Line #37 Creator/LucasArts


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9	[[quoteright:1000:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lucasfilm_games.jpg]]
10	[[caption-width-right:1000:Lucasfilm Games logo as of 2021.\
11	[[labelnote:Click here to see the logos of [=LucasArts=]]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lucasarts_logos.png[[/labelnote]]]]
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13
14	Lucasfilm Games (known as [=LucasArts=] Entertainment Company, LLC between 1990 and 2021) is the video game licensor of Creator/{{Lucasfilm}}. It's in charge of doling out the license for all official ''Franchise/StarWars'' and ''Franchise/IndianaJones'' and all other Lucasfilm properties.
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16	Founded in 1982, the studio was also a game development firm until 2013, famous for producing adventure games like ''VideoGame/FullThrottle'' and ''VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle'' as well as the ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland'' series (and later, the ''Mercenaries'' series), as well as a series of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and ''Star Wars''-themed flight sims developed by Lawrence Holland's Totally Games! studio, mainly ''Battlehawks 1942,'' ''VideoGame/SecretWeaponsOfTheLuftwaffe'' and the ''VideoGame/XWing'' and ''VideoGame/TIEFighter'' space combat games.
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18	It was once a powerhouse creative studio, with TheNineties marking the golden age of the company, a period when it produced many iconic AdventureGames and Space SimulationGames, often ranked among the best games ever. The firm gradually changed its focus towards outsourced ''Star Wars'' products after ''VideoGame/GrimFandango'' returned very poor sale figures despite receiving many Game of the Year awards.
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20	Subsequent titles published or developed in-house include ''Fracture'', ''VideoGame/{{Mercenaries}}: Playground of Destruction'' (note that its sequel, ''Mercenaries 2: World in Flames'' had its publishing rights given to Creator/ElectronicArts by developer Pandemic) and ''Star Wars: VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed''. However, the sequel, ''The Force Unleashed II'' would prove to be the last in-house game developed by [=LucasArts=]; soon afterward, in the summer of 2008, the studio was disbanded, with [=LucasArts=] announcing that it would become largely a title publisher. Their financial state also led to the cancellation of numerous in-development titles, and indirectly caused ''Battlefront III'' developer Free Radical to go under due to withholding payments and cancellation fees. The last several years of the company were marred by poor sales, layoffs, and multiple changes of leadership. Internal development had all but ceased, though they still dedicated resources to keeping existing [=IPs=] afloat, such as {{Updated Rerelease}}s of the first two ''Monkey Island'' games, the first digital releases of some of their out-of-print catalog titles, and a collaboration with Creator/TelltaleGames to created an episodic sequel to the IP.
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22	After a $4 billion buyout of its matrix Lucasfilm, the videogame branch and its intellectual properties were acquired by [[Creator/{{Disney}} The Walt Disney Company]] in 2012. Though initially Disney announced the studio's operations and projects would remain undisturbed (such as ''Star Wars VideoGame/ThirteenThirteen'' which was still in active development), they later announced the halting of all internal development on April 3, 2013 in favor of becoming a licensing entity; most of the staff was laid off, though the company is still open as a licensor.
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24	Many [=LucasArts=] alumni became major players in the game industry after their tenures at the studio ended. Creator/RonGilbert and Creator/TimSchafer both started their careers in games at the studio. Creator/{{Sierra}} was their main AdventureGame rival during both companies' heydey. Creator/DoubleFine & Creator/TelltaleGames, both founded by [=LucasArts=] alumni turned into {{Spiritual Successor}}s of the types of games made in the [=80s=] and early [=90s=]. Fellow Disney subsidiary Creator/{{Pixar}} originated as [=LucasArts=]' "Graphics Group", before being spun off into a separate corporate entity.
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26	One of the most memorable aspects of the company's long history is its [[VanityPlate logo]]. Originally designed as a right angle with the words "Lucas" and "Arts" written on each perpendicular line. Sitting atop the angle was a golden nondescript person, dubbed "the Goldenguy." Several games featured [[LogoJoke amusing gags involving the eponymous Goldenguy and the logo itself]], especially in the late 90s to early 2000s. (Though, despite its reputation, the company also used standard logos just as often.) In the mid 2000s, the "L" design was retired in favor of a more standard typeface, with the Goldenguy being redesigned. The gags were all but scrapped in favor of using standard logos exclusively. The one notable exception were the ''[[VideoGame/StarWarsTheForceUnleashed Force Unleashed]]'' games, which featured the Goldenguy throwing a lightsaber and using force powers.
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28	!![=LucasArts=]' famed [[AdventureGame graphic adventure games]] include, in chronological order:
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30	[[index]]
31	* ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'' (1986)
32	* ''VideoGame/ManiacMansion'' (1987)
33	* ''VideoGame/ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders'' (1988)
34	* ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade: The Graphic Adventure'' (1989)
35	* ''VideoGame/{{Loom}}'' (1990)
36	* ''VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland'' (1990)
37	** ''The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition'' (2009)
38	* ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge'' (1992)
39	** ''Monkey Island 2: [=LeChuck's=] Revenge: Special Edition'' (2010)
40	* ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis'' (1992)
41	* ''VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle'' (1993)
42	* ''VideoGame/SamAndMaxHitTheRoad'' (1993)
43	* ''Videogame/FullThrottle'' (1995)
44	* ''VideoGame/{{The Dig\|1995}}'' (1995)
45	* ''VideoGame/TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland'' (1997) - End of the SCUMM PointAndClick era.
46	* ''VideoGame/GrimFandango'' (1998)
47	* ''VideoGame/EscapeFromMonkeyIsland'' (2000)
48	[[/index]]
49
50	!!Related to those above, but not made by [=LucasArts=][[note]]In all cases, the IP is ultimately retained by Lucasfilm.[[/note]], are:
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52	* ''VideoGame/TalesOfMonkeyIsland'' (2009) - Made and copyrighted by Creator/TelltaleGames.
53	* ''VideoGame/GrimFandango Remastered'' (2015) - Made by [[Creator/DoubleFine Double Fine Productions]], after they bought the rights to the original.
54	* ''VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle: Special Edition'' (2016) - Also made by Double Fine Productions after buying the franchise.
55	* ''VideoGame/ThimbleweedPark'' (2017) - Developed by former [=LucasArts=] staff as a homage to their previous adventure games under their new company Terrible Toybox.
56	* ''VideoGame/FullThrottle Remastered'' (2017) - [[RuleOfThree Once again]] made by Double Fine Productions after buying the franchise.
57	* ''VideoGame/ReturnToMonkeyIsland'' (2022) - Made by Creator/RonGilbert, under license by [=LucasFilm Games=], marking also the return of the old logo and name of the company.
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59	!!The company's {{Vaporware}} projects that never saw the light of the day include:
60	* ''[[https://lostmediawiki.com/Vanishing_Act_(lost_development_material_of_cancelled_Lucas_Arts_adventure_game;_1997-1998) Vanishing Act aka Magic Box]]'' - Cancelled in 1998.
61	* ''[[https://lostmediawiki.com/Sam_%26_Max_Plunge_Through_Space_(lost_build_of_cancelled_Xbox_adventure_game_sequel;_2001-2002) Sam & Max Plunge Through Space]]'' - Cancelled in 2002.
62	* ''Full Throttle: Payback'' - Cancelled in 2003.
63	* ''Full Throttle: Hell on Wheels'' - Cancelled in 2003.
64	* ''[[https://lostmediawiki.com/Sam_%26_Max:_Freelance_Police_(lost_build_of_cancelled_Lucas_Arts_PC_adventure_game_sequel;_2002-2004) Sam & Max: Freelance Police]]'' - Cancelled in 2004. Former developers formed Creator/TelltaleGames, which worked on [[VideoGame/SamAndMaxFreelancePolice another Sam & Max game]].
65	* ''[[https://mixnmojo.com/news/Something-fishy-going-on-at-LucasArts Handsome Halibut]]'' - Mystery project announced in 2009; presumably vaporware.
66	* ''[[https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17616 Pipe Dream: The Flooz Must Flow]]'' - An unfulfilled idea by Michael Stemmle.
67	* ''[[https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17616 Maniac Mansion: Night of a Thousand Tentacles]]'' - Another unfulfilled idea by Michael Stemmle.
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71	!![=LucasArts=]' ''Franchise/StarWars'' titles include (hardly a complete list; see also Franchise/StarWarsLegends and Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse):
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73	[[index]]
74	* ''VideoGame/SuperStarWars'' (1992) - Developed by Sculptured Software.
75	** ''Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back'' (1993)
76	** ''Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi'' (1994)
77	* ''VideoGame/RebelAssault'' (1993) - A FullMotionVideo RailShooter.
78	** ''Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire'' (1995)
79	* The ''X-Wing'' series:
80	** ''VideoGame/XWing'' (1993)
81	** ''VideoGame/TIEFighter'' (1994)
82	** ''VideoGame/XWingVsTieFighter'' (1997)
83	** ''VideoGame/XWingAlliance'' (1999)
84	* The ''VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga'':
85	** ''VideoGame/DarkForces'' (1995)
86	** ''VideoGame/JediKnightDarkForcesII'' (1997)
87	** ''VideoGame/JediKnightIIJediOutcast'' (2002) - Developed by Raven Software.
88	** ''VideoGame/JediKnightJediAcademy'' (2003) - Developed by Raven Software.
89	* ''Literature/ShadowsOfTheEmpire'' (1996)
90	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsMastersOfTerasKasi'' (1997)
91	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsRebellion'' (1997)
92	* ''VideoGame/YodaStories'' (1997)
93	* ''VideoGame/RogueSquadron'' (1998) - Developed by Factor 5.
94	** ''Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader'' (2001)
95	** ''Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike'' (2003)
96	* ''VideoGame/ThePhantomMenace'' (1999)
97	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsEpisodeIRacer'' (1999)
98	** ''Racer Revenge'' (2002)
99	* ''Battle for Naboo'' (2000) - Developed by Factor 5.
100	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsDemolition'' (2000)
101	* ''Force Commander'' (2000)
102	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsEpisodeIJediPowerBattles'' (2000)
103	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsGalacticBattlegrounds'' (2001) - Developed by Ensemble Studios. Based on the ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresII'' engine.
104	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsObiWan'' (2001)
105	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsStarfighter'' (2001)
106	** ''VideoGame/JediStarfighter'' (2002)
107	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsBountyHunter'' (2002)
108	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' (2002) - Developed by Pandemic Studios. Unrelated to the [[WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars animated series of the same name]].
109	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsGalaxies'' (2003) - Developed by Sony Online Entertainment. A MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame that was eventually shut down in 2011.
110	* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' (2003) - Developed by Creator/BioWare.
111	** ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords'' (2004) - Developed by Creator/ObsidianEntertainment on [=BioWare=]'s suggestion, but suffered heavy ExecutiveMeddling from [=LucasArts=] and was ChristmasRushed.
112	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront'' (2004) - Developed by Pandemic Studios.
113	** ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII'' (2005) - Developed by Pandemic Studios.
114	** ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontRenegadeSquadron'' (2007) - Developed by Creator/{{Rebellion}}.
115	** ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontEliteSquadron'' (2009) - Developed by Creator/{{Rebellion}}.
116	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsRepublicCommando'' (2005)
117	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsEpisodeIIIRevengeOfTheSith'' (2005) - Developed by The Collective.
118	* ''VideoGame/EmpireAtWar'' (2006) - Developed by Petroglyph.
119	* ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed'' (2008) - [=PS2=]/PSP/Wii version developed by Creator/KromeStudios.
120	** ''The Force Unleashed II'' (2010)
121	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheCloneWarsJediAlliance'' (2008)
122	** ''The Clone Wars - Lightsaber Battles'' (2008) - Developed by Creator/KromeStudios.
123	** ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheCloneWarsRepublicHeroes'' (2009) - Developed by Creator/KromeStudios.
124	* ''VideoGame/AngryBirdsStarWars'' (2012) - Developed by Creator/RovioEntertainment.
125	** ''Angry Birds Star Wars II'' (2013)
126	* All ''VideoGame/LEGOStarWars'' games made prior to the Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm. Developed by Creator/TravellersTales.
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130	!![=LucasArts=]' [[SimulationGame flight simulators]] include, in chronological order:
131	* ''Battlehawks 1942'' (1988)
132	* ''Their Finest Hour'' (1989)
133	* ''VideoGame/SecretWeaponsOfTheLuftwaffe'' (1991)
134	* ''VideoGame/SecretWeaponsOverNormandy'' (2003)
135	* [[/index]]The ''X-Wing'' series (1993-1999) is considered a SpiritualSuccessor, developed by the same studio, ''Totally Games'' with an evolved engine and many inherited features literally RecycledInSpace.
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138
139	!!Other [=LucasArts=] games:
140	[[index]]
141	* ''VideoGame/{{Mercenaries}}: Playground of Destruction'' (2005) - Developed by Pandemic Studios. Once again, note that its sequel went to Creator/ElectronicArts.
142	* ''VideoGame/{{Fracture}}'' (2008) - Developed by Day 1 Studios.
143	* ''VideoGame/Afterlife1996''
144	* ''VideoGame/{{Outlaws}}'' (1997)
145	* The ''Franchise/IndianaJones'' series:
146	** ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesGreatestAdventures'' (1994) - Developed by Factor 5.
147	** ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndHisDesktopAdventures'' (1996)
148	** ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheInfernalMachine'' (1999)
149	** ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheEmperorsTomb'' (2003) - Developed by The Collective.
150	** ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheStaffOfKings'' (2009) - Developed by Behaviour Interactive.
151	* ''VideoGame/{{Gladius}}'' (2003)
152	* ''VideoGame/{{Lucidity}}'' (2009)
153	* ''VideoGame/DefendersOfDynatronCity'' (1992)
154	* ''VideoGame/ZombiesAteMyNeighbors'' (1993) - Published by Creator/{{Konami}}.
155	** ''Ghoul Patrol'' (1994)
156	* ''VideoGame/BigSkyTrooper'' (1995)
157	* ''VideoGame/MetalWarriors'' (1995) - Published by Konami.
158	* ''VideoGame/HercsAdventures'' (1997)
159	* ''VideoGame/WrathUnleashed'' (2004) - Developed by The Collective.
160	* ''VideoGame/{{Thrillville}}'' (2006) - Developed by Creator/FrontierDevelopments.
161	** ''Thrillville: Off the Rails'' (2007)
162	[[/index]]
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164
165	Prior to the formation of [=LucasArts=], Lucasfilm created several titles for the Creator/{{Atari}}, Platform/Commodore64 and other 8-bit home computers. These were developed under the Lucasfilm Games banner and published by various companies:
166	[[index]]
167	* ''VideoGame/RescueOnFractalus''
168	* ''Ballblazer''
169	* ''Koronis Rift''
170	* ''The Eidolon''
171	* ''PHM Pegasus''
172	* ''Strike Fleet''
173	[[/index]]

Context Creator / LucasArts