In a move which is sure to make Baldur's Gate fans cheer, LucasArts and BioWare have announced that work has begun on a new Star Wars RPG. The game will take place before the events depicted in Episode I, and no details are really available beyond this initial announcement. Here's the majority of the press release, for those itching for more information:

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2000--LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC and BioWare Corp. today announced a partnership to create the first Star Wars® role playing game (RPG) for PC and next generation video game systems. Expected to release in 2002, the game will be set in a time period prior to the Star Wars films.

The agreement combines Star Wars, the most successful film-based license in interactive entertainment, with BioWare's considerable development expertise in the role playing genre. BioWare created the critical and commercial hit RPG Baldur's Gate(TM). The Star Wars role playing game will be developed by BioWare and marketed and distributed by LucasArts.

For the game, LucasArts and BioWare are creating an entirely original storyline set some four thousand years before Star Wars: Episode I. The ancient era is dominated by an epic struggle between the Jedi and the evil Sith.

"This collaboration with BioWare further represents LucasArts' long-term strategy to build relationships with the world's premier game developers,'' says Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "BioWare has consistently delivered compelling games with rich and deeply engaging stories. Together, we aim to create a milestone role playing game set within a unique and largely unexplored area of the Star Wars universe.''

" The opportunity to create a richly detailed new chapter in the Star Wars universe is incredibly exciting for us,'' says Dr. Greg Zeschuk, joint CEO of BioWare.

"We are honored to be working with the extremely talented folks at LucasArts, developing a role playing game based upon one of the most high-profile licenses in the world,'' added Dr. Ray Muzyka, joint CEO of BioWare.