Look at the size of those engines! Poor old Anakin's bobbing around at the back in a flimsy pod

You will watch the film. You will say "WOW!" You will buy the figures and the posters and probably even the lunch box. And you will buy all the associated games. So here's hoping it isn't a lazy bunch of crap...
Andy Ashwin

Why should it be a "lazy bunch of crap", as you so eloquently put it?
It's a film licence, isn't it? You know and 'they' know that everyone's going to buy it, so why would they want to spend any time (or money) making something worthwhile?

Because we're the fans. Without us they are nothing.
If only that were true. Thankfully, this could be one of the few exceptions to the rule. The game is being developed by LucasArts, you see, George Lucas' games company. He is Mr. Star Wars.

So it might be good then?
It should be. LucasArts have a proud reputation to uphold - just take a look at Grim Fandango and X-Wing Alliance on the PC. And who could forget the rather lovely Rogue Squadron on the N64?

Or Shadows of the Empire?
Erm... yes. To be fair, that was their first outing on the N64.

Fair enough. Rogue Squadron was ace. Is this more of the same?
No. Star Wars: Episode I Racer is unsurprisingly based on the new film. And it's a racing game, as the unimaginative title suggests. There's a scene in the film where young Anakin Skywalker (Luke's dad) partakes in a race on his home-world Tatooine. The scene is apparently inspired by the chariot race in Ben Hur, only this time the chariot is a pod, pulled by two jet-engine 'horses'.

Cool as! Tell me more without spoiling the plot.
The pod hovers above the ground and the engines are attached by means of a mag beam, a stream of pure energy. The engines drag the pod along at speeds in excess of 600mph - which should make for some rather exciting racing.