Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The First Xbox Live Enabled Star Wars Game: The Clone Wars!
If you missed the live chat with the team behind The Clone Wars, just read the chat transcript below.
Transcript:
XboxAtheis says: Hey all, thanks for joining us today—it's time for another Xbox Live chat. Joining us today are the developers of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, LucasArts and Pandemic Studios. For all of you who missed their bios the first time around, here's some info about our guests.
K.C. Coleman, Lead Tester, LucasArts
K.C. came out of school with a degree in broadcasting, but he wasn't quite ready for the career world. So he took a job moving furniture, which led him to teaching grade-school P.E., and then finally working as a cameraman. That job provided K.C.'s ration of daily blood and gore and taught him a lot about what is considered "newsworthy." He's been at LucasArts for two years, and says that the perfect actor to play him in a film would be Chris Farley. As Farley is unavailable, K.C. thinks Jack Black would probably do. His favorite movie is Field of Dreamsand favorite album is Pearl Jam's Ten.
Greg Borrud, Director, Pandemic Studios
Greg was one of those kids who started programming on an Atari 800. Fast forward a coupla decades when he earned a degree in Directing and Producing for Film/TV and Theater, and then worked his way up at Activision from lead tester to director. Now he's one of the founders of Pandemic Studios, which opened its doors five years ago. His favorite game ever is FIFA Soccer, favorite film is Raising Arizona, and favorite album is Radiohead'sOK Computer. If there were to be a motion picture made of his life, Bill Gates would play Greg in a live-action film, but Dudley Do-Right would take the role in an animated feature.
Dax Berg, Level Designer, Pandemic Studios
Dax! Dax! Such a cool name. Say it with me now: Dax! Yes, it's his real name, and wackier yet his best friend's name is also Dax. And boy does Dax LOVE his video games. He told us that way back in the day, "I would spend 20 minutes staring at the monitor waiting for the old Bruce Lee video game to load from my C64 Cassette Drive." His favorite game of all time is The Addams Familypinball machine, in an alternate universe he'd be starting goalkeeper for Chelsea, and one time when he worked in a butcher shop he unknowingly fed his finger to a customer!
XboxAtheis says: So Dax… what's up with the finger story?
Pandemic_Dax says: In short.. I worked at a meat market and the lady there ask me to slice this meat product thing
Pandemic_Dax says: so I did and I sliced a big chunk of my finger off...
<crowd getting queasy>
Pandemic_Dax says: but I ran to the emergency room and forgot to tell the people there
Pandemic_Dax says: so they finished slicing the meat product for the lady.. (with the piece of my finger still in it)
<crowd visibly shaken but entertained>
XboxAtheis says: Ok, good enough. We should probably move on before everyone has to run to the sink.
XBW|Mike in Xbox_Live asks: How long wasClone Wars in development?
LucasArts_KC says: From a Testing standpoint we had roughly 4 months.
Pandemic_Greg says: We started working on the game in November of 2001. The tough part of making the game was that - being an Episode II game - we had to try to get info while they were making the movie.
Pandemic_Greg says: We were often creating assets for the game before they were ever made for the movie (Like the Super Battle Droid)
Pandemic_Greg says: We wrapped up the Gamecube version in oct. and started working on the Xbox version then. Perhaps KC can fill you in on what was happening on the testing side of things
LucasArts_KC says: Thanks Greg, we started in late December and went straight through till early this month. It was quite a challenging schedule. Lot's of overtime.
Mastermind in Xbox_Live asks: What is your favorite vehicle?
LucasArts_KC says: I'd have to say its a tie between the IFT and the Wheeltank. The ramming weapon on the Wheeltank is by far my favorite way to kill someone.
Pandemic_Dax says: I love the IFT! ( The Republic Tank) The IFT is to me the core of the game. It is the most maneuverable and to me feel the best as far as control goes. But other than in the Star wars universe.
Pandemic_Dax says: I would love to have a 1968 Ferrari GTO that might give the IFT a run for its money.
XboxAtheis says: I think the Bugatti Veyron is scrumptious...
Pandemic_Greg says: The walker...easy. Good weapons and a shield. I can pretty much kick everyones ass (especially KC's) with the walker
Pandemic_Dax says: BTW.. I love KC.. he is so nice and cuddly... (How's that buddy?)
Madchildforlife in Xbox_Live asks: Will you guys add speeder bikes to use online?
Pandemic_Dax says: No.. We worked with Speeder bikes early in the Dev cycle, and tried to ingrate them but they really didn't give us the feel that we wanted alongside other vehicles.
XBOXXBOXXBOX in Xbox_Live asks: As developers what features of Xbox do you like the most?
Pandemic_Greg says: I think the voice chat is the best. I'm also a big fan of the leaderboards. It's great to see how you are doing compared to everyone else.
LucasArts_KC says: Gotta be the headset. Talking the smack to the other players is, for me, the best part.
Pandemic_Dax says: I love the Feedback section.. it keeps my lewdness in check!
Jeff_17 in Xbox_Live asks: What do we have coming for downloadable content and when?
Pandemic_Greg says: We've been wrapping up the d/l content and I think they will start releasing in about a month or so (once everything has been thoroughly tested). We have mostly been focused on creating new maps that will be available for d/l.
Pandemic_Greg says: Dax - why don't you describe the kinds of things we have been working on for the new maps
Pandemic_Dax says: The downloadable maps will have a bit more "pulleys and levers" to say also some of the Conquest Downloadable maps will be a slightly larger in scale.
Pandemic_Greg says: I'd look for something to come out around a month from now - and we are always looking for feedback so any ideas for new maps are always appreciated
Crazyotto in Xbox_Live asks: What's up with the Leader Board? I really have to scroll down 1000's of pl to find my G.Tag?
XboxAtheis says: Try not to suck so bad.
LucasArts_KC says: Hitting the [Y] button should switch between Friends, Top, and your gamertag.
XboxAtheis says: sorry. just kidding!
PredatorX in Xbox_Live asks: The leaderboard reset my score! Whats up?
Pandemic_Greg says: There are three different leaderboards for each game mode - weekly, monthly, and overall. Unfortunately some of the wrong ones got reset over the weekend. MS is fixing the problem now and will hopefully have it sorted out soon.
Pandemic_Greg says: If you switch through to see the different boards you will see the overall stats are still there
XBW|Jordo in Xbox_Live asks: Who's the best in Clone Wars in the team?
Pandemic_Dax says: I would give that award to K.C. That man is insane in a Walker.. I am actually know around here for NOT being the best player, in fact I get my controller handed to me most of the time..
LucasArts_KC says: ME. Period. End of story. All others will bow before me and kiss the ground that I walk on.
Pandemic_Dax says: And KC is so humble.. thats the best part about him.
toast in Xbox_Live asks: will you charge for DLC?
Pandemic_Greg says: No
FiShKiD in Xbox_Live asks: Whats up with the continue button?
Pandemic_Greg says: We wanted to have a continue button so you could replay the game with the same people but we ran out of time with that feature. We understand that everyone is very interested in this feature so we will look into adding it sometime in the future.
Pandmic_Dax says: Yeah on that one it just came down to time.. I had wished we could have a series of continued games but the time could not support it.
RefriedNoodle in Xbox_Live asks: How much more testing does it take for a Live-enabled game than for a regular console-based game?
LucasArts_KC says: Well it's really like adding a whole other game on top of the original game. No one at LucasArts had ever done a Live game and thus it was a big learning experience. To do what we did in 4 months is no small feat.
Boneyard in Xbox_Live asks: what are the ratings based on?
Pandemic_Greg says: There are three different types of ratings
Pandemic_Greg says: Academy is the simplest and it is just the high score you get for the game
Pandemic_Greg says: Conquest awards you a certain amount of points depending upon your finish in the game and the number of players in the game. You also get bonus points for kills. So the best you can do is win an eight player game and have a lot of kills
Pandemic_Greg says: Sorry - that last one was Control Zone and not Conquest
Pandemic_Greg says: Conquest and Duel use a modified ELO system. The ELO system is a system that is often used for online rankings
Pandemic_Greg says: It compares the abilities of the different people who are playing
Pandemic_Dax says: CQ is on a per win game basis.. and Duel is on a per kill basis
Pandemic_Greg says: In Duel - everytime you get a kill - it compares your rating with the person you just killed. It then using a formula to adjust your score up and the other players down. If you kill someone who is rated extremely high on the boards your rating will go
Pandemic_Greg says: up more. If you kill someone who is rated very low - your rating will not go up very much.
Pandemic_Greg says: With Conquest - it uses a team average for the ratings and then compares the winning team with the losing team
Silver in Xbox_Live asks: Which Gametype is your favorite To Play?
Pandemic_Dax says: Conquest.. That is the mode which I devoted most of my time on giving the player a unique gaming experience.. but I enjoy CZ alot as well
LucasArts_KC says: Conquest. I dominate all the other gametypes, but with CQ there's so many ways to win it's always a challenge..
Pandemic_Dax says: We (The Pandemic team) would play against KC and the testers.. if we even cam close we considered a victory..
Pandemic_Dax says: Its like they play this game for a living... *sigh*
bane in Xbox_Live asks: have you been to the lucas ranch?
Pandemic_Greg says: Yep - I went up there a couple times during development. Skywalker Sound did all the sound for the game and they are located at the ranch. It is a very cool place - and the secuirty was very tight. Looks like it would be a fun place to work!
LucasArts_KC says: A couple times. Contrary to popular belief we're not actually located at The Ranch. Just down the street. Quite a magical place.
Mastermind in Xbox_Live asks: what are your guys gamertags so we can battle it out ?
LucasArts_KC says: You will know my name when you're asking yourself "who just killed me!?!" Muhahahahahahahahahaha!
Crazyotto in Xbox_Live asks: when i host my "connect" is most time 2 bars... 5 bars "all green" when i optimatch... allmost like UC, is there AoA issues?
Pandemic_Greg says: There is a difference between hosting a joining. Since our game is a client/server it is important that you are a good host with good upspeed bandwidth. If you see two bars when you are the host - you are probably not a very good host.
Pandemic_Greg says: The bars by the host's name show how good his upstream bandwidth is. The bars by all the other players show how good their connection is to the host. The most important piece of info though is definitely the host's upstream. 5 bars green is the best
Pandemic_Greg says: And if the connection starts to go bad during the game - you'll see 1 or two bars pop up in the right hand corner of the screen. That way you know there is something going on with the connection. This usually clears up in a couple of seconds.
XBW|Mirik in Xbox_Live asks: It's not out yet in Europe, is there still work being done on the EU version, or when is it coming out as far as you know?
Pandemic_Dax says: I think is I remember correctly the EU release date is May 9th.. I know it is done and has already gone gold.. Some of the Online Interface work for the EU was difficult butin the end It work out quite well.. Everything has also to my knowledge been approved by Microsoft.
Madchildforlife in Xbox_Live asks: Whats yall favorite Star Wars movie?
LucasArts_KC says: Empire. "Scoop of chocolate scoop of vanilla, don't waste my time."
Pandemic_Greg says: EP3
Pandemic_Dax says: EP. V
Pandemic_Dax says: and not the revamped digital one where Luke "slips and falls" instead of killing himself
Pandemic_Dax says: Man that always bothered me.
OpTik in Xbox_Live asks: Can US play with EU?
Pandemic_Greg says: Yes they can - So we should get some interesting conversations happening after May 9th when the EU versions are released.
Jeff_17 in Xbox_Live asks: Have any of you guys met George Lucas?
Pandemic_Dax says: I saw him at the grocery store once in San Rafael.. does that count??
LucasArts_KC says: A few times. I don't think he likes me.
Silver in Xbox_Live asks: Is there any way to stop or counter the missiles from the outposts of conquest?
LucasArts_KC says: You can't shoot the missiles down but the best way to stop someone who's bombarding you is by bombarding them back. Fight fire with fire. Another way is to take out their Sheild Generator, that should distract them long enough to begin an assault.
Pandemic_Dax says: If one guy plays full defense and stay by the shield generator.. he can constantly recharged the shield plus keep attacker as bay.. you have to organize your team to play both sides and the missile is not nearly as effective
Pandemic_Dax says: If you don't play as a team and don't watch if your shield is down, missles will sneek up on you
Pandemic_Greg says: Coordinating your attacks are key. You can beat anyone with the missiles - but you have to work together as a team. Someone on missiles - someone on base defense - and someone attacking/grabbing outposts. Getting AI guys to help is crucial.
Pandemic_Greg says: To send all of your AI troops - dock into the HQ and set the AI to attack the enemy. After that - any AI that is built will attack the enemy base
Pandemic_Dax says: Also if you want to make an all out attack.. go to the Tactical System at your HQ that gives global commands
kicker in Xbox_Live asks: So what do you guys do when you finish up a release to celebrate?
Pandemic_Dax says: sleep
Pandemic_Greg says: drink
LucasArts_KC says: I took a week off and slept for 6 days...then played games for 24 hours straight before going back monday. I'm a loser...I know.
bane in Xbox_Live asks: are you guys going to be at E3?
Pandemic_Dax says: I will.. but just in the masses, last year we promoed the game, this year we are off the clock so to speak.
Bomberman447 in Xbox_Live asks: Where did you guys go to school to become developers?
LucasArts_KC says: I'll be at E3 with bells on. me and some people from work are doing a Road Rules Challenge on the way down in a big white van.
Pandemic_Dax says: Kansas State University.. double major in Tech Theater and Rhetoric Communication/Pre-Law
Pandemic_Dax says: so a pre law degree did me leaps and bounds for my video game career ..lol
LucasArts_KC says: I went to a small college in Oregon. Video games are the reason it took me 5 years to get out of college. Again, I know...I'm a loser.
Pandemic_Greg says: School is great for getting into games - but the key is to decide what you want to do. There are basically four areas. Production, Design, art, and programming. Depending on what you want to focus on - you should go to school for that.
Pandemic_Dax says: I owned my own Game store for about 5 years though.. that's where I really got into the business side of games
Mastermind in Xbox_Live asks: is there a sequel already in the works?
LucasArts_KC says: Don't look at me. I know nothing of any sequel...Greg?
Pandemic_Dax says: Greg.. you take that one
Pandemic_Greg says: I can't really talk about what we are working on. Lucas makes us keep quiet about those things until they are ready to announce them. Let's just say we have been working on something for several months now and it is starting to look awesome.
Pandemic_Greg says: Online 'could' be a big part of this new game I wouldn't call it a sequel exactly - but we'll have more info for you shortly.
RefriedNoodle in Xbox_Live asks: Dax, your bio says you are an Addams fan. What's your personal high score?
Pandemic_Dax says: 374 million
Pandemic_Dax says: If anyone has a Addams Family Pinball game for sale let me know.
Bigbird in Xbox_Live asks: if i beat kc in conquest do i get a game?
Pandemic_Dax says: That would never happen
Pandemic_Dax says: trust me..
LucasArts_KC says: Bring it. If you beat me I'll drive the game to your house and shake your hand while I cry in defeat. You can't be serious man...
LucasArts_KC says: Actually there are a lot better Conquest players than me. Jeff Gullett and Patrick Bratton (fellow Testers) are unreal.
GojiKaze5 in Xbox_Live asks: Do you guys ever jump into Live for gaming with the plebes or is it all in-house?
Pandemic_Dax says: Yeah we are in there all of the time.. the first day was non-stop
Pandemic_Greg says: We have an xbox in the middle of our team area so there is almost always someone from our team playing.
Pandemic_Greg says: But they all use the same gamertag - so if you see someone who plays really good one game and then sucks the next game - it is probably us.
XboxAtheis says: Now might be a good time to plug our Xbox Live Ultimate Championship, which involvesClone Wars and free trips to E3! Go to http://www.xbox.com/live/tournaments for more information.
LucasArts_KC says: I actually jumped in a few days ago to see how the tourney was going. I whooped up on some people in a duel and they all quit when I was up 9 kills. All this talk has got me a little fired up, I may need to make an appearance TODAY!
Takoma in Xbox_Live asks: If you could be any Jedi in the SW universe, who would you choose and why?
LucasArts_KC says: Well Anakin is the obvious choice because not only does he get to be Vader, but...well...Amidala is really hot.
Pandemic_Dax says: I would say Emp Palpatine (I would go for all the power)
LucasArts_KC says: Either that or Obi-Wan. He just flat out rulz.
Pandemic_Dax says: And don't forget.. I once saw George shopping in San Rafel!
Silver in Xbox_Live asks: How many waves are there in the Academy Game? I cannot beat wave 18!
Pandemic_Dax says: There are 20 waves.. 18 , 19 and 20 are very VERY hard.. at that point the games flips and the waves start over, but they are harder
Pandemic_Dax says: Also.. the games differ per number of players.. If you really think you have good skills.. play a 4 player game then let the other 3 players die
Pandemic_Dax says: that gets real tough...
Mastermind in Xbox_Live asks: any advice for the n00bs out there ?
Pandemic_Dax says: Academy.. is a good place to practice
Pandemic_Dax says: Also really fun to play with others as a team to see how far you can get..
Pandemic_Greg says: Play the single player as well as multiplayer. It's important to get used to the controls and single player is a great way to do that.
LucasArts_KC says: Get into a small game first and get used to the environments. Each level has distinct advantages as does each craft. Then when you are ready, send out an invite to some friends and take them apart.
Pandemic_Greg says: Start with the fighter tank. it is the easiest to control - and then work up from there.
Pandemic_Dax says: In single player Academy (in multi-splitscreen) after you finish wave 20 there is a special bonus phase.. It is only for 1 player though.. who has beat AC on 1 player?
LucasArts_KC says: Stay away from big Conquest games until you are VERY familiar with the gameplay and the levels. And when in danger...BOOST!!
Pandemic_Greg says: and when you get the disintegration field powerup - start running into people and they will die on contact.
Pandemic_Dax says: I once one free tickets to the Ice-capades when I was a kid!!
LucasArts_KC says: Two words: CIRCLE STRAFE.
kicker in Xbox_Live asks: Dax, what finger are you lacking ?
Pandemic_Dax says: I have them all.. but my left index finger has a good slice taken out of it..
XboxAtheis says: What a way to end – just as we began. Hey guys - that's all the time we have for today.
XboxAtheis says: Everyone, let's give a big "Thank You" to the guys from LucasArts and Pandemic Studios for joining us today!
LucasArts_KC says: Beware...KC is out there. Thanks again guys.
Pandemic_Greg says: Thanks everyone for joining in on the chat. I hope you like the game and we hope to play you online sometime soon
Pandemic_Dax says: Yeah.. thanks for all of the questions guys.. I would give you all my GamerTag but I would feel the wrath of you all I am sure
Pandemic_Dax says: Ok... I gotta get back to work.. thanks again guys.. I wrote down some Gamer names.. I will look for you guys.
