Oh, fate, why are you such a cruel mistress? Okay, maybe I’m being a little dramatic but here is some cool (and disappointing to me personally) news I learned from my sister via Facebook. The next Star Wars movie will have parts filmed near Temple, Texas. This is a place I moved from just last year after being there for more than a decade. I could have had my chance to be an extra in an epic Star Wars film but no… they had to wait until I moved away. Now I live in the New York City area where you’d think I’d be in a better position for rubbing elbows with movie stars but anyone who’s ever been to Central Texas can tell you that part of the country definitely looks like it could be another planet. (I kid, I kid). Honestly, it’s a good location and it would…
Author: Lisa Clark
Fan Film: WAY TO THE REBELLION
Here’s a great story from Wong Fu Productions, a personal favorite of mine. In this fan film, Way to the Rebellion, we get the story of two seemingly unlikely heroes who get caught up in the battle between the Empire and the Rebellion. I won’t ruin the plot for you because really, this is a fantastic story. The acting is fluid and natural, the props and costumes are great, the filming and cinematography is professional-grade and the music is awesome too. All around, it’s just a great fan film. It hits all the check marks you want to see from a film like this. The story is intriguing and will leave you wanting more. The Empire is expanding. Now these heroes will join the fight. See the fan film yourself here: Watch Behind the Scenes: https://youtu.be/F1JNySh9zoU Written and Directed by Wesley Chan https://www.instagram.com/thewesleychan Featuring: Brandon Soo Hoo http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1317656/ https://www.instagram.com/brandonsoohoo Chris Dinh https://www.instagram.com/chrisdinh Rachel…
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Tops Domestic Gross after 168 Days
Star Wars: The Force Awakens has ended it’s domestic run in the theaters after 168 days, reaching an amazing $936,662,225 in total sales. This film has been breaking and making records left and right since its launch but it also helped Disney reach another goal. This is a new all-time record for Disney as it topped $1 Billion in sales in 128 days. Box Office Mojo explains: In just over four months, Disney’s domestic ticket sales in 2016 crossed $1 billion in a mere 128 days, a 37-day improvement on Universal’s record and the studio is showing no signs of slowing down. The record was achieved on May 7, 2016, just as Captain America: Civil War was in the midst of delivering the fifth largest opening weekend of all-time. Combined with Civil War, Disney’s animated smash hit Zootopia ($328M and counting) and the studio’s classic animated feature brought to life The Jungle…
Star Destroyers Compared – Star Wars Explained
Have you always wanted to learn more about the ships in Star Wars? Growing up a girl who wanted to be a pilot, this was one of my favorite parts of Star Wars. I won’t lie, I watched a young Anakin and daydreamed about pod-racing and I was also fascinated with all the ships in the Star Wars Universe. In this great video, you can learn more about all of the Star Wars destroyers found in the game. The video is only a little over 3 minutes long but it’s packed full of great info. Learn more about each destroyer, their class and size, the weapons they are loaded with, how many crew members they can carry, and much more. You’ll feel like a Star Wars destroyer pro in no time. If you’re just one of those fans who loves Star Wars stats, this is also a video that will…
Sabaacc Creative – Gaming App
A Sabacc gaming app is now available on your iOS or Android devices! Improve your skills in singleplayer, or take on other Sabacc enthusiasts in multiplayer mode! You can enjoy the most skillful card game in all of the galaxy and even play with friends. If you love Star Wars, love Sabaac and love fun games you can enjoy on your phone, this app is for you. It’s a great little app from Sabaac Creative that you can download on your phone and literally take with you wherever you go. If you want a fun, quality, immersive app to entertain you while you wait in line, ride the bus home, or just when you need a little something to pass the time, this app’s for you. About Sabaac Creative Sabacc Creative is a global gaming company reimagining social gaming with unique gameplay and innovative concepts. Our key project, Sabacc, has been…
EA GM Gives An Update on Upcoming Visceral and Motive ‘Star Wars’ Video Games
It’s been a busy year for EA and I can totally relate since it seems the months are rushing by for me. That said, it’s good to hear from EA about upcoming projects and games. We got an update this weekend from Jade Raymond, the Group General Manager of Motive Studios and Visceral Games. It sounds exciting: “With EA PLAY right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to update everyone on the world of Motive™ Studios and Visceral Games™. Let’s get right to the point: we have awesome projects underway at both Motive and Visceral, and we are looking for some more amazing people to join our teams. Last year, I wrote that the only limitation we have as game developers is the team’s imagination. I have always believed that to be true. But what’s really hit me since launching Motive last July and growing our…
The Real Fans Of The Saga – A Star Wars Fan Reality Show
We love fan projects and this one looks like a great one. A fun look at four different passionate Star Wars fans and how their fandom effects not only family life but everyday life. Here is a very fun project that most Star Wars fans will find exciting. The Real Fans project was filmed at the start of 2015 and followed 4 completely different fans (that are friends) to Celebration Anaheim all through well over a year (including leading up to The Force Awakens and after it’s release). Each Episode will be 15 – 30 mins (actual time per episode TBD after editing) and there will be approx 12 – 17 episodes total (again, TBD while editing) This will be the 3rd project that Filmmakers Cris Macht http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5277601/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 and Ian Vacek http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3051870/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 produced together. Why do they need your help? “The Risks and Challenges are always financial. When you don’t have enough….you can only do so…
Battle Pods Epsisode VII Levels Are Live
As we were told by Arcade Heroes, Namco was developing a new level to be added to their Star Wars Battle Pod arcade game. This is great news for fans of the game. As a big fan of arcade games and Star Wars, I know I was pumped up about it. It’s always great to see more new content added to these types of games. Star Wars Battle Pod is one of my favorite arcade games and it’s a game that people of all ages can get into – literally. So you can imagine how excited I was to see this game was being updated. This week, popular arcade/FEC chain Dave & Busters uploaded two new commercials to Youtube, giving us a brief glimpse of the new level of Star Wars Battle Pod arcade game. Check out this one and see if it doesn’t get you all pumped up to play this game:…
Star Wars Battlefront 3 Fan Remake Coming to Steam
For years fans of the Star Wars: Battlefront series have been bummed that the third installment was cancelled. However, in true fan fashion, someone has come along and decided to make it anyway. Mod team turned full-fledged developer Frontwire Studios is creating their own version of the game and fans couldn’t be happier. They say Valve is prepared to distribute it for free on Steam, which makes me, an avid Steam user and Star Wars game fan, very happy. Galaxy in Turmoil began as a CryEngine mod from a group of dedicated fans and now it’s been turned into a full-fledged game using Unreal Engine 3. This group of fans that started as a mod team have now built their own virtual development studio with more than 50 people and their making a mobile game as well. They are also working on another unannounced AAA title. From what I have seen…
Disney Brings in More Help to Rogue One
Fans are pumped up for Star Wars: Rogue One and sources say Disney will be bringing on more help for the reshooting. Simon Crane, who has worked as a Second Unit Director or stunt coordinator for such films as Jason Bourne, Edge of Tomorrow and Quantum of Solac, will be joining the Rogue One team. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the fact that Crane is on the scene probably indicates some of the reshoots will have retouching to the action sequences. You may have already read that Tony Gilroy was also brought on to help oversee the reshoots and provide additional material to the film. Hollywood Reporter says: Rogue One, being directed by Gareth Edwards, will undergo significant additional filming this summer, it was revealed earlier this week. Disney and Lucasfilm are hoping to accomplish several goals with the reshoots, including working on the tone of what has been described by sources as a “war movie.” The…
SWTOR Follow Up Analysis from EA’s FY16 Report
EA’s Annual Report in the form of its Form 10-K filed with the SEC this week talks a bit about SWTOR. Where does it stand now? Is it gaining more attention? swtoreconomics had some opinions to share on the matter and we think you’ll find it interesting too: “Star Wars: The Old Republic has received a lot of attention for its episodic story content cycle that began in October 2015 with the release of Knights of the Fallen Empire and opinions vary widely. There is little doubt that the financial success or failure of this content cycle will be the largest factor in determining the future path of the game. There is one paragraph that provides essentially all of the information in the entire 97 page report regarding Star Wars: The Old Republic specifically: For fiscal year 2016, service and other revenue was $1,899 million, primarily driven by FIFA Ultimate Team and Star Wars: The Old Republic. Service and other revenue for fiscal year 2016…
What is the Church of the Force?
The non-canon expert shows up to explain who and what the Church of the Force is as introduced in The Force Awakens, as well as remember some of his friends who are no longer part of the canon. Star Wars Reading Club is actually going to give you all of the run down so you’re up to speed on the Church of the Force. Basically, ,the Church of the Force was an underground faith of people loosely affiliated worshipers of the Jedi ideals. They believed that the Jedi Order would return one day and also that it’s return was essential to help bring the balance to the Force. This underground movement that started during the Age of the Empire, when the Jedi Knights were hunted nearly to their extinction. Jedi lore and history is very deeply rooted in the Church of the Force and one member in particular, Lor San Tekka played…
Fan Film: Star Wars: Amulet of Urlon
We love fan films here. This one is under 5 minutes so it’s not an extra long watch. You can sit down on a work break or in between playing or studying and give it a quick watch. We don’t want to go into too much detail about plot since it is such a short film. It’s far better to just watch it for yourself and get the full experience. That said, it’s an interesting and new story idea, the character is intriguing and the film is done well. There’s nice use of lighting and other effects and we hope to see more from them along these lines. If the music sounds familiar, you probably played Star Wars Commander and clothing and props were also very well done. All in all, it’s good stuff for a fan film. We’d love to see a longer version of this to carry out more of…
Cosplay Completed Sith Acolyte Armor Gallery
We’ve told you about how we love the SWTOR cosplay from Mynock’s Den. Here’s another great completed project. It’s a very detailed Sith Acolyte armor and it’s absolutely perfect. “The following photos were taken at the Comic Con in Winnipeg. The V2 Sith Acolyte armor is upgraded with a full Sith Acolyte Helmet, and the new V2 chest plate. The beautiful thing about the new setup is that since the Acolytes were shown without their hoods in the new cinematic trailer “Sacrifice”, and since I completed an accurate back plate for the helmet, I was able to wear the costume without the hood! Having the hood off really cut down on heat retention, allowing me to wear the helmet pretty much the entire time I was at the con!” See more on his site. He also has a bunch more great photos from around the con of him as well as other attendees…
The Academy: How Does the Chat System Work?
“How does SWTOR chat work? Chat channels, group, operations chat and lots of tips and tricks to make chat more enjoyable.” Here in the latest episode of The Academy, we can learn more about how the chat system works in SWTOR. We’ve talked at length before at how awesome The Academy videos are for new players and even as refreshers for existing and veteran players. Here’s a great one that goes over all the chat system functions for you. How do whispers work? How can you reply to a whisper? How do you change the channel you are typing in? What chat options are available to you? There’s more to it than just how to talk to people, or which chats you see. It also talks about ignoring other players, how ignore works, and more. It’s important to note that if you ignore someone, you won’t get grouped up with…
Star Wars: A New Hope as an Infographic (The entire movie in one image)
Infographics have been making their way across the Internet for some time now. While there was a boom a couple of years ago that seems to have died down now, we still see infographics on a regular basis. Sometimes they are just for fun or for a graphic designer to play with his or her skills a bit. Sometimes they are used to better illustrate a point than words alone. Sometimes they are used along with other elements to help show a bigger picture. In this case, we have something entirely unique. Illustrator Martin Panchaud recently transformed Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope into SWANH. It’s a very, very long infographic that tells us everything that happened in Star Wars: A New Hope. Seriously, everything. All of it. The entire movie in a graphic. Just scroll down. Now scroll some more. Yep, keep scrolling. It’s all there. He even…
SWTOR Arcann Mask Cosplay
We’ve told you before about cool SWTOR projects from myknocksden.com and now we have another one to share. This is a SWTOR Arcann mask cosplay/prop and it’s awesome, just like all of his work. The best part is, he will tell you exactly how he did it. “Being the dedicated SWTOR fan that I am, the minute the new trailer “Sacrifice” was announced in June of 2015, I knew I had to make Arcann’s mask. As with everything, it all began in the digital realm with some curves and plain surfaces, fuelled by a lot of energy drinks. The mask is quite complex, so even with great reference material, modelling in Rhino took close to 30 hours. ” See all of the digital plans here, along with step-by-step directions on how he did it. Then he will move into explaining and showing you in pictures how he created the base for his mask…
Differences Between The Light and Dark Side of the Force
How much do you really know about the differences between the Light side and Dark side of the Force? We know that the Sith and the Jedi are two opposite ends of the spectrum and that it is important to keep balance within the Force. Still, how much do you really know about the two and the differences in the two? While there are small things like the colors of lightsabers, there are many more, deeper differences between the two sides. Also not surprisingly, there are similarities. After all, the Force is made up of both the Light and the Dark side. You can’t have the Force without both sides and this is a very important part of understanding the sides. The video is just under 8 minutes long so of course, it doesn’t mention every single thing that makes the Sith and Jedi different but it does hit on…
How To Get A Lightsaber in Star Wars Uprising
We have brought you videos by l0stw0lf before but here is a series that is very useful and we’re sure wasn’t easy for him to create. It’s a 5-part series on how to get a lightsaber in Star Wars Uprising. Lost Wolf Productions has gone above and beyond here to do these missions, record them, and make them available for all of us to see how to do the same. As you can imagine, as he was making the videos, players were anxious for the next one and some had to wait for him to record them but if you are just now tuning in, you’ve got all five of them complete and ready for you. No waiting. So here are all the videos below. You can watch and follow along for missions 1-5 on how to get a lightsaber in Star Wars Uprising. And if you like this, head on over…
10 CRAZY IDEAS Dropped From THE FORCE AWAKENS
If you loved The Force Awakens, you might be surprised to hear about some of the ideas that never made it into Episode 7. There are plans for Darth Vader’s castle, the main villain was “The Jedi Killer”, and much more. There is a lot of interesting concept art here that shows the ideas that may have made it into the movie. Some are interesting, some are shocking, and some are crazy. While none of these made it into the latest film, we’re hoping we see some of these ideas in future films. Check out the video to see all 10 ideas for yourself and then tell us what you think. “Check out these 10 insane ideas and scenarios dropped from Star Wars: The Force Awakens… There are also tons of insights into the creative process of putting this film together, and the incredible amounts of brainstorming and imagining that the artists…
The Story and Philosophy Behind the Sith Rule of 2
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the in-depth areas of the Star Wars Universe then you will like this video series but it’s this episode that we want to talk about today: The Sith Rule of 2. If you don’t know much about this Sith rule, you’re going to learn a lot in this under-10-minute video. Even if you do already know something about the Sith Rule of 2, there’s a good chance you’re going to discover something new today too. The Rule of Two means that there can only be two true Sith Lords at any given time. This rule is actually very important to the survival of the sith. As the video explains, the lack of the rule could destroy the sith. It explains the beginning of Darth Revan, where the Rule of Two came from, and why it’s important. It explains how Revan was caught…
SWTOR Cosplay: Jedi Armor
You know how we love our cosplay here and we especially love sharing it with you. So here is finished Jedi Armor that looks absolutely awesome and we just had to show you. It comes to us from MYNOCKSDEN.COM, an active and talented cosplayer and prop-maker who “encourages aspiring prop-makers to awaken their own inner awesomeness!” Taras has been building props and costumes since he was a child and even back then, his work was pretty impressive. Now, it’s on an entirely new level. Here you can see videos from his Facebook account that showcase the process. The captions are below so you can see what he said about each phase while making this great Jedi armor. It’s really impressive, movie-level stuff here. The detail is great and you can see the thought that is put into each and every piece. He’s also creating a build diary on his website so…
EA Explains Why Star Wars: Battlefront Had No Single Player Campaign
Here is a big question many have been asking: why didn’t Star Wars Battlefront have a single player campaign? There certainly seems to be the desire for one from the community. During the Q&A Session of Electronic Arts’ Investor Day, Wedbush Securities Analyst Michael Pachter asked the publisher’s executive team this very question. Actually, he hit them hard stating they had “blown it” with the NBA brand and saying they didn’t really make a very high rated Star Wars game either. EA Studios Executive Vice President Patrick Söderlund provided an answer on behalf of the company, briefly addressing the NBA brand and focusing on why Battlefront didn’t have a single player campaign: “So, I would agree with you on NBA, that is something that we struggled with as an organization and so we have a different plan in play right now, but we hope to rectify that. Overall, if you look at…
Could There Be a Star Wars RTS in the Works?
When it comes to Star Wars games, we’ve had the really good, the really bad, and everything in between. It’s no surprise then that fans will be both excited and skeptical at the idea of a new Star Wars game. The rumor mill tells us we might be seeing a Star Wars RTS in the future. This is actually a very interesting idea. While there have been Star Wars RTS games in the past, there was never one done by EA so it will be interesting to see what the developer would do with this type of game. The rumor began around a video that was posted to Elise Baldwin’s Vimeo account. Baldwin was audio director for a number of games in the The Sims series. She claims she was audio director for the Star Wars RTS also, which is how she obtained the footage she shared. EA removed the…