To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, the 4th Star Wars Celebration will be held in Los Angeles in May of 2007. It will be a 5-day event from the 24h to the 28th of May with the first day reserved for all Fan Club members. The most important announcement for collectors:

One of the highlights for fans at a Star Wars convention is the chance to buy unique merchandise, including an exclusive, limited-edition action figure. Because this has led to bottlenecks and long lines in the past, the Celebration IV store will be bigger than ever, self-service, well-stocked with merchandise, have plenty of check-out lanes…and be open 24 hours a day from the opening of the show on Thursday until the close on Monday!

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FlickrGaming.net has a ‘how-to’ on getting the old Tie Fighter Collector’s CD edition game to work on Windows XP.

The miracle answer to all of this is an OpenSource DOS emulation tool called The VDMSound Project. It works with Windows XP (SP2 – not sure about SP1), 2000, and NT, but not Windows 95. Unlike most DOS emulators, this one also includes a complete emulation package for sound – so you don’t have to mess with crazy extra configurations just to get some audio going.

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This is a cool story about a small town in Wales where the Millenium Falcon was built. For a long time the local folk believed that a flying saucer was being built as those involved were sworn to secrecy.

For three months they worked on the only full-scale Millennium Falcon, the spaceship from the original Star Wars trilogy, to be built for the films.

The code name was Magic Roundabout and since this was the fan frenzy surrounding The Empire Strikes Back, the word finally did spread.

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Just saw these cool Star Wars Bookends that feature Han Solo and Greedo sitting across from each other.

It costs $124.99 and will be out in November, though you can pre-order now.

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We’ve rolled our own Star Wars Search Engine with Rollyo and you can try it out below.

Let us know if you would like some of your favorite Star Wars sites that you would like this engine to consider.

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The last evolution in the line of the Clone Troopers, encased in hardened white plastoid armor, these Imperial shock troops neutralize resistance to the New Order and are totally loyal to the Emperor even in the face of certain death. Used as first-strike forces, they cannot be bribed or blackmailed. Stormtroopers live in a totally-disciplined environment and are militaristic to the core.

In addition to regular stormtroopers the Empire maintains a number of units specialized for various environments and mission profiles. Among these units are snowtroopers, or cold-assault troopers, who wear lighter armor equipped with powerful heating and personal environment control units, terrain-grip boots and face-shielding breathing masks.

Scout troopers, very lightly armored for mobility, are usually assigned to Imperial garrisons. They use speeder bikes to patrol perimeters, perform reconnaissance missions and scout enemy locations.

The standard stormtrooper suit of body armor can adapt to all but the most extreme climatic conditions, and various gear accessories and backpacks are issued to support operations in environments such as open sand or jungle. Field units may wear shoulder pauldrons as high-visibility rank indicators.

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Lucas Arts announced their upcoming products in a pre-E3 press release [via VE3d]. While familiar titles surrounding the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises are presents, a few interesting titles have sprung up with as Lucas Arts looks to a future with less dependence on its past.

Indiana Jones 2007 (working title) – PS3/XBOX360

Indiana Jones returns in 2007 for his most incredible interactive expedition ever. Set in 1939, this epic, original story – written for the first time under the direction of George Lucas – puts you in the fedora of the legendary adventure hero as he unravels the clues found in ancient artifacts spanning the globe. From San Francisco’s Chinatown to the world’s most sacred ground, Indy must use his fists, whip and trusty revolver to fight through ruthless opposition and piece together a mystery of biblical proportions. Indiana Jones 2007 is LucasArts’ first internally developed project for PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360. [...] Indiana Jones 2007 debuts the revolutionary new euphoria technology from NaturalMotion, which delivers never-before-seen lifelike action and awareness to every character in real time – so you’ll never see the same thing twice.

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy – XBOX/XBOX360/PS2/PSP /GameCube/PC/GameBoyAdvance/NintendoDS/

LEGO Star Wars II takes the fun and endless customization ability of the LEGO play pattern and combines it with the epic story, characters and action from the revolutionary Star Wars: Episodes IV, V and VI. With a unique tongue-in-cheek take on the Original Trilogy, LEGO Star Wars II lets you build and battle your way through your favorite film moments. From Darth Vader’s pursuit of Princess Leia aboard her Blockade Runner to Luke’s final confrontation with Emperor Palpatine, the game includes even more of the family-friendly LEGO action, puzzles and humor that earned the original LEGO Star Wars its ranking as the 10th best-selling video game in 2005.

Star Wars Empire at War: Forces of Corruption – PC
There is an expansion pack in the pipeline for Star Wars Empire at War titled Forces of Corruption.

The Rebels have just destroyed the Death Star, and the galaxy is in turmoil. As an aspiring Underworld figure named Tyber Zann, spread corruption throughout the galaxy using new strategic gameplay elements to influence other factions, steal their funds, slow their production, spy on them and more, all en route to becoming the most notorious criminal leader since Jabba the Hutt. Exciting new land-tactical options like customizable, upgradeable bases and guerilla warfare allow for innovative battlefield tactics. Take command of and confront new fighting units for all factions (Rebel B-wings, Imperial TIE interceptors, Darth Vader’s Executor Super Star Destroyer and more), and take down anyone who stands in your way of ruling the Underworld, be they new battlefield heroes like Luke Skywalker and Yoda or the forces of your most bitter rival – Jabba.

Which brings us to the non-franchise announcements from Lucas Arts. Thrillville sounds novel and fun while Traxion targets a demographic that Lucas Arts has not reached for before.

Thrillville – PS2/PSP/XBOX

Visit Thrillville for a nonstop party in a theme park you create. An all-access pass to adventure and fun, Thrillville lets you experience a fully interactive and customizable amusement park where you can play dozens of midway minigames, interact with your park guests, and even build and ride roller coasters and over 100 attractions. [...] You can also tour the park on foot – a first for theme-park titles – chatting and joking with all the guests to help them out and make sure they’re enjoying themselves. Slated for a fall release, Thrillville is being developed by Frontier Development for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PSP.

Traxion – PSP

Gaming and music combine like never before on your PSP in Traxion – where your tracks drive the action. Loaded with dozens of minigames and a variety of music from leading artists – and fully compatible with every MP3 file on your memory stick – Traxion sucks you in as the music not only provides the soundtrack, but also changes the way the games are played! Imagine the rocking guitar chords of heavy metal, the strong beats of rap, the smooth tones of jazz, or even the crazy pace of polka – all impact gameplay in a different way.

Lucas Arts will be at Booth 152 in the Concourse Hall at E3. All tours are by appointment only until the booth is open to all attendees after 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12.

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Mysterious and imposing in their blood-red robes and helmets, the Emperor’s Royal Guard is loyal to Palpatine with every fiber of their existence. The members of this elite force are former stormtroopers, hand-picked for their size, strength, intelligence and loyalty. The unit is so secretive that suggestions as to its strength range from 50 to the tens of thousands, although it is probably much closer to the lower figure. (more…)

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If you use the free Office software OpenOffice.org then try this in the spreadsheet software:

In any cell type in =Game(“StarWars”). A small, space invaders style game will appear.

Via EggHeaven2000

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The relatively lightweight and speedy All Terrain Scout Transport (AT-ST) is used by Imperial forces for reconnaissance and ground support for both troops and the larger AT-AT walkers. (more…)

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Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith won two Saturn Awards yesterday: for Best Science Fiction Film and for Best Score. Good choices!

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We were sure it would never happen- we would never get the original unaltered Star Wars trilogy on DVD. For all future generations, Greedo would always have shot first, the effects would have been flawless and so on.

And now Lucas changes his mind. More DVD money for them, I guess. The DVD will be available only for a limited time (=mad fan rush) between September and December this year, but the trouble is we all know it won’t be for a limited time. We’ve all been burnt before. Remember the Celebration “exclusive” toys that were later available online for all fan club members? Remember the multiple versions of multiple DVDs we’ve had.

And still, I will probably buy this set as well. I am a completionist, I run this web site, I need to have it all for reference if not for anything else. But all you regular fans, don’t buy it if you have the Special Editions. Or let’s organize a fan refund campaign- anybody who has spent more than $100 on different original trilogy versions in their lifetime gets half-off on this version!

In any case, the only cool thing to come out of this development is a Han Shoots First t-shirt; an official one. Good to know the folks at LucasFilm get the joke, and the irony. I just hope they realize the tragedy they have created as well.

The new DVDs will include the original version of the trilogy and the special edition. And yes, by original versions they seem to mean the ones that showed up in the first run in the theatres. So no Episode IV, yes Ewok celebration song and so on. Enjoy!

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A combat and transport vehicle, the immense four-legged Imperial All Terrain Armored Transport is as much a psychological weapon of terror as an actual weapon of destruction. (more…)

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That’s easy- check in our Star Wars midis page. If you don’t find what you are looking for there, post in the comments below (or on that page).

What is a MIDI you ask?

Musical Instrument Digital Interface, or MIDI, is an industry-standard electronic communications protocol that defines each musical note in an electronic musical instrument such as a synthesizer, precisely and concisely, allowing electronic musical instruments and computers to exchange data, or “talk”, with each other. MIDI does not transmit audio – it simply transmits digital information about a music performance.

So a .mid file is a file that represents this digital information- it helps if you compose or play with music (or instruments) and they sound pretty good too!

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To make up for the weaknesses of battle droids, a special contract was awarded for the creation of an altogether different combat droid that wuold be a much more serious weapon. The design was created by a species of chitinous Colicoids in their own image on a planet far from the Republic’s core. Colicoids are known for their completely unfeeling and murderous ways, and Colla IV has been embroiled for many years in diplomatic disputes related to the death and consumption of visitors to the system. The droideka was exactly what concerned Trade Federation officers wanted; a formidable heavy-duty killing machine to back up the battle droids in the face of determined opposition.

Using a combination of momentum and repulsor effects, droidekas unfurl in a matter of seconds from wheel form into standing position, ready to attack. The dramatic transformation recalls the attack pattern of a deadly adult Colicoid, and can take unwary opponents by surprise-as droids’ manufacturers intended.

For compact storage and optimum travel speed, droidekas retract into the shape of a wheel. Using pulsed internal micro-repulsors in sequence, they roll themselves into battle, opening at the last minute into the their combat form. In transit, the wheel configuration presents a smaller and faster target to enemy gunfire.

When a droideka is ready to begin an assault, it quickly unfolds and stands up on three legs. Its pneumatic arms flex open and its eerie head rises with its enemy-finding sensors ablaze. Made only for combat and specialized for the single purpose of destruction, the droideka has no need of hands. Instead, powerful twin blaster are built onto its arms. Unlike the lightly built battle droids, every part of the droideka is heavy alloy or armor plate, making the machine a fearsome specter that cuts down soldiers by the dozen with ease.

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