IU student a Jedi Knight for LucasArts

Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away" were the first words that began the cult sensation of "Star Wars" in 1977. George Lucas' fifth installment of the series was released last May and the lines of lightsaber-wielding super-fans outside every cineplex proved that public interest was stronger than ever. Riding the wave of success that his films provided over the years, Lucas formed LucasArts, which oversees the production of paraphernalia derived from his films. \nOne might venture to say that a "Star Wars" fan and his computer are never far apart. Eventually, several small fan networks began popping up all over the world. These networks allowed fans of the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" films and video game progeny to chat and discuss their favorite work. \nThis is how Michael Yared, a junior, found himself transformed from fan to founder of a major fan network. Yared is studying computer science and is also one of the owners of LFNetwork (Lucas Fan Network, www.lfnetwork.com). LFNetwork is the largest community on the Internet devoted to LucasArts and its popular "Star Wars" games. In a way, Yared has become a Jedi Knight crusading for the Lucas franchise. \n"It first started as a couple of websites in 1997," Yared says. "I now have five partners and we control a network of 200 websites. We have five servers. One hosts our database-registered users, another for the websites, e-mails, file servers and test servers for our biggest sites." \nYared started chatting with other fans in 1997 about LucasArts games and set up websites dedicated to them. Over the following five years, other LucasArts gamers set up similar websites and networked with Yared, thus starting a community among the fans. Yared soon found six partners to help him control and manage LFNetwork and focus on setting up more sites dedicated to LucasArts games. \nBefore long, Yared's network became large enough to attract the attention of LucasArts and its president, Simon Jefferey. \nIn a press release Jefferey says the LFNetwork has played a big part in prolonging the success of the Star Wars franchise. He says LucasArts is grateful to the Lucas Fan Network, which has created a distinctive online destination for fans to showcase and share their creations with others. The press release goes on to say the fan community is incredibly important to LucasArts and this site will provide them with a variety of ways to continue to celebrate their passion for the company and its games.\nYared says he is amazed at the popularity of his network.\n"We receive over 600,000 visitors a month that originate from nearly every major country in the world, across our network of sites," Yared says. "The people who decide to use the internet for games chat with other people find us and keep coming back for more." \nOften the competition between online gamers can become fierce. Players today have the ability to network with other participants for the latest hints and information on beating the games and the latest news about upcoming releases. These networks have made the current gaming scene a lot more complicated and involved than it was back in the day of Frogger and Pac-Man. The games are further complicated by the phenomenal amount of user-created add-ons for LucasArts recent game modifications like "Neverwinter Nights." \nThe followers range from casual fans, hard-core gamers and industry leaders who are interested in the LFNetwork's over 200 interactive sites. LFNetwork allows their visitors to keep up with around the clock free game news, hosting services, community forums, chat rooms and downloadable files for all of LucasArts' most popular video games.\n"I used to be a regular visitor to one of the Lucas Fan Network sites, www.obi-wankenobi.net," says Ian McDonald, a member of the LFNetwork. "I spent lots of time at the site, on it's forums, getting to know the other guys, getting involved in the community. When staff opportunities opened up at Jediknight.net, and later Jediknightii.net, I just started on news for the sites, then got into columns, and then just anything that needed to be done."\nThe Lucas Fan Network is the official fan network for LucasArts games.\n"The people love it," McDonald raves. "LFNetwork has an extensive coverage of both "Star Wars" and non-"Star Wars" LucasArts games, and it's growing by the day."\nNot only has McDonald found the site useful for gaming tips, but also in interacting socially with other LucasArts fans.\n"I've made friends on the LFNetwork, friends from abroad who I can stay with when I travel," McDonald says. "It's a great environment for new gamers and veteran gamers. It's a well maintained network and will continue to be for as long as LucasArts keeps on doing like they do." \nYared met his partners through LucasArts online games forums. He said that working on website networks is easier with his partners.\n"The more people you work with the more options you have," he says.\nLFNetwork is headquartered in Waterbury, Connecticut and has over 70,000 registered members. A recent press release has announced that www.lucasfiles.com is the newest addition to the network and their first joint project with LucasArts.\n"They could be the company that could make us or break us and we've had a great relationship for five years," Yared says. "Our project with them on LucasFiles is the first time we've ever done anything officially with LucasArts and it's their official mod site."\nYared says he is very proud his hobby has been officially recognized by LucasArts. LucasArts has worked with Yared and his partners on the new site, which offers fans a location to create and post modifications of LucasArts titles.\nYared has been lucky enough to do what he loves and make a little cash on the side through advertisements of games, gaming resources and promotion for other online sites. When looking to the future, Yared says he hoe this site is only a beginning.\n"Whatever I do, I'll do this," Yared says. "While I have no official plans to get involved in the development of games, I think that I could easily fit into the industry. From what I have seen from many different companies, game developers tend to have some of the most casual work environments. Everything appears to revolve around the fact that the workplace can be fun." \nYared is dedicated to his work. For that reason, LucasArts has worked with LFNetwork on the LucasFiles website and wants to work with Yared more in the future. The battle for this Jedi knight continues.