As sure as eggs are eggs, there was always going to be a videogame, possibly several, based on Star Wars: Episode III. So when Lucasarts announced today that development had already begun in preparation for a 5th May 2005 release date, a fortnight ahead of the film’s scheduled launch, we barely raised an eyebrow.

Logically, the game will explore the characters and environments introduced by the film, and unremarkably it will take the form of a third-person action adventure. The most interesting of the scant details currently available is the fact that Nick Gillard, choreographer and stunt-coordinator for the movie itself, is working in close conjunction with the developers to ensure impressive visual effects and animation. So, if all goes according to plan, Episode III ought to be packed full of exciting light-sabre action.

It should be interesting to see how sales of Episode III, which has not yet been given any specific platforms (although it will probably cover most of them) compare to sales of KOTOR 2, which is released only a few months earlier. The hype surrounding the film is sure to shift plenty of units, but even die-hard Star Wars fans might develop a strong sense of apathy by this point: especially with Republic Commando and Star Wars Battlefront being in the shops by the beginning of next year.

If more details are uncovered, we’ll keep you in the loop.