badges that improve certain aspects of protagonist Cal Kestis' kit, such as increasing XP earned or improving his ability to break the guard of his foes. Some are found by exploring, while others are purchased from a particular vendor and unlocked fairly early in the game. A handful of perks are unlocked only after beating the game and starting New Game Plus.

Each of these perks uses a certain number of perk slots when equipped, so you'll have to make some tough decisions about which ones you want to have active at any one time. Luckily, exploring the galaxy will net you some additional perk slots, so you'll be able to equip more as you get further in your adventure. Even with all of the perk slots unlocked, however, you'll still want to strongly consider which perks will benefit you best. We'll make that a bit easier on you by listing all of the perks you can find in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, what boons they offer, and how many perk slots they'll take up.
Perks discovered by exploring
These perks are found by thoroughly exploring the world and completing objectives. You may have to overcome some pretty tough challenges to find them all.

Read more
All lightsaber stances in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Jedi Cal Kestis.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor takes place five years after its predecessor, and Cal Kestis has definitely gained some new Jedi tricks during the time that has passed. While there are some returning features that you're likely to recognize and appreciate, there are also a wide variety of new mechanics, skills, and more to check out in this highly anticipated follow-up. Among those new additions are an expanded set of lightsaber stances that allow you to decide what kind of fighter you want Cal to be. Whether you want to strike fast at the cost of defense, take things slower with bolstered protection, or find the middle ground between the two, you have five options that can ensure you'll find what works for you.
How to change stances
You can have two stances equipped at one time, and switching between them can be done on the fly, allowing you to weave together different elements of your two chosen kits. However, you can only change stances at a meditation point, so you'll need to be sure that you've thought things through pretty well before heading out into dangerous areas. To help you with your decision-making, here are all of the stances in Jedi Survivor and how they work.
Single Blade Stance

This stance is unlocked from the beginning of the game.

Read more