Disney Purchases LucasArts, Likely Shift to Mobile Over Console Games

The House of Mouse has pounced on the owner of Star Wars, Lucasfilm, today in a deal valued at over $4.05 billion.

The acquisition includes all of Lucasfilm, including video game studio LucasArts. Company founder and franchise creator George Lucas said "I've always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime."

The deal also sees an expansion of the six main Star Wars films with three more films planned - Episode 7 is targeted for a 2015 release.

But where does this leave the video game side of the Lucasfilm business?

The direction for console gaming releases from LucasArts may take a slight hit, however - with a proposed shift towards online networks and mobile.

We are likely to focus more on social and mobile than we are on console. We'll look opportunistically at console, most likely in licensing rather than publishing.

But we think that given the nature of these characters and how well known they are, and the storytelling, that they lend themselves quite nicely, as they've already demonstrated to the other platforms.

The studio have been responsible for the Lego Indiana Jones, Lego Star Wars, Fracture and of course a slew of Star Wars games. But LucasArts also have an illustrious history with adventure games - including fan favourites Full Throttle, Monkey Island and Sam & Max.

The announcement also intends, currently, for employees to remain in their current capacity.

What do you think of the Disney - LucasFilm acquisition? Will fans of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron ever see a new entry in the series?