Exclusive: LucasArts Cancels Obi-Wan for PC

In a concise statement issued by company officials this morning, LucasArts announced that it has ceased development on the highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode I Obi-Wan for the PC. After an extensive review of the project, LucasArts felt that "the expected breadth and scope of the [game] could not be met given limitations of technology and the company's recently heightened quality standards." The announcement undoubtedly will come as a shock to LucasArts fans who have been anticipating Obi-Wan since its announcement at the 1999 E3. The game has been billed as the follow-up to the company's previous action games, the successful Dark Forces and Jedi Knight.

However, this announcement isn't the game's death knell. LucasArts has indeed confirmed that the Obi-Wan project will continue to progress forward and will be ported onto a next-generation console. According to LucasArts, though, it's still too early to determine which console - the Xbox, the PlayStation 2, the GameCube, or the Dreamcast - Obi-Wan will make the transition to. LucasArts also wouldn't comment on what effects the transition will have on Obi-Wan, nor would it comment on the fate of the vaunted Glyph System. This morning's announcement is attached below in its entirety:

"Following an extensive review of the project and a great deal of deliberation, LucasArts Entertainment Company has ceased development of Star Wars: Obi-Wan for the PC. The expected breadth and scope of the Obi-Wan project could not be met given limitations of technology and the company's recently heightened quality standards. LucasArts is now planning to bring the game and its assets to a next-generation console platform. Further announcements will be made in this regard next year.

LucasArts remains fully committed to developing games for the PC platform, as evidenced by its current development alliances with Verant Interactive, BioWare Corporation, and other soon to be announced projects.

We wish to thank our fans for their continued support through this process and assure them that our number one goal is to provide them with high quality, fun games."

LucasArts is expected to make further statements regarding this announcement in the coming months. We'll keep you updated as details become available.