LucasArts and Bioware Corp. have sent word that they have entered an agreement to create what appears to be a new game. No further details were announced, although the two promised that more information for this new product will be released in the near future. LucasArts president Jim Ward had this to say regarding the partnership:

LucasArts has a deep commitment to developing compelling stories and characters for the unique medium of interactive entertainment, and we have been searching for a developer that shares this value. We found this in BioWare. Through our previous collaborations, we know that BioWare has an impressive ability to blend gripping stories with technological advancements, and we believe that our upcoming product will deliver an experience that will span the traditional boundaries of video game entertainment.

We know what you're thinking (nope, we ain't Jedi) - could this new project possibly be the Star Wars MMORPG that BioWare's been rumored to be working on as far back as last year? It's a little too early to tell at this point, but given that the original Star Wars Galaxies MMORPG (developer by Sony Online Entertainment) has been struggling lately due to its past updates, we imagine this news leaves the longtime fans with a sense of new hope (pardon the pun).

On the other hand, we could also be looking at a new non-online RPG, hopefully within the lines of a KOTOR sequel. It might be a little redundant, though, given that LucaArts is already working on Star Wars: The Force unleashed for the Sony PSP, Sony PS3, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360. We'll let you know when the pair releases more info.

The Australian games industry is booming; employment has grown 60% making the term booming appear like an understatement. But regardless of that, game publishers are sure taking note of it. Improvement isn't a one way street, the industry is swelling because gamers are doing their share and are supporting them. With that, Lucasarts Australia is giving Aussies more games to support and appreciate.

A month back, we reported about the Star Wars Best of PC which will contain, Star Wars: Empire at War, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars Battlefront, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Star Wars Republic Commando, and a bonus 14-day trial of Star Wars Galaxies. That's some package and Aussies would also get their hands on it.

It will be released down under this coming holiday with a SRP of AU$ 89.95. Surely, Australian Star Wars fanatics will be having a field day over this development.

Nothing definite from the Lords of the Sith, er, Jedi Council, er, LucasArts about this. In an interview with BusinessWeek.com last week, LucasArts VP for marketing Nancy MacIntyre says that "We’ve also got Star Wars franchises like Knights of the Old Republic and Battle Front that we will not leave behind. It’s very important to us that we grow those franchises."

To us, as we probe the mysteries of the Force, there are no definitive conclusions that could be drawn from this. We CAN interpret that LucasArts is very much interested in continuing the KOTOR storyline, but because MacIntyre didn't divulge details beyond that, we don't know when or how, or where it would appear. The few comments at BusinessWeek, as well as Helm Games (which also recently reported on this), are looking forwards to a sequel, alright. But again, nothing definite.

It is notable that no mention was made of BioWare, the original dev behind Knights of the Old Republic for the Xbox, or Obsidian Entertainment, who took over the reins for KOTOR II. Unless LucasArts plans on taking it all, in-house. This could all be an unsubstantiated rumor, if it were not for the fact that a LucasArts VP is talking to a reputable business glossy (and its online iteration). So it looks like, at least, we're looking at long-term plans for the KOTOR franchise, with details to surface well, maybe next year?

Unless we have here a rep who spoke out of line, in which case we sense a great disturbance in the Force. Maybe not, and besides, KOTOR is one d**n good game to continue. Especially since it happened an even longer time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, which leaves a heck of a lot of room for sequel development without messing up much in the Star Wars continuity.