Today, LucasArts unveiled Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb, its next action adventure game, for the PC, the Sony PlayStation 2, and the Microsoft Xbox. The new game will feature the whip-cracking archeologist hero Indiana Jones, who must explore 10 different levels that represent areas from all over the world, including an ancient European castle and a secluded fortress in China. In the game, Indy must recover an ancient and powerful artifact--a black pearl known as the Heart of the Dragon--before a German mercenary and a secret criminal society can get to it. He'll begin his adventures in modern-day China, but he'll travel the globe with the help of Mei Ying, a female character who works with Indy's employer. In his travels, he'll be able to use both a pistol and his whip, but he'll also be able to engage his enemies in close combat using the game's new brawling system, which will put more emphasis on hand-to-hand fighting and will also let Indy pick up items, such as chairs and table legs, to use as weapons.

　　LucasArts also launched a new official Web site for the game, and it contains information about the game's setting and storyline, along with a gallery of screenshots and concept art. Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb is currently scheduled for release this fall, though the game will also be on display at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. We'll have more on this new game at the show.