The three physics engines of The Force Unleashed
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Jan 26th 2008 at 7:00PM }
If you don't feel like watching an awesome, six-and-a-half minute long tech demo of the physics engines featured in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, allow us to briefly summarize the above video -- things are going to move around very fancily in this game. With the Havok engine controlling the movement of objects, the DMM engine regulating what objects are made from what substances, and the Euphoria engine deciding how enemies react to their environment, the game appears to push the boundaries of physics in gaming. Now we just have to wait until its summer release date to find out whether or not the rest of the game is absolute schlock.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Cabcru @ Jan 26th 2008 7:02PM
The bits with the figures hooking together and doing their synchronised flailing routine just looks... odd. And not in a good way.
t_m @ Jan 27th 2008 7:26AM
Yeah... it all just looks unimpressive and generally odd. Much less than the sum of it's parts.
If I pick up the guy with the force he shouldn't be swinging around like he's in zero-g.. cos i have a grip on him.
Its interesting that they keep talking about how unpredictable and amazing it all is.. while showing the same 3 canned events over and over.. all things which could have easily be achieved last gen. (dmm morphing aside).
Didn't they listen to yoda when he said size and weight had no effect on the force?
Korova @ Jan 27th 2008 11:32AM
I was generally impressed with the physics, but I have to agree that when I through a barrel with the force in real life, the storm trooper hanging on to it generally lets go and falls away. Their sims showed the trooper holding the barrel like bantha cheer leader at a pod race.
rv @ Jan 27th 2008 8:43PM
fuck gametrialers. I tried to watch this vid 3 times but each time it stopped in the middle, using wmp, quicktime, and flash. fuck them.
shadowguardian62 @ Jan 28th 2008 1:58AM
t_m dont be an idiot, they arnt talking about the object having an effect on the force they are talking about the force having an effect on the object, once you propell the object it will hit another and that iss where mass and velocity are used.
Trickob @ Jan 26th 2008 7:15PM
so i have to admit that i've never been a huge fan of the star wars series but i must say that while watching this video, i jizzmed in my pants just a little bit...
not just 'cause it the "force" effects are freaking awesome, but because i couldn't help thinking how awesome these physics engines would work for a "heroes" based game for sylar and peter's powers.
"THAT'S TELEKINESIS KYLE!!"
T3H WICKERMAN (TMNT DF) (BWF) @ Jan 26th 2008 10:58PM
Mind bullets.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 26th 2008 11:07PM
That's telekinesis Kyle!!!!
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 26th 2008 11:08PM
DAMMIT!!!! you already it. Shoot.
Laggy @ Jan 27th 2008 8:23AM
The power to kill a yak from 300 yards away!
Fido @ Jan 27th 2008 6:40PM
how about the power ....To move you....
JontheNinja @ Jan 26th 2008 7:17PM
Those stormtroopers are assholes. Seriously, one gets grabbed and so he's like "BITCH I AIN'T DYING ALONE" so he grabs his best bud and they both go flying off the 100 story building together.
Triforceowner @ Jan 26th 2008 9:22PM
Hilarious
Triforceowner @ Jan 26th 2008 9:22PM
Oh, and good job with the Ninja motif.
Ihya @ Jan 27th 2008 11:24AM
Post more often!
Poisoned Al @ Jan 26th 2008 7:19PM
Normally I would see "Star Wars" in the title and forget about it. I'm glad it's a slow news day and I took time to watch this. Epic.I hope the gameplay matches the engines.
gaddes @ Jan 26th 2008 7:25PM
I still don't get why darth vader's apprentice is making a habit of blowing up Empire equipment and flinging stormtroopers everywhere... o__O
The physics engines look cool and all, but whenever AI grabs onto something while it's floating in the air, it looks unintentionally hilarious because it's so awkward.
LaughingTarget @ Jan 26th 2008 7:28PM
It is an R&D facility apparently and Vader doesn't want the secrets to get out, so he sends in his apprentice to take it out.
The only thing I don't like is how flimsy the TIE Fighters are, one guy flying into the support blows it up. Weak.
Spiza @ Jan 26th 2008 8:04PM
Tie Fighters were always cheap throughout star wars. They were meant to just be fast.
Spiza @ Jan 26th 2008 8:07PM
This is what I expected next gen to be. Better AI and better physics. Not new halo maps.
LaughingTarget @ Jan 26th 2008 8:24PM
Cheap, ya. Fast, of course. But, damn, the way they're portrayed in this game, just some guy trying to get in the cockpit will blow it up, let alone it having the integrity to not collapse in the vacuum of space.
aristokrat @ Jan 27th 2008 3:46PM
A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, there was atmosphere in space, how else would there be noisy explosions?
Brucie B @ Jan 26th 2008 7:29PM
AWESOME, Demo Please!
Trickob @ Jan 26th 2008 7:39PM
something i don't understand:
why don't they get them some "lighterangs" and manipulate those with their force powers?? wouldn't that be cooler and less awkward than chucking their light sabers like boomerangs? just wondering
rodan32 @ Jan 28th 2008 6:34PM
No.
Tim @ Jan 26th 2008 7:46PM
I agree about the impromptu hand-hooking; it looks ridiculous and impossibly silly, like they're skydiving and linking up.
Maybe they should also start hugging each other in terror and screaming/crying. THAT would be more fun. Opponents crapping their pants and actually having real emotions.
Also, throwing people around at that force = beaucoup bone-snapping.
Noshino @ Jan 26th 2008 7:46PM
Lucasarts upped their game, but with all the detailed they have put into the excecution of the force, there seems to be a problem with the AI, the guy was standing there for about 3 mins and not a single bullet wouldhit him, and on the other escene, bullets go through him...
All in all, this Star Wars game looks incredible, Im still hoping that they allow us to use the force like when they showed the demo of the guy taking down the huge ship...
Triple07 @ Jan 26th 2008 7:50PM
Im interested to see how the Wii version is going to handle all of this.. seems a little much for the wii.
The Purveyor of Justice @ Jan 26th 2008 8:34PM
Unfortunately, the movie was a a showcase of the 360/PS3 version. The Wii version isn't being developed by Lucas Arts, and it's not on the same level. Hopefully it will still be good though too.
A-Troll-Named-Slickback (Yes the A Troll Named part, and yes every time!) @ Jan 27th 2008 2:21AM
Wii version lulz... sorry
ssuk @ Jan 27th 2008 5:36AM
The Wii doesn't have the power to pull off these effects, may one on their own, but all 3 at the same time would absolutely murder the Wii's CPU. I'm pretty sure it will get choppy on the 360/PS3 versions when there are a lot of explosions, visual effects and bits flying everywhere.
playwhutyalike @ Jan 27th 2008 9:10AM
The Wii version is using Lucas Arts "new Digital Molecular Matter graphics engine", whatever the hell that means. Oh well. I'll have a 360 or PS3 by then.
jorojoserojas @ Jan 27th 2008 1:27PM
I dno't believe the Wii will be able to accomplish all this. Strangely, I also read that the Wii will have several new areas and missions, so take that as you will.
I'd much rather prefer they make another game in the same universe for the Wii, which would allow me to buy and try both games.
fco. @ Jan 27th 2008 6:03PM
According to IGN, the developers in charge of the Wii version have created it's own engine, where "Objects bounce around the environment realistically, and downed enemies flail around with natural ragdoll motions…and though these elements aren't quite as elaborate as the higher end consoles, they're still pretty impressive to see on the Wii system". Also, so far the game "runs at a far smoother framerate than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions"
Add to that motion-controlled lightsaber and force powers, and you allready got me.
http://wii.ign.com/articles/847/847625p1.html
NukeAssault @ Jan 26th 2008 7:51PM
Wake me up when its for PC.
Jeff @ Jan 26th 2008 9:18PM
Seriously. God knows thats the only way something that awesome is running at 60 FPS in a resolution above 720p.
Can't believe Lucasarts opted out of a PC version... Lucasarts got its start in PC gaming. Traitorous bastards. Plus, when you're designing all that technology, don't you want one version that runs at uber framerates and hottness?
NukeAssault @ Jan 26th 2008 9:20PM
I want a PC version with multiplayer so bad. =(
onetrueping @ Jan 26th 2008 10:01PM
Maybe they wanted to concentrate on gameplay instead of adapting to five million or so hardware configurations? Just a thought.
finnith @ Jan 26th 2008 10:06PM
Just cause they got their start in PC games doesn't mean they have an automatic obligation of make PC games for the rest of their lives.
Victor @ Jan 27th 2008 2:31AM
i just got 3rl today, so wake me up too :/
Obie @ Jan 26th 2008 7:55PM
I do wonder how some random no name douchebag can have force powers that are like 100 times stronger than Yoda or anything seen in the films.
Bah, who am I kidding the game looks pretty cool.
Yuccadude @ Jan 27th 2008 3:31PM
This game isn't going for the "realism" of Star Wars, it's just trying to be fun to play and have a little bit of a storyline, much like other FPSes and 3PSes do.
Obie @ Jan 26th 2008 7:57PM
I do wonder how some random no name douchebag can have force powers that are like 100 times stronger than Yoda or anything seen in the films.
Bah, who am I kidding the game looks pretty cool.
capt_carl @ Jan 26th 2008 8:00PM
This game is going to do for Euphoria and DMM what Half Life 2 did for Havok Physics.
kojo87 @ Jan 27th 2008 12:33AM
thats exactly what i thought when i watched this video. i thought "this game might be more involved, authentic feeling, and badass than Half Life 2" i dont have a 360 or PS3 but i want this game so badly.
if its not coming out for PC why did Joystiq tag it as such? i would actually go buy another HD3870 so i could run this game in Crossfire. oh well i guess i'll keep playing Team Fortress 2 untill something better comes along.
playwhutyalike @ Jan 26th 2008 8:02PM
Well, well. Add this to the list of games that will make me buy a PS3 or 360.
OhMyGod @ Jan 26th 2008 8:05PM
Wow....Wowy-wow-wow-wow!
Gentlemen, I just wanted to let you know this, when this game comes out, you're all going to be wearing solid Gold Diapers!
sepaar @ Jan 27th 2008 3:23AM
I don't know, I just didn't hear enough cowbell in that game.
KushielsScion007 @ Jan 26th 2008 8:17PM
The Force is STRONG with this one!
A POWERFUL Sith you will become...
This is a Day 1 purchase for me...for those of you who haven't seen much video footage regarding this game IGN has a whole lot of interesting stuff about the game from the developers themselves. Really interesting sh*t.
Anyways I think this will truly revolutionize the Star Wars Universe when it comes to gaming. I really hope the storyline is as good as the gameplay looks to be.
theCardinal @ Jan 26th 2008 8:21PM
Wow. I was expecting something pretty mediocre and some further butchering of the Star Wars canon from this game. But this video actually has me pretty interested to see how it turns out. Could be a lot of fun to play around with those kinds of physics.
I do wonder though, how many other game do something similar, but don't dress up their code with fancy titles like "euphoria." I mean most game incorporating Havok probably build onto the base physics engine right? Just a thought.