It’s another win for ThinkGeek.  Every year during April fools day, ThinkGeek comes up with some of the craziest, funniest, and most awesome items to sell. Sometimes the joke items are so awesome, that people want it to become a reality.  Just like the 8-bit tie (hey, that’s me!), the Star War Tauntaun sleeping bag has received an overwhelming response that ThinkGeek couldn’t let this joke item just “die”. (Hah. I did it again. I crack myself up.)

The exclusive and officially licensed Star Wars Tauntaun sleeping bag is now available for $99.99 only at ThinkGeek.com. Oh, and one more thing.  That zipper to open it is just a touch more of awesome.

Two equally “hot” slave Leia’s sun bathing while between takes on Jabba’s Sail barge.  Jabba is such a pimp.

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Cutest Stormtrooper ever?  I’d bet so.

“Look son, a baby Jedi!”

The last thing I feel like dealing with today is a Jedi, dad.

Flickr user and LEGO artist, icgetaway, has built an awesome chess set based on Star Wars characters.  It always gets me when I see the level of detail these LEGO artists put into their creations.  But not only can you play chess with this, the board also acts as a storage for the game pieces.  Go past the break for more photos.

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Star Wars The Old Republic, the better Star Wars MMO, is shaping up to be one of the better looking MMOs with a few things we’ve never seen on any existing MMOs out in the market today.

One of the special features in SW:TOR is the ability to change gameplay based on the dialogue you use.  Just like the Mass Effect franchise. Depending on what you say or how you act could effect the number of enemies you fight or the types of enemies you fight.

Another special feature is that it is the first MMO to use actual voice actors for all of the dialogue in the game.  That’s gotta be hundreds of hours of sound data.

And finally, a cover system during blaster battles.  You can hide behind a tree, wall or rock. Just like numerous games out there.  But this is definitely a first for an MMO.

Bioware took this game to a whole new level that made me VERY interested and opened my eyes. Enjoy the video above to see what I mean.

Geek girls, these are not. These are the type of girls that are fun to look at and watch.  But, if you actually try to have a conversation about web design, video games, or internets, I bet they would just twirl their hair and respond with “like, okay.” So, watching them read these lines is hilarious to me.  You can tell they don’t know WTH they are talking about.

The Penny Arcade Expo just released some awesome news through the tubes via electronic mail! OH BOY!  In the release there is the usual panels of Red Vs. Blue, an opening keynote, and some news about some guy named Wil Wheton. Don’t get me wrong, hes awesome.  But The first public US demonstration of LucasArts’ Star Wars: The Old Republic and Ubisoft’s Splinter Cell Conviction and Assassin’s Creed® II is definitely hot news.

The PixelatedStaff (Jamie, Raul, and I) will be at the event to give you our hands-on review of each of the 3 games.

Stay tuned!

Full press release after the break
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In the battle between nerd fandom of Star Wars VS Star Trek, one type of clothing can help put an end to it all. Corsets.

The force is strong in this one

I detect no intelligent lifeforms on this planet

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You can almost hear the epic John Williams music.

First things first, if you haven’t seen the new cinematic trailer for The Old Republic then watch it here.

It’s enough to make any Star Wars fanboy large in the pants. However the trailer reveals little about the actual game. After a behind closed door game play demonstration and interview with LucasArts I can report on some nerdgasmic details about the game.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a PC exclusive, MMORPG set in the Star Wars universe 3,700 years before the events of the Star Wars movies. Bioware (developer) and LucasArts (publisher) have stated that the game will be heavily story-driven. Each line of dialog between characters will be fully voiced, a first for an MMO. Not having to read quest descriptions or conversations really enhances the cinematic feel of the game.

Along with a fully voiced game, LucasArts revealed that each class in the game will be faction specific and have their own unique story line. As of now only three classes and two factions have been officially announced. The smuggler will be aligned with The Republic and the bounty hunter and the Sith will be aligned with The Empire. Other than humans, there is no official news on playable species. However word on the street is that Wookies will be an option. Stick that in the rumor pile for now.

Live out your Boba Fett wannabe fantasies.

Bioware and LucasArts have confirmed four planets that will be visitable:  Korriban, a Sith inhabited planet, Ord Mantell, home to smugglers and mercenaries,  Nal Hutta, a Hutt controlled planet, and Tython, a Jedi homeworld where The Force was discovered. With the expansive size of the Star Wars universe expect many more planets to be announced. LucasArts has also stated that space travel will certainly be part of the game, however details are scarce.

Tython, where The Force was discovered

The game will also include your standard MMO elements such as guilds, raids, crafts, and PvP. Perhaps we will get to play massive Jedi vs. Sith battles like in the trailer? I certainly hope so.

LucasArts is being tight lipped about subscription fees, level caps, and a release date. Rumors have been circulating about a possible one time price for a life time subscription but that is unconfirmed. With no official release date, don’t expect to see Star Wars: The Old Republic in stores anytime this year.