First Look at Star Wars: Uprising from Kabam
Kabam, the developer of MMORPG social games like Dragons of Atlantis: Heirs of the Dragon and Kingdoms of Camelot, is teaming up with Disney and Lucasfilms for the first ever mobile video game to take place between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. The new game is titled Star Wars: Uprising, and you can watch the first reveal trailer for the game, here.
From Kabam’s official press release:
Kabam, in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and Lucasfilm Ltd., today announced the development of Star WarsTM: Uprising, the first mobile game to take place after Star Wars™: Episode VI Return of the JediTM and before Star Wars™: The Force AwakensTM.
Developed by the industry-leading team at Kabam RPG Studio in San Francisco under the direction of Senior Vice President Aaron Loeb, Star WarsTM: Uprising will allow players to create their own unique character, go on missions, and build their gear and skills, while amassing a powerful crew and cartel to join in large-scale sector-wide battles that dictate the future of the game universe. Players will also be able to engage in real-time co-opwith friends against the Empire.
Star WarsTM: Uprising will introduce a new chapter of the Star Wars™ universe that will illuminate dramatic events in the Anoat Sector, inclusive of Hoth and Cloud City, following the Battle of Endor and the death of the Emperor. Players will learn hundreds of abilities and collect iconic Star Wars gear to create their own takes on the next generation of heroes: Smuggler, Bounty Hunter, Rebel Guerilla, Diplomat, Gambler or something completely unique.
“Star WarsTM: Uprising is a deep role playing game (RPG) experience that will immerse players in the Star Wars universe during a unique time following the fall of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine,” said Loeb. “The Kabam RPG Studio has taken its collective experience and passion for role playing games to focus on creating a unique and immersive gameplay experience for Star Wars fans and RPG gamers around the world.”
The Star WarsTM: Uprising official website is now live at Playstarwarsuprising.com, where the game’s first trailer is now posted. By pre-registering, Star Wars fans can help shape the future of the in-game universe and win exclusive prizes such as a storm trooper helmet by voting for in-game content. Star Wars: Uprising will begin a beta roll out in select territories in the upcoming weeks.
The creative power behind the game comes from Kabam RPG Studio in San Francisco, which is made up of the top art, design and storytelling talent from the RPG world, and technical masters from across the video game industry. The team is dedicated to bringing the best RPG experiences to mobile and includes Daniel Erickson, former creative director of Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ and Danny Keller, Emmy award nominee for Star Wars™: The Clone Wars™. The studio’s most recent game, Spirit Lords, received the highly coveted Editors’ Choice Award on the App Store.
This all seems very exciting, and it appears as if this is one of the first, if not THE first video game to be released in the Journey to the Force Awakens marketing campaign, which will bridge the long span of time from Episode VI to Episode VII.
Another great point from this presser, is that Daniel Erickson (Star Wars: The Old Republic), and Danny Keller (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), are part of the creative team for Star Wars: Uprising. This means that Kabam is serious about providing a content rich story, which is often lacking in mobile MMORPG games.
Uprising will be a game geared toward the Rebel Alliance’s role after the fall of the Emperor. as part of the Rebel Alliance but not in contact with the larger group, the local Rebels consist of former workers displaced by the Empire and a new generation that has grown up during the rebellion, who believe in a return to the Republic. The Rebels are but one of thee playable factions, with the other two being the Trade Spine League (comprised of smugglers and mercenaries), and the Nobles who wish a return to the ways of the Republic.
Bespin, Hoth, and Burnin Konn appear to be the main locations for the game’s setting, which plays into the former workers of the Galactic Empire angle. There is also a main character theme, and it looks as though she will be the main named character that players will have some sort of interaction with. Deathstick is a legendary assassin who rose up from a street level criminal. She is described as twitchy and prone to sadistic flights of fancy. Her description reminds me of Asajj Ventress from Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series. She was an assassin who was apprenticed to Count Doooku. I guess we will have to wait and see if Deathstick has any Force powers.
Two other main characters that players will be interacting with are: Commander Bragh, The leader of the Purge Troopers, believes that those who rebel against the Empire are less than human and uses his position to indulge his love of causing pain. And, Riley who was orphaned on Burnin Konn’s mining colony, Riley and her younger sibling became a promising pair of thieves until Riley was thrown from a building. A cybernetic leg brace briefly put her back in action but she mainly uses her wits and planning skills now.
This game looks like it is going to be loads of fun, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Star Wars: Uprising will be released this fall.