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How Star Wars has lasted the test of time

Unless you’ve been living under a rock since 1977, then chances are you know just how popular the massive movie franchise Star Wars has become. Created by George Lucas originally as a kind of cowboys and Indians style carry on, but in space, no one could have expected the movies to become so big and so ingrained into modern popular culture. What makes Star Wars’ success stand apart from other movies’ success though is the huge amount of time, planning and money that gone into merchandising. Rumour has it that Lucas was happy to wave his director’s fee for a larger cut of the merchandising rights instead, and that paid off in spades, as everything from Star Wars Action Figures and bed sheets to bicycles and board games have subsequently flooded the market.

These toys and games are just as popular with kids today as they were when they first appeared on toy shop shelves though, over 30 years ago. Though many toy manufacturers would no doubt love to emulate Star Wars’ successful toys sales, the secret to their popularity is really quite simple. The three original films, plus the three subsequent films, all dealt with archetypal characters which were all going through trauma, with the help of their friends and family. This base-level storytelling device meant that they could dress the plot up in as many special effects as they wanted but underneath it all was still a very simple Romeo & Juliet style love story that anyone could relate to.

Like modern soap operas, Star Wars told different tales that all of its watchers could probably relate to, so when it came to producing and marketing toys and games, it was far easier to sell them as the brand already had a very wholesome and ‘safe’ feel to it internationally.

Another reason that Star Wars games and toys have become so popular and so collectible is largely down to the massive number of fans that the movies have generated. Not only can a new Star Wars game come out with the knowledge that it would be received by a large and very much ready-made target audience, but it also has the advantage of virtually free advertising in a sense. Star Wars is so ingrained into popular culture that whenever a new product comes out, the makers know that it will probably sell well as there are so many other Star Wars products and references out there to help it.

Of course, not only does the franchise have a lot of fans, but it also has many serious fans that would go to the ends of the earth to get their hands on the latest Star Wars games or toy. Like Star Trek, the makers of Star Wars know that a proportion of their fan base is made up of people who will be happy to spend a lot of money on relatively obscure pieces of merchandise, meaning that they can then balance this out by releasing mainstream Star Wars-branded High Street favourites too.

About the Author

Isla is a part of the digital blogging team at shoutingindigital.com who work with brands like Woolworths. For more information about me, or to keep up to date with the latest in retail news, check out my posts at shoutingindigital.com or visit my Twitter account, @shoutingID.

The Best Star Wars Games For The PC

Star Wars Mighty Beanz Games Case $33.99 Collect, race, play games. Collect these Star Wars Beanz. Includes Clone War Beanz.Includes 4 Exclusive Star Wars Clone Wars Beanz per pack. Case of 6 pieces. Assortment breakdown not available.

Star Wars: Shadow Games $5.84 No Synopsis Available

Fantasy Wars $19.99 “Fantasy Wars is a turn-based strategy game set in a fantasy world. Combining both classic strategy gameplay and sophisticated 3D graphics, players will experience epic battles like never before! Play the role of an Orc or Goblin boss, a captain of the Human army, or lead the elite forces of the Elven army. Participate in castle sieges and village defense, assault and reconnaissance operations and swift raids. To be victorious, remember that the number and experience of troops is not always the key factor; organize cooperation between different types of units and use the landscape to achieve strategic superiority. Play Fantasy Wars now!”

Jedi Activity Cards (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) $2.99 This exciting full-color activity book includes 8 pages of fun games and puzzles and 81 collectible activity cards that feature all of your favorite characters from Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Star Wars Clone Wars Republic Squadron TV Games Motion $33.99 Defend the Republic! Multiple games based on Star Wars. Fly and blast your way to victory as your moves control the action! No video-game console or software needed. Republic forces are under siege! Jedi leaders Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker lead an elite squadron of Clone Troopers against General Grievous and his Separatist forces. The Force is with you when you use the Plug It In & Play TV Games Flight Motion Controller, as your moves control the game as you fly and blast your way to victory! No video-game console or software is needed. Just plug right into your TV! Requires 4x “AA” batteries (not included).

Star Wars Classic Battles TV Games $22.99 Put yourself in the middle of legendary Star Wars battles! Play multiple action games on your own TV. Fly ships, duel with your lightsaber, and blast battle droids! No gaming system required. The Force is with you in these exciting action games from the Jedi archives. Join Obi Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Master Yoda as they lead Republic forces against the dreaded Emperor, General Grievous, and their Separatist movement! Fly ships, duel with your lightsaber, and blast battle droids to save the galaxy! Simply plug this in to any television– no video-game console or software is needed! Requires 4x “AA” batteries (not included). Order yours right away! Controller measures about 4-inches tall x 6-inches wide.

Air Conflicts: Secret Wars $19.99 “Air Conflicts: Secret Wars is a stunning action game and flight simulator. During each of 7 campaigns you must fly and fight through 49 missions. Choose between 16 different aircraft, each with individual strengths and weaknesses. Engage in dog fights, bomb enemy targets, and complete missions in both WWI and WWII settings. Soar across 20 different period-accurate landscapes. Air Conflicts: Secret Wars is an action-packed, gorgeous game, that delivers the excitement of serial combat in a manner that is accessible to everyone.”

Star Wars – The Clone Wars $6.99 Star Wars – The Clone Wars – Poster

Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc $19.99 “Play through the most intense battle scenarios of medieval Europe in this third-person 3D epic saga. Brandish your sword to slay enemies in adrenaline-pumping action as you lead your troops to victory. Live out the most exciting years in the life of Joan of Arc, the ultimate female warrior. As you progress through her campaigns, other great military medieval leaders will join your cause and bring their own unique fighting abilities and characteristics into the fray. Acquire new weapons, master long-lost skills, and command your armies in Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc!”

Star Wars $10 Star Wars – Neil Norman

Star Wars: The Clone Wars $214.99 Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Framed Art Print

Star Wars – Clone Wars $49.99 Star Wars – Clone Wars – Lamina Framed Poster

Star Wars #4 $10 Star Wars #4 – Star Wars

Island Wars 2 $19.99 “Ah, the South Pacific seas … warm sun, clear skies, crystal waters, and… two islands obsessed with destroying each other’s palm trees! Hop in your biplane and bomb the enemy island, or use your cannon to protect your own. Engage in aerial dogfights while collecting bonuses to defeat 10 opposing islands and 50 invasion waves. This explosive game features 7 mutators, 10 gameplay parameters, 5 skill levels, and more. Become a tree hugger with vengeance today!”

Star Defender Pack $17.99 “The Star Defender Pack bundles two sweet space shooters into one game. Star Defender III features new weapons, attacks, and even nastier aliens! Get ready to fight through hoards of alien beasts as they mercilessly battle the Earth. Beat all eight bosses in more than 100 breathtaking levels. In Star Defender IV, become the solar system’s first Intergalactic Disinfector by taking revenge on a fleet of Insectus! Star Defender 4 is the most high-throttle addition yet to the stealth series that’s captivated millions of hearts and minds. Both games feature wicked graphics, classic action, and deeply satisfying space shooter gameplay!”

Star Wars the Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels/Jedi Alliance $3.95 -Flip Book: Extensive walkthroughs of every level for both "Star Wars(R) The Clone Wars(TM): Lightsaber Duels(TM)" for the Nintendo Wii and "Star Wars(R) The Clone Wars(TM): Jedi Alliance(TM)" for the Nintendo DS. -Breakdown: Complete information with all combos detailed and mission challenges listed -Secrets: Hints and tips to unlock everything for both games -Bonus Content: Exclusive art section for both games

Island Wars 2 Christmas Edition $19.99 “Ah, the South Pacific seas… although it’s Christmas time, those two little islands are still fighting over their Christmas trees. Hop in your sled and bomb the enemy island, or use your cannon to protect your own. Engage in aerial dogfights while collecting bonuses to defeat 10 opposing islands and 50 invasion waves. Features 6 game types, 7 mutators, 6 weapons, 10 game play parameters, 5 computer skill levels, and bonuses. Supports 1 or 2 players.”

Star Wars – War of Wars AOP $24.99 Star Wars – War of Wars AOP – T-Shirt

LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Mac) $29.95 Play through a fun Star Wars galaxy that combines the endless customization of LEGO with the epic story from all six episodes of Star Wars. This is the definitive LEGO Star Wars comprising the first two games and expanding them with new characters, enhanced visuals, and more bonus levels than you can shake a lightsaber at. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga is a family–friendly game, which appeals to all ages. It is both funny and challenging: pick and choose your characters wisely to…

The Complete Star Wars? Encyclopedia $103.91 THE DEFINITIVE REFERENCE GUIDE TO A SPACE FANTASY PHENOMENON The "Star Wars" universe, much like our own, is constantly expanding. In the ten years since the publication of the "Star Wars Encyclopedia, " a lot has happened in that galaxy far, far away: four new feature films, a host of official original novels, comics, video games, and more. Now, thirty years of information on all things "Star Wars"-ranging from science and technology to history and geography, culture and biography to ecology and cosmology-has been supplemented with an entire decade’s worth of all-new material. Abundantly illustrated with full-color artwork and photos, and now in a new three-volume edition to accommodate its wealth of detailed entries, the "Star Wars Encyclopedia "encompasses the full measure of George Lucas’s creation. Here’s just a sampling of what’s inside: – character portraits of both the renowned (Luke Skywalker, Queen Amidala, Darth Vader) and the obscure (Tnun Bdu, Tycho Celchu, Bib Fortuna) – the natives and customs of planets as diverse as Tatooine and Hoth, Dagobah and Kashyyyk – the rituals, secrets, and traditions of Jedi Knights and Sith Lords – a timeline of major events in "Star Wars" history, from the Clone Wars and the inception of the Empire to the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker and the invasion of the monstrous Yuuzhan Vong Scrupulously researched and written by leading authorities Stephen J. Sansweet, Pablo Hidalgo, Bob Vitas, and Daniel Wallace, this landmark work is the must-have centerpiece of every "Star Wars" library.

Star Wars Galaxies: The Complete Guide $3.94 Provides new players with everything they need to navigate the Star Wars universe, including comprehensive maps, updated bestiaries, mission walkthroughs, and crafting tables. The guide also covers every aspect of the games’ newly revised profession paths, making it easy for new players to maximize the talents of their aspiring Jedi.

Star Wars #2 – Yoda $10 Star Wars #2 – Yoda – Star Wars

Star Wars #5 C-3PO $10 Star Wars #5 C-3PO – Star Wars

Star Wars – Star Logo $19.99 Star Wars – Star Logo – T-Shirt