Star Wars Outlawsis fast approaching release, and as the highly anticipated entry from Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft draws nearer, fans will soon be able to jump fully into its expansive setting. Along with being the first open-world title in the IP’s storied history of game adaptations,Star Wars Outlawsintroduces a new character in its protagonist, Kay Vess.Outlawswill follow Kay’s quest to rise above the riffraff of the galaxy to become a legendary underworld figure during the series' popular Imperial Era.
This framework paved the way for a central narrative and gameplay vision revolving around the collection of nefarious groups that Kay will come into contact with (and plot against) during her endeavors. Chatting with Game Rant, associate art director Marthe Jonkers spoke more about this assortment ofcriminal organizations inStar Wars Outlaws, and their respective leaders, that players will be meeting and double-dealing with throughout the course of Kay’s escapades.
How Star Wars Outlaws' Cast of Criminals Was Chosen and Created
Making The Criminal Factions in Star Wars Outlaws Distinct and Recognizable
The factions that Kay will encounter run the gamut from generally well-known to slightly more obscure, each with its own modus operandi. Yet, all still fit seamlessly into the overall vibe and tone ofStar Wars Outlaws' directionand story. When asked about the process of designing the various sects to ensure that they remain a well-defined and believable part of the world, and how this also will impact player decisions regarding them, Jonkers noted:
“Each Syndicate is unique. Not only in the types of units they deploy, but the materials and colors they use, their equipment, behavior, and associated activities. Some are completely entwined with their base location like the Ashiga on Kijimi; some are very organized and operating from the shadows like Crimson Dawn. That makes your choices of whom to trust very meaningful.”
Star Wars Outlawsis thus paying careful attention to bringing its criminal factions to lifein a modern generation title, which should hopefully allow players to tailor their decisions and playstyles around each one’s benefits and drawbacks.
Working With Lucasfilm on Nailing the Details for Star Wars Outlaws' Classic Gangsters
Due to its setup, themes, and place in the timeline, this allowsStar Wars Outlawsto feature a few of the most established underworld figures in the franchise, an enticing prospect for both fans and developers. Expanding on what it was like incorporating some of the bigger names, like Jabba the Hutt andLady Qi’ra, inStar Wars Outlaws, Jonkers highlighted the valuable assistance provided by Lucasfilm that helped translate the characters authentically into the game:
“As Kay dives into the underworld, she, of course, inevitably runs into some familiar faces like Lady Qira, or Jabba the Hutt! We had tons of fantastic reference materials provided to us by Lucasfilm to really dive into the details of [Jabba’s] design, whether it was tweaking the slime around his nostrils and mouth to adding the design of his arm tattoo and the wound he has on his tail.”
With a diverse cast that includes a host of unsavory characters both familiar and fresh, the upcoming entry is poised to bring fans face to face with a number ofStar Wars' most infamous gangstersalongside some lesser-known, but no less interesting ones. Massive Entertainment will task players with choosing which ones they think they can work with, and which might be deserving of more duplicitous or aggressive tactics. Fans can soon decide their own path through the underworld whenStar Wars Outlawsreleases on Jun 24, 2025.
