Books : The Art and Making of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

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by: Haden Blackman, Brett Rector

: The Art and Making of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

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Binding: Paperback
Brand: Random House
Dewey Decimal Number: 794.8
EAN: 9781933784250
ISBN: 1933784253
Label: Insight Editions
Manufacturer: Insight Editions
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 160
Publication Date: August 19, 2008
Publisher: Insight Editions
Release Date: August 19, 2008
Sales Rank: 100474
Studio: Insight Editions



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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
The Star Wars saga continues! The Force Unleashed: Art of the Game chronicles the four-year development of the anxiously awaited, action-packed video game (releasing April 2008) developed by LucasArts from conception to completion. The book reveals innovative game design concept and images, three-dimensional renders, and behind-the-scenes photos. The Force Unleashed game casts players as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice" and promises to unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy. The expansive story, created under direction from George Lucas, is set during the unexplored era between Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The game re-imagines the scope and scale of the Force by taking full advantage of new technologies that will be seen and experienced for the first time, such as Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) by Pixelux Entertainment and euphoria by NaturalMotion Ltd., paired with the powerful Havok Physics (TM) system. These new technologies create gameplay only possible on the new generation of consiles. DMM incorporates the physical properties of objects in the environment so that every element reacts exactly as it should--wood breaks like wood, glass shatters like glass, Felucian plants bend in their unique way, and more. Meanwhile, as a revolutionary behavioral-simulation engine, euphoria enables interactive characters to move, act, and even think like actual human beings, adapting their behavior and resulting in a different response every single time. Well before its release, The Force Unleashed game is already buzzing on blogs and gamer websites, at gamer conferences, and among Star Wars fans. LucasArts is fully backing the promotion of the game to the tens of millions of Star Wars fans around the world.



Customer Reviews
Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Outstanding and Insighful
About the Book:
This is an outstanding example of conceptual design as applied to game development. The book also shows the exhaustive amount of work that went into designing the game, which is something that, as in the movies, often goes unnoticed. As with most large productions it also reveals the frustrations and growing pains of coordinating different teams/skillsets and bringing this game to life, including getting the concepts approved by George Lucas and LucasArts.

The book is well put together, It is very comprehensive, and includes chapters illustrating the evolution of main characters as well as environments. The writing style is casual, almost written as a journal (which is sort of what it is, a visual production journal, that is).

Digital Painting:
One thing that is interesting about this book and that most collectors of Star Wars, "The Making of" art books will notice is that all the artwork in this book has been painted or more accurately, sketched, digitally (probably done in Photoshop or Corel Painter). There is no traditional media used. This is simply a reflection of the state of the art in concept design, especially in the gaming industry.

The Finished Game:
Even though I have only briefly played the game on the XBox, I was able to see the result of the game design team's labor and gave me a greater appreciation for the amount of work that went into putting it together. I was highly impressed by all the technological advances introduced in this game. There are some truly impressive and groundbreaking technologies being introduced in this game.

My Only Disappointment:
My only disappointment with the book, if there is anything worth mentioning, is the binding. Whoever printed this book did a terrible job of binding it. I had to return the first copy of the book I bought because after one week, the binding was falling apart. Even my current copy is falling apart, so I am going to have to re-glue it myself. Apparently this is a common problem, because at the Borders store where I had bought the book, they had other copies that were also falling apart. Other than that, I highly recommend this book to any fan of Star Wars or of concept design/game design in general.


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars - Free Book with Collector Cards
This art book shows the fantastic conceptual art created for Star Wars The Force Unleashed video game.
I was so looking forward to this book, however when it did arrive there was one glaring problem which can not be overlooked.

Some genius decided it would be a great idea to include two envelopes with collector cards inside, firmly stuck to pages 58 and 86 these are not removable without damaging the pages.
So now when you decide to take a look, it automatically opens up to pages 58 or 86 there is no pleasure in reading this book.

I have contacted the Insight Editions to raise this issue with them, they have replied thanking me for raising the issue and they will forward my email to the correct department.
I have not heard back from them about changing the collector card issue.

Why do something like this? Firstly I am not interested in the collector cards, I would have preferred another 10 pages of artwork instead.
Secondly if they must include collector cards fasten them to the back inside cover.

Sorry about that but had this book not included those cards attached onto the pages I would have given this book four stars, it truly spoils the enjoyment of just thumbing through seeing and reading it.

Otherwise it is a great book with a great insight into the various stages of development, mostly hand sketches and roughs are shown I would have liked to have seen more final renders as well as stills from the final game and video sequences used in the game.

I suggest anyone who purchased this book or considering purchasing this book, contact Insight Editions and get them to change this foolish decision.


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars - Great Art Poor Binding, and What Is Up With the Trading Cards
This book has a lot of nice art in it, and is a great reference for anyone interested in the design process. However I ordered my first one, and the next day after some really light page turning, the front cover completely detatched from the rest of the book. So I sent it back for a replacement, and upon receiving it two days later the same thing happened. I decided to just keep the second, and fix it myself because it is too good of a book not to have, but still WTF!


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Great, but i haven't read this yet!
I bought the book the same day when the game was released, so, i haven't finish this yet and i just take a sneak peek to the book.

But the book looks amazing, great concept art and some collectables inside.

Bought this for sure!


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Choked Full With Art and Insights
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2GX6YMYRUK8Q2 The Art and Making of Star Wars Force Unleashed brings you behind the scenes into the game development process, while staying close to artists' drawing boards.

This book is choked full with breathtaking concept art, character designs, diary entries and screenshots from the game. It features over 300 pieces of art work in 168 pages. On two pages are pasted paper pockets, with each containing 5 character cards.

If you've owned the "art of" series for the Star Wars movies, expect the same high quality environment paintings. But this one goes up one notch with beautiful page layouts. It's the art magazine type of layout, so the every page design is essentially art in itself. Great effort from the book designers.

The 6 chapters in the book explains the game creation process in depth. That's from the development of a concept, to the pitch and approval stage, next to character studies, then environment and finally the technology behind.

There are lots of nitty gritty details that you won't read on Internet interviews. The authors bring you to the cutting floor and let you read all about the discarded ideas.

After reading the book, you'll literally feel like you've worked with these people (most probably as an intern).

For Star Wars fans, you have no reasons not to get this book. For people interested in concept design and animation, this book has lots of insight for you. This book is a great source of inspiration.

Be careful of the binding though. The part where the cover meets page 1 seems like they will come apart in the future. Easily fixed by pasting some clear tape to fix the problem before it develops.

There are more pictures on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for my blog's link.

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