It's always sad when someone in this industry steps down, and this is no different - as LucasArts President Jim Ward is finally hanging up his ten-year tenure at the company that brought us lightsabers and spaceships. Find out why and what's in the future for Jim Ward after the jump.

Being a Star Wars addict myself, it makes me a bit sad to know that initial reviews for Star Wars: Lethal Alliance (PSP, DS) are rather lukewarm. But instead of being the immature person I sometimes am, I'd like to take a few steps back and examine the matter.

When it really boils down to it, I really have no problems with gameplay. Just take a look at this one for starters. This short video clip shows how the lock-on feature of the game can be lethal to your enemies. Just think of GTA and the right shoulder button and you will know what I mean.

In the end, I guess the problem kind of lies in the playable characters. Twi'lek Rianna Saren is one of the Jedi knights who has been given enough exposure, both in the original stories as well as in the expanded universe. However, we have to keep in mind that Lethal Alliance took place between Episode III and IV and the only Twi'lek action we saw there is a jedi knight being killed in the great Jedi Purge.

Maybe Rianna Saren is one character a game can't be built upon. Well, in the end, that's just me. For all we know, Star Wars Lethal Alliance will be appreciated after all. What do you think?

Well, we've already gone over the "game takes place between between Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV A New Hope" description before. We've also relayed that the devs promised this game would feature "intriguing collaborative gameplay". But just in case you guys haven't bought Star Wars: Lethal Alliance yet, here's another trailer.

Too bad the game met lukewarm reviews. So far, depending on your point of view (Obi-Wan reference right there; pointing out references is so; as you all so eloquently put it, gay; multiple parentheses are oh so fun don't you think?) there's about an equal number of people screaming that they either hate or like this game.

We'll let you guys decide if the game is a big pile of bantha poo-doo or if it's hot enough to spank Darth Sidius all the way back to that weird asteroid he supposedly hid in.

In Ubisoft/LucasArts' Star Wars: Lethal Alliance, your objective is to steal the plans for the (first) Death Star from the Empire. In a reversal of roles - and as part of Ubi's promotion for the game - the Empire invites you to design your very own Death Star and create an impregnable Fortress of Doom (patent pending) to do the Emperor's bidding.

You do know, of course, that the average life expectancy of a weapons designer for the Empire is the time it takes for Darth V. to say "I find your lack of faith disturbing." Doggone Dark Side of the Force...

This is really more of a just-for-kicks web game from the Ubi/LucasArts people, so it's not like there will be a prize for the winning design... aside from the mercy of the Emperor, we guess. Full point-and-click instructions are available at the source link below, as well as a ridiculously low budget that isn't enough to create the perfect, impregnable Fortress of Doom (patent pending) the Emperor is looking for. No wonder the Rebellion keeps winning almost every round...

If you've got a-hankering to prove that the pitiful Rebellion can be crushed with a superweapon of ginormous proportions - or you're a Star Wars geek of ginormous proportions - try it out yourself at the link below. You might want to consider deleting those exhaust ports and trenches the Empire (not to mention every Ace Combat villain) seems to be in love with, though.

This could just be the biggest week ever for PSP owners, nope, not because the list of this week's releases is massive, but because this week, the Big Boss finally slithers his way onto our PSP's!!!

Yep, as we've been saying (repeatedly, if I might add) in our previous Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops articles, the game will indeed be heading our way on December 5th. And not only that, the loyal followers of the Force will also be glad to know that Lethal Alliance will be hitting shelves this week too. And, and, if you want the very beautiful Jaime King to grace your PSP screens, you might wanna grab a copy of "Bulletproof Monk" too. This week's release list may not be massive, but hey, quality is still better than quantity, right?

PSP Game Releases:

• Brothers in Arms: D-Day
• Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
• Star Wars: Lethal Alliance
• WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007
  

PSP UMD Releases:

• "Bulletproof Monk"

One of the most esteemed sci-fi space operas in our and our parents' generation is "Star Wars". In a span of more than 20 years, George Lucas' epic has spanned through, not just six movies, but books, toys, video games, comics, cartoons, and a whole plethora of other materials.

To fill in the gaps between movies, the franchise has branched onto these different media. As mentioned, one of them involves the video game industry, in which the latest installment brings us Ubisoft's Star Wars: Lethal Alliance. This game is set between "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" and centers around Twi'lek Rianna Serena, who is tasked to steal some confidential documents concerning the Death Star.

The release date for the game is plotted on December 3, and while that's merely a few days away from now, here's another batch of screens to check out.

Curious about how a Twi'lek will fare fighting against a Rancor Pit monster? Well here's three gameplay vids of Twi'lek Rianna Saren's adventures in Star Wars: Lethal Alliance.

The game takes place between between Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV A New Hope. Given that Rianna's got a helpful droid Zeeo following her around, the devs say that gamers should be faced with intriguing collaborative gameplay (we're thinking platforming puzzles)

Hired by the Rebel Alliance, the deadly duo must work together to infiltrate Imperial planets and acquire info on the Empire's Death Star.

Get the rest of the vids after the Jump!

As you guys have probably noticed, details, screens, and other goodies about Ubisoft's Star Wars: Lethal Alliance (PSP, DS) have been very scarce. So scarce that you would think our favorite Star Wars characters have gone over to the dark side in their obscurity. Fortunately for us though, we found these spankin' new screens for the PSP version courtesy of Jeux France.

For those who don't know, the Lethal Alliance will be set in between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope, where you'll get to take on the role of both Twi'lek Rianna Saren and her droid Zeeo as you engage in collaborative gameplay and combat to get hold of the Death Star.

If you've been reading up on the game, you probably already know that the PSP version will have the multiplayer feature via WiFi where you can engage in some tasty Twi'lek versus Twi'lek shooting action. If you've noticed the lack of lightsabers in the screens, that's because the game will focus more on shooting rather than the good old slashing action you've gotten used to in the famous franchise.

Star Wars: Lethal Alliance is slated for release next month for the PSP and DS (December 3 and 12, respectively), so until that sweet day comes, why don't you enjoy the screens we have for you, eh?

Star Wars: Lethal Alliance, the upcoming video game being developed by Ubisoft, is the first Star Wars game specifically built for PSP and DS. In this game, players will be engaged in a collaborative gameplay as they control Twi'lek Rianna Saren and Zeeo to uncover the Empire's most deadly secret - the Deadly Star. What's interesting in this game is the fact that it focuses on shooting rather than the renowned lightsabers and The Force from the Star Wars series.

In this game, you will discover new locations and environments and meet unforgettable characters from the Star Wars universe. Enhanced gameplay includes using the WiFi connection for the multiplayer mode where the PSP version will feature Twi'lek versus Twi'lek while the DS version will offer droid versus droid. "Queer eye" these new screens from the PSP version as the game is set for a worldwide launch in December 2006:

Games that have people's name attached to the title seem to be doing well. Great  examples are Tony Hawk and Tiger Woods-themed games. However, there's also one more familiar name that needs to be mentioned: Tom Clancy.

Tom must be really happy right now. Besides being an author of various military-related books, his name is attached to two games that are bound to be as much of a best-seller as his paperbacks. Ka-ching!

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent (Xbox 360 and Wii): series has so far sold 14M units globally.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas (Xbox 360, PS3, PSP): another of Tom's name on one of the better sellers: 14M again.
Rayman Raving Rabbids (Wii, Nintendo DS): The Rayman is back to sell more than 17M units worldwide.
Far Cry Vengeance (Wii): FPS series that sold 2M worldwide.
Brothers In Arms D-Day (PSP): young but sold 3Mso far. Good start.
Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII (Wii): planes and WWII--some of the things you'll need for a good game.
Prince of Persia Rival Swords (PSP): This old game has been selling over 8M globally.
Petz (Nintendo DS): Top Ten on GBA
Red Steel (Wii): The FPS created just for the Wii. Looks awesome.
GT Pro Series (Wii): takes the Wii controllers for a real ride.
Open Season (Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo DS, Wii) the movie-tie-in game that's all over the gaming consoles and handhelds this year.
Star Wars Lethal Alliance (Nintendo DS, PSP): the first Star Wars built just for the next-gen handhelds.
Monster 4X4 World Circuit (Wii): Scary and big trucks come rolling down the Wii.