LucasArts Announces Fracture News

LucasArts and Day 1 Studios today confirmed development of an original title for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3. Following an epic war fought by cybernetic soldiers and warriors augmented by genetic engineering, Fracture takes place in the year 2161, where ecological and seismological disasters have radically altered the planet's surface, and a clash of ideologies puts the whole of society on the brink of war.

As a result of the polar ice caps melting, the Great Flood has split the United States in two, leading to the Federal Government to fail in its duty and literally split the country in half to fend for themselves. The Eastern half known as the Atlantic Alliance, because of their ties to Europe, puts their belief in surviving the new challenges through cybernetics. On the Western side, now called the Republic of Pacifica and having allied with Asia, decides to solve the problems with genetic engineering - a method the Atlantic Alliance finds morally reprehensible.

The suggestion of military activity in Pacifica is the catalyst for a strike in the hearts of the territory, an outpost in the dry San Francisco Bay, which leads to the unthinkable outbreak of full-blown war waged on U.S soil.

Assuming the role of Mason Briggs, a demolitions expert fighting for the Atlantic Alliance, Fracture promises advanced next-generation visual techniques, which allows players to reshape their surroundings on the fly. LucasArts promises that every action in the game will reshape the earth in ways no videogame has offered before. A techtonic grenade on a level battlefield, will blast the ground upwards to provide access to unreachable areas; a further example was given, as the alternative firing of the rocket launcher, allowing Briggs to create enormous craters to burrow under a wall.

"LucasArts sees simulation-based gameplay as an essential component of a true next-gen experience, and that's exactly what Fracture delivers," said Peter Hirschmann, vice president of product development at LucasArts. "Day 1 Studios has done a phenomenal job of creating true next-gen tech that not only dazzles on a visual level but also serves as a core gameplay mechanic. Unlike many other next-gen games on the market, Fracture simply isn't possible in the previous generation of consoles."

"LucasArts' excitement for Fracture is palpable, and it only inspires us even further to ensure the game lives up to its lofty expectations," said Denny Thorley, president of Day 1. "The opportunity to work with a company such as LucasArts, that knows not only how to launch large entertainment properties, but also successfully bring new IP to market, is truly a privilege. With Terrain Deformation leading the way, we know we're creating something special, and we have absolutely no doubts that LucasArts is the only company to make sure Fracture receives its due."