PS3, 360 Indiana Jones hanging up hat?

Source: A brief news bulletin on game-info site IGN. What we heard: Remember the last time LucasArts showed its Xbox 360 and PlayStation Indiana Jones game to the public? No? That's probably because it was more than two and a half years ago when the first--and to date, only--trailer for the...

Source: A brief news bulletin on game-info site IGN.

What we heard: Remember the last time LucasArts showed its Xbox 360 and PlayStation Indiana Jones game to the public? No? That's probably because it was more than two and a half years ago when the first--and to date, only--trailer for the then-"next-generation" console game was released to the public. The previous several months had been filled with announcements about the film tie-in and its cutting-edge technology, particularly its graphics and use of NaturalMotion's Euphoria middleware to mimic human behavior.

However, since August 2006, the Indiana Jones game has been tucked away inside LucasArts like the Ark of the Covenant in a Defense Department warehouse. This week, though, saw news of the game surface--or news of its demise, anyway. Citing "multiple sources inside and outside of LucasArts," IGN's brief snippet says that the Indiana Jones adventure has been straight-up canceled, with its development team being broken up and spread around to other projects. No reason for the purported cancellation has been given.

The official story: LucasArts had not responded to GameSpot's requests for comment as of press time. However, the San Francisco-based publisher offered game blog Joystiq the following statement: "LucasArts remains absolutely committed to the Indiana Jones franchise. While we are aware that fans have been eagerly awaiting additional information on the upcoming game, they can rest assured that details are forthcoming."

Bogus or not bogus?: Not enough to go on. On one hand, when a game is not seen such for a long period, it's often a sign that it isn't presentable to the public. However, the studio just enjoyed its biggest success in years with The Force Unleashed, which sold 1.5 million copies worldwide in its first week on sale.

However, with all-new IP Fracture dead on arrival critically and commercially, the publisher needs its filmic sibling LucasFilm's properties, which are so etched in the global psyche that they're effectively critic-proof. Case in point: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which overcame poor reviews from high-profile outlets to become 2008's third-highest-grossing film. LucasArts would likely nuke as many refrigerators as it needs to get a piece of Skull's $317 million box-office pie.

143 Comments

  • Archeologist32

    Posted Oct 12, 2009 3:17 pm GMT

    are they making it or not? someone tell me please.

  • Sub-Hero

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 4:14 pm GMT

    If your a fan you can deal with it einLurch... I was pissed when this was cancelled but Who Cares we have plenty of good games out.

  • EinLurch

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 10:22 am GMT

    dude that's not the game they're talking about. what you see now on the lucasarts page is a cheap game for ps2, psp and wii (and nintendo ds... WTF?!) to rip off people. the trailer there is just to fool you, its NOT ingame. look at the sh*tty screenshots... lucasarts just milks all the fanboys with low quality stuff instead of making good games like this might have been or like the fantastic unforgettable old adventures were! if you want them to make finally a good game (first since 15 years or something) do NOT buy their sh*t.

  • BigP65

    Posted Feb 20, 2009 10:11 am GMT

    http://www.lucasarts.com/games/indianajones/ Here is a link that tells you all the info about the game and when it will be released.

  • bobbychez

    Posted Feb 15, 2009 3:39 pm GMT

    Not sure if anyone else noticed it, but on the Nintendo Channel on my Wii it has a recently posted movie for "Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings" coming in Spring 2009 so y'all may want to check it out. Lucasarts' website has also been updated with it. However, it does not seem to be for the 360 anymore.

  • shadowfox417

    Posted Feb 3, 2009 7:45 pm GMT

    What ever happened to this... I was jacked for this like a year ago when they announced it in game informer and now... What is Lucas Arts doing? They have had tome to start, finish and sell a Star Wars game in the time since this one has been announced.

  • Robshearon

    Posted Jan 30, 2009 9:09 am GMT

    Not seeing something means nothing it could just be buggy as hell or they just wanted to give TFU time to sell as much as it possibly can before announcing anything new.

  • xayias

    Posted Jan 25, 2009 12:06 pm GMT

    It looks like u just fight guys in a urban area, not really indy to me? they could of at least showed some actually exploring into a temple or being chased by rocks or something. they should of just called Lego Indiana Jones just Indiana Jones the game to save them time and money if this is being released. any way im much more worried about SWBF3!!!!!

  • soranobody

    Posted Jan 24, 2009 7:21 pm GMT

    Listen we havent seen any footage in a long time it is defintley Cancled

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted Jan 24, 2009 7:20 pm GMT

    Ahh man seriously?! I want that new Indiana Jones game (wasn't it called Indiana Jones 2007?)

  • tu2pac

    Posted Jan 24, 2009 7:42 am GMT

    Looks terrible. They scrapped it for good reason. Imagine if Indiana Jones came out looking like that the same time Uncharted II did .... ouch.

    If you have not played Uncharted yet (for what ever reason) do it soon.

  • datniccah187

    Posted Jan 24, 2009 4:51 am GMT

    I'm all set on Indiana Jones games.

  • mankeyador

    Posted Jan 23, 2009 1:49 pm GMT

    maybe it's just me but the animation looked kind of stiff, but some nice physics.

  • Wej_accept_it

    Posted Jan 20, 2009 3:10 am GMT

    Well, its argueably one of the worst trailers ever, if you're going to announce a new game, dont make me wait a whole minut watching something that has NOTHING TO DO with the game. Show us the (then) next gen physics engine damnit!!! And in this post-Crysis and MGS4 world, that looked cool, but not ground breaking.

  • carewisonfire

    Posted Jan 19, 2009 9:52 am GMT

    didnt look bad

  • thestickman

    Posted Jan 16, 2009 3:31 pm GMT

    This one looked much better to me than Force Unleashed did, so I hope it makes its way around eventually :/

  • Darth_Pietrus

    Posted Jan 16, 2009 9:06 am GMT

    I thought it looked like a great game.

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 7:08 pm GMT

    Awwwwwww I want...

  • necronaux

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 10:26 am GMT

    Yep. They waited too long to release anything. Look how poorly the newest Tomb Raider game did. Unless, there's another movie coming out? "Indiana Jones: Hey You Kids, Get Off My Lawn!"

  • lewser5

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 11:49 pm GMT

    I love the indy character and wouldn't mind a new game, but if it sucks badly then i can do without it.

  • XanderZane

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:51 pm GMT

    Game will probably be delayed until the next Indiana Jones movie. Yes, there will be another one. Originally there was suppose to be 5 films anyway, but Lucas/Spielberg got tied up in other projects and so did Harrison Ford. Every time they wanted to do it, either the script wasn't right or one of the 3 were working on another film. Harrison Ford already said he will do another if Lucas/Spielberg want him to. He loves the character and the action. So they may have canned the last IJ game, but are probably working on a new one to tie in with the new movie.

  • joanhm

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 8:13 pm GMT

    if you really think about the reson for LucasArts not bringing out this Game? One word, ( UNCHARTED 2 ). It basically is the modern day Indiana Jones. Its got the one-liners, the action and the story line to grip a todays gamer needs. Its a shame Lucus is serrounded by yes men/ women, because! his first films inspired me to get into si-fi art work. and any one with any imagination, can tell,, with the last products released. its like a dog thats lost its bone. Am just saying, if I worked in a company of this size, and had the chance to talk to Mr Star Wars, him self. I Know I would have the balls " Job of no jobs " to say. George! now you know this here is a crock of SH%T,and its goner take more than bleech to wash that out of the mind of a real fan. Now how about looking out for the people who made rich. you know! the ones that told there kids, who then told there!!! you know what am saying. George!!!! just fu%king wakeup. theres no excuses for al of it.

  • RonRicoSalsa

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 3:51 pm GMT

    They probably lost all motivation to continue the game after watching the piece of crap Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

  • naughtz

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 2:30 pm GMT

    wow i remember when i first saw these yrs ago and thought it looked good.
    how times change

  • 69ANT69

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 2:13 pm GMT

    Big loss

  • TheClown24

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 2:06 pm GMT

    yeah id love battlefront 3, but this indiana jones game does look quite good. Would be a shame to see it go

  • Generalmojo

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 1:46 pm GMT

    Listen to all the gamers Lucas Arts!!!
    Give us Battlefront 3!!!!

  • springfieldA1

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 12:42 pm GMT

    that clip was most likely pre-alpha and ruff and it was 2 and a half years ago so don't be so critical I remeber that clip when it came out and I am still excited about it and probably has sence been updated to todays standards and I don't know about anyone else I would like to see this game come out but then again I love indiana jones series so I may be biased sorry.

  • tu2pac

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 12:33 pm GMT

    The game footage looks horrible ... good call I say.

  • swamptick

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 12:27 pm GMT

    Not a big suprise. I just hope Lucasarts gives us another Battlefront game.

  • squarejp

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 11:38 am GMT

    I don't see the advantage of Euphoria over regular Rag Doll physics. The animation is kind of stiff too. I guess it's even worse than Star Wars The Force Unleashed

  • jcasanova

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:51 am GMT

    Lucasarts should do more Starfighter games!!

  • jawshoeuh

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:47 am GMT

    dude that is the most annoying trailer ever. seriously someone shut that announcer the hell up. my god who gave that thing the ok?

  • Top-A-Gamer

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:45 am GMT

    the game looks rubbish

  • ace244

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:40 am GMT

    They should make new movie called "indiana jones and the search for Jesus" it would mark his spiritual awakening. his son would be disgusted with his fathers change of heart and leave on adventures. then in the next movie harrison ford would play the same role as sean connery did in indiana jones 3

  • Ash2X

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:29 am GMT

    I´ve already heard that it´s coming.They read the news too and promised it to be released but didn´t gave a date.

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:20 am GMT

    it would be for a change from star wars

  • claykenobi

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:19 am GMT

    I was very excited about this game too! I wondered what had happened to it. It's disappointing that there hasn't really been a good Indy game even though Lucas arts could easily pull it off if they were more dedicated. What would be great is if GL himself created an original story like he did in unleashed.

  • Gamingcucumber

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:06 am GMT

    I really hope Lucasarts won't cancel it. I mean it's the only non Star Wars game they have been making in YEARS. I'm sick and tired of them and I want to see something new, a great Indiana Jones game would be absolutely awesome.

  • aBathingApe_

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 9:52 am GMT

    Bogus. They would be silly not to bring out this title, as regardless of whether or not Fracture sold well, this would sell just because of the name printed on it. Similar to how the Force Unleashed sold 1.5M copies within week one, this would do the same, just because of its sheer appeal to those with consoles who enjoy the films. I would probably play the game if it came out. Provided its release is planned strategically so that it does not conflict with other major releases like Resident Evil 5 or Call of Duty 6, Indy would've done fine in a gaming market.

  • Lostboy1224

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 9:52 am GMT

    Its an alien conspiracy that is stopping the new Indie Jones game to come out. We are through the looking glass people!!!!!!

  • doc18

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 8:39 am GMT

    the trailer for the new indiana jones looks great, and the whole idea of never two same reactions looks brilliant. However seeing as it hasn't surfaced for ages, either all this development of bioware technology has been done for nothing as the game isn't going to be released... Or the game's been put on hold for another upcoming game, or had been, likee star wars force unleashed 2 ... *sigh* I don't have anything against star wars, but the games seem to be all lucas arts release now

  • daveg1

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 8:25 am GMT

    its all a bit old now..this should have been out ages ago booo la..

  • FirstDiscovery

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 8:01 am GMT

    IJ4 wasnt poorly received, it got a lot of hate but it got a positive reaction

  • Megavideogamer

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 7:54 am GMT

    If LucasArts just Ports this over to the Nintendo wii, Since it will go over well there. Indy will Bomb on Xbox 360 and PS3.

  • dhandle76

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 7:47 am GMT

    Rag dolls everywhere!!!

  • Rosswell1712

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 7:28 am GMT

    I really hope this game does get released Indiana Jones ames have always been some best titles especially Fate of Atlantis plus I would like to see a Monkey Island 5 as well. LucasArts should realise that in 2010 it will be Monkey Islands 20th anniversary and should do something for that as well instead of just doing Star Wars all the time.

  • SLjimbolian

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 7:19 am GMT

    Not surprised here. In this day and age, when a movie-based game doesn't get released the same time when its film counterpart hits theaters, it spells trouble. The last paragraph hits the mark as its essential to be released in conjunction with the film and/or DVD release in order to survive in retail. The same thing happened to the 300 game. It didn't come out when 300 came out to theaters in March 2007 and ultimately the game was canned.

    I do like to point out that the concept of a next-gen Indiana Jones game sounds awesome, but I doubt it will be done justice.

  • randomfulness

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 7:14 am GMT

    I was actually kinda looking forward to see how this game would turn out...

    maybe they "nuked the fridge" again...:/

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