Are we still riding the high of an awesome Star Wars weekend? Absolutely! Is it cheating to include the music of Star Wars in a blanketed way without referring to a specific game? Yes, yes it is. But for the love of Yoda, we just don’t care! Besides, if you think about it, celebrating the music of Star Wars in a broad sense is the only truly fitting way it can be done right. John Williams’ incredible and timeless score for all six movies is the bedrock of music for any Star Wars-related game, whether its the quaint MIDI versions of these tunes in early games like Dark Forces or the more sweeping and orchestral renditions from modern games like The Force Unleashed. Take a listen to this unforgettable music and remind yourself just how much you love these tunes:

This is the orchestral music of multiple generations. Past centuries may have had Bach and Beethoven, but the 20th and 21st century has John Williams’ score ingrained in our minds. You could probably go up to any person on the street and ask them to hum the Star Wars main theme or the Imperial March (you might have to call it Vader’s theme) and most people probably could. There are few modern non-pop composers that have reached that level of ubiquity in our culture.

Let’s not forget all the lesser-known composers for Star Wars games that simply use some of Williams’ cues as a jumping off point to create their own stirring pieces of music. For The Force Unleashed, Mark Griskey used a great mix of both his original compositions and music from the both the prequel and original Star Wars movies. Since the events of the game happen between the trilogies, he wanted to offer some of both in an attempt to bridge the gap between the two. Others, such as famous game composer Jeremy Soule (Company of Heroes, Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights), use this music only as a reference point to explore their own unique take on the Star Wars universe, as he did in the soundtrack for Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. For a more detailed look into Star Wars music, check out this fairly detailed Wikipedia page. 

What’s your favorite piece of Star Wars music? Which Star Wars game do you think has the best music? Tell us in the comments and May the Force Be With You!

May the 4th is over, but why not keep the Star Wars love going all weekend? You’ve played the Star Wars games and celebrated May the 4th, so chances are you know plenty of fun facts about Star Wars. How about we put that knowledge to the test with some Star Wars trivia. Here’s questions of varying difficulty, with answers revealed if you highlight the black box. Remember, no peaking at holocubes for the answer!

General Questions for Scruffy-Looking Nerf Herders

What were the last words spoken in The Empire Strikes Back?

Answer:  “May the Force be with you.” (more…)

Today is Star Wars day for millions of people the world over and GameAgent is no exception. We love the Star Wars series and look forward to any chance to celebrate one of the most influential pieces of entertainment from the 20th century. But you may be wondering, just how did this day become associated with Star Wars? Thanks to the good folks and Lucasfilm and Disney, we’re going to provide with a history of a day that is sure to cause a disturbance in The Force.

Why is May the 4th Called Star Wars Day?

Say “May the 4th Be With You” out loud and you’ll hear the pun that Star Wars fans worldwide have turned into a rallying cry to proclaim their love of the saga. It’s the worldwide day to say “May the Force be with you” to all, and celebrate the beloved Star Wars story that binds our galaxy together. (more…)

Mac Gaming News

• You wanted to play cards with Claptrap right? Telltale’s ‘Poker Night 2′ is now available. Check out the launch trailer here.
• Apple was recently granted a patent for multiplayer gaming with chat capabilities. 
• If you love the EVE series, rejoice! There’s a massive box set coming out called ‘EVE: The Second Decade – Collector’s Edition.’
• Leviathan: Warships has what might be the GREATEST VIDEO GAME TRAILER EVAR.
• Anomaly 2 is now available for pre-order with some sweet discounts.
• Guns of Icarus Online releases free 1.2 update. (more…)

A short time from now, in a galaxy not so far away… 

We’ll be celebrating the greatest space opera ever told–Star Wars! Yes, tomorrow, May 4, is Star Wars Day, and Aspyr Media and GameAgent have put together a fantastic way to celebrate for Mac gamers the galaxy over. (more…)

The Force is strong with you, Mac Gamer…but you are not a Jedi yet! To change that it’s time for 20% off your training! For one day only get Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for a price so low not even a Jawa could undersell us. Now that the game is on Mac App Store and Steam it seemed like a great time to offer it on sale!

Features

• Now updated for compatibility with Lion, Mountain Lion.
• Available on both Mac App Store and Steam.
• Customize your character by defining both look and gender before entering the Academy to learn the power and dangers of the Force.
• Construct your own lightsaber from handle to blade. As you progress, discover the power of wielding two lightsabers or the ultimate double-bladed lightsaber made famous by Darth Maul.
• Vehicles, weapons, Force powers and Star Wars locations.
• Unique level selection system allows you to choose your own mission and adventures.
• Six multiplayer modes including team-based siege mode and two-on-one power duel. Fight in 23 multiplayer arenas!

Don’t get cocky kid, these sort of deals don’t last forever. You only have until Midnight, March 5, 2013 to learn the ways of The Force for so few credits. Build your lightsaber and get on the road to becoming a Jedi Master today with Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy!

Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter if you want the latest deals and Mac gaming news!

It’s that day of the week once again my friends. The day when we give you extra savings on a game from our catalog. This week’s Tuesday 20% is on the fantastic real-time strategy (RTS) game Star Wars: Empire at War. Today only, get it for $23.99! (more…)

It’s Valentine’s Day, and even for gamers, love is in the air. Even if it’s just on screen, the digital world has seen its fair share of couples and love-based storylines. To honor this heart-shaped candy focused day, we thought we’d count down the Top 10 gaming couples. We’ve done something like this before, but since we’re a Mac-centric blog this time it will of course skew towards relationships that Mac gamers can enjoy (though there are a few non-Mac relationships just too good to leave out!). Grab a box of chocolates and enjoy our tribute to an affectionate bond that can occur between two people. (more…)

Mac Gaming News

• Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy relaunched on Mac App Store and Steam this week, courtesy of Aspyr.

• Blizzard released the opening cinematic for StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.
• Pre-Order Wasteland 2 now, because the pre-order price goes up after January.

• The Sims 3: 70s, 80s & 90s Stuff Pack is now available.

• Want a weird game that promotes safe sex? Then Mr. Cond 2 is your game.
• Final Fantasy: All The Bravest is now available for iOS. Check out some thoughts on it here.

• Looks like Logitech will start supporting OSX users with optimized software.

• You can now be a part of the Elder Scrolls Online beta testing for Mac.

• EA brings the Origin gaming platform to Mac in a limited alpha.

• Congress is trying to introduce a bill that will fun a “violence in video games” study.

Apple News

• With sky high anticipation leading up to it, Apple’s quarterly report was released. 

• They are no longer the most valuable company in the world.

• Apple terminates some supplier contracts based on underage labor.

• Apparently cost-conscious buyers are more interested in older Apple models than the newest.

• The company’s research & development (R&D) budget increased to $1 billion last quarter.

• An app was pulled from the App Store for potentially being able to access nude photography deemed “pornographic.”

• Chevrolet introduces cool new features integrating On-Star and iOS.

• Looks like the demand for SmartPhones is decreasing.

• iPad 5 rumored to appear in October with aesthetics similar to the iPad mini.

Our Posts

• Question of the Week: Where’s My Borderlands 2 Mac DLC?
• Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Launches on Mac App Store, Steam
• Aspyr Mac FAQs: Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
• Find New Community Created Content for RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum
• Cool Story, Bro: Pop Culture References in Borderlands 2
• Tuesday’s 20%: Duke Nukem Forever
• Aspyr Games, Controller Support & You

Aspyr is excited to announce the re-release of the classic and fan favorite Star Wars game Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy! No longer will you have to keep around an older Mac or outdated OS to play this gem. The game will be available for purchase through GameAgent, Steam, and the Mac App Store for $9.99. For those who haven’t played this great title or maybe just need a refresher, here’s some more details on the game.

Forge your weapon and follow the path of the Jedi

Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, of the highly acclaimed Jedi Knight series, allows players to take on the role of a new student eager to learn the ways of the Force from Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.  Interact with famous Star Wars characters in many classic Star Wars locations as you face the ultimate choice: fight for good and freedom on the light side, or follow the path of power and evil to the dark side.

Features

• Customize your character by defining both look and gender before entering the Academy to learn the power and dangers of the Force.
• Construct your own lightsaber from handle to blade. As you progress, discover the power of wielding two lightsabers or the ultimate double-bladed lightsaber made famous by Darth Maul.
• Unique level selection system allows you to choose your own mission and adventures.
• Six multiplayer modes including team-based siege mode and two-on-one power duel. Fight in 23 multiplayer arenas!

 Look for a FAQ coming soon to further explain this awesome re-release.

Let’s Celebrate with a Star Wars Sale

Aspyr wants to celebrate the return of this great Star Wars title by launch a week long Star Wars sale! From now (Jan. 24) through January 30, get all of Aspyr’s other Star Wars titles for 25% off! The discount is good at GameAgent, the Mac App Store, and other online retailers (NOT on Steam Store). For more information on the games included in the sale click here.

Are you excited about the return of this great game? Do you have any great memories of playing this game you’d like to share? Sound off in the comments!