summary
- writer of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga talks about talk.
- The collaboration resulted in an authentic, fun and cinematic gaming experience.
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is available today for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
The Star Wars films have some of the most iconic dialogue in cinematic history, and it’s still our original Lego Star Wars Games didn’t have any of that. No “never tell me the odds”, no “hello”, no “I hate sand”. However, people didn’t mind as LEGO games were a different beast back then; a hilarious mimic beast at that. Over time, these games have become classics, and a generation of gamers rightfully feels nostalgic about them. However, when it came to creation LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga — available now for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S — we wanted to create an entirely new experience, not just a remaster. That meant we had the ability to add dialogue.
An ancient Jedi once said, “The ability to speak doesn’t make you intelligent,” but it allows you to parody classic movie moments in a way we’ve never done before. Aside from making people laugh, these iconic lines might add an extra layer of Star Wars authenticityand. It’s difficult to follow these original games, but since this is an all-new experience, hopefully fans will appreciate hearing Anakin’s Palpatine alarm clock screaming “Dew it!”
The movies are full of iconic lines, so for the story missions and cutscenes we started using as much movie dialogue as possible. Fans may not notice that much of the dialogue in the cutscenes was recorded to match the lines from film to picture, but hopefully they will feel that authenticity.
When it came to writing original stuff, it was important that the lines felt essential to either the design, the story, or the character. Each line should either guide the player, make them laugh, or make the characters feel alive. For characters like Han Solo, who we all grew up with, it’s a lot easier to keep the lines in the voice. However, it’s a bit more difficult for lesser-heard characters like Yaddle. Does she inexplicably have a northern English accent? Probably not. Does she speak in the same rhythm as Yoda? Well, good question.
The Lucasfilm Games team were amazing and were always on hand to ensure authenticity was present while still allowing us to bring our signature humor to the negotiations. It’s also worth noting that not every character speaks Galactic Basic (English). We have an abundance of foreign languages such as Jawaese and Ewokese. There was a point where I spent so much time writing dialogue in Huttese that I answered the phone with “Chuba da naga?” My commitment went so deep that it was totally worth it to involve my family and the confusing telemarketers.
After approving all the dialogue, it was time to assemble our amazing cast. The voice recording sessions are such a fun part of the process, but they can also be quite daunting. The pressure is great to do everything perfectly in such a short time. Luckily, I had some help in the form of Matt Wood, the human Star Wars holocron. The man is a Star Wars king and I could have listened to his stories for hours. Unfortunately, recording studio time doesn’t come cheap. Not only did he direct numerous sessions, but he also lent his voice to several characters. In fact, Matt wasn’t the only Star Wars: The Clone Wars graduate to return to the booth, which was very exciting as a fan.
I think one of my favorite parts of the game is the fight between Obi-Wan and Anakin at the end of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith just because everything is performed by James Arnold Taylor and Matt Lanter. It’s so cool to hear how these iterations of the characters portray that climax scene. To top it off, Sam Witwer’s Emperor Palpatine shows up with a fishing rod to fish out the remains of his apprentice. We really wanted the game to focus on the nine saga films, so it was a great way to show love to the wider Star Wars universe that some of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars cast were there, and I’m like that glad we could do it.
By weaving dialogue into the game, I think we’ve found a new way to parody these films, but I can only take half a Chlorian’s share of the credit. Everyone has worked passionately to make this the best possible Star Wars gaming experience. However, Master Yoda once said, “Don’t try. To do or not to do. There’s no try,” so it’s up to the fans to decide if we did it or not. I hope we have. May the force always be with you.
you can play Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga starting today for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga
Warner Bros. Games
$59.99
The galaxy is yours in LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga. Experience unforgettable moments and non-stop action from all nine films in the Skywalker saga, reimagined with signature LEGO humor. The digital edition includes an exclusive playable character from the classic Obi-Wan Kenobi. ● Explore the trilogies in any order – Players will relive the epic story of all nine films in the Skywalker saga, and it all begins with selecting the trilogy of their choice to begin the journey. ● Play as Legendary Heroes and Villains – Over 300 playable characters from across the galaxy. ● Discover Legendary Locations – Players can visit iconic locations from their favorite films in the Skywalker saga. They can unlock 23 planets and travel seamlessly as they play through the saga or explore and discover exciting quests. ● Command powerful vehicles – More than 100 vehicles from across the galaxy for you to command. Engage in dogfights and defeat capital ships like the boardable and exploreable Super Star Destroyer. ● Immersive Player Experiences – Link attacks to form combo chains and deflect oncoming attacks. New blaster controls and mechanics allow players to aim with precision or harness a Jedi’s abilities by wielding a lightsaber and harnessing the power of the Force. ● Upgradable Character Abilities – Exploration rewards players as they discover Kyber Stones that unlock new features and enhanced abilities for a range of character classes including Jedi, Hero, Dark Side, Rogue, Scavenger, Rogue, Bounty Hunter, Astromech Droid and Protocol Droid.
LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga Deluxe Edition
Warner Bros. Games
$69.99
The Deluxe Edition includes 7 downloadable character packs. The digital edition also includes an exclusive classic playable character, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The galaxy is yours in LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga. Experience unforgettable moments and non-stop action from all nine films in the Skywalker saga, reimagined with signature LEGO humor. The digital edition also includes an exclusive classic playable character, Obi-Wan Kenobi. ● Explore the trilogies in any order – Players will relive the epic story of all nine films in the Skywalker saga, and it all begins with selecting the trilogy of their choice to begin the journey. ● Play as Legendary Heroes and Villains – Over 300 playable characters from across the galaxy. ● Discover Legendary Locations – Players can visit iconic locations from their favorite films in the Skywalker saga. They can unlock 23 planets and travel seamlessly as they play through the saga or explore and discover exciting quests. ● Command powerful vehicles – More than 100 vehicles from across the galaxy for you to command. Engage in dogfights and defeat capital ships like the boardable and exploreable Super Star Destroyer. ● Immersive Player Experiences – Link attacks to form combo chains and deflect oncoming attacks. New blaster controls and mechanics allow players to aim with precision or harness a Jedi’s abilities by wielding a lightsaber and harnessing the power of the Force. ● Upgradable Character Abilities – Exploration rewards players as they discover Kyber Stones that unlock new features and enhanced abilities for a range of character classes including Jedi, Hero, Dark Side, Rogue, Scavenger, Rogue, Bounty Hunter, Astromech Droid and Protocol Droid.