Star Warsis easily one of the most recognizable IPs on the planet, with the franchise spread across movies, TV shows, books, comics, video games, and practically any entertainment medium imaginable. Its fan base is just as vast and varied as the planets across theStar Warsuniverse, with each fan having their own unique stories and memories within the franchise. Whether someone was there for thefirstStar Warsmovie’s premiere in 1977, whether they stumbled across the movies airing on TV, or they somehow got their start with the books, TV shows, or video games, the common element ofStar Warsfandom is a love and passion unlike any other. For many,Star Warsisn’t just an IP - it’s a dream. And developers at Massive Entertainment are living that dream with the upcoming release ofStar Wars Outlaws.
Any dream worth chasing is one that’s not built overnight. Massive Entertainment pitched Lucasfilm on a “scoundrel fantasy” game focused on seamless open-world gameplay back in 2020, and now some four-odd years later, that dream is becoming a reality withStar Wars Outlaws. Game Rant recently spoke with several developers at Massive Entertainment, including creative director Julian Gerighty, art & world director Benedikt Podlesnigg, associate art director Marthe Jonkers, narrative director Navid Khavari, game director Mathias Karlson, and composer Wilbert Roget II, about realizing the dream that isStar Wars Outlaws.
Outlaws is Made For Star Wars Fans, By Star Wars Fans
If you take a group ofStar Warsfans and put them in a room together, the result is unpredictable. Debates are very common among the fandom, and there’s no doubt fans would debate which of theStar Warsmovies is the best, the importance of the Chosen One prophecy, the role of Midi-chlorians in the franchise, who the strongest character is, and even more. It would probably be neatly divided as well—and at least one of them is probably swearing up and down thatJar Jar Binks is a Sith Lord. There’s some beauty to this, and that’s the impact thatStar Warsas a whole has on any specific individual, including the developers ofStar Wars Outlaws.
When asked about their favorite moments in the franchise, their answers were as myriad as expected:
Interestingly, Gerighty, Podlesnigg, and Karlson all citedMax Rebo as their favoriteStar Warscharacter. Jonkers teetered back and forth between Darth Vader and Princess Leia, two classic picks. Khavari explained that it was Luke Skywalker when he was younger, how it was Han Solo in high school because he wished he could be that cool, and stated that his current favorite character is Lando Calrissian.
Recalling these memories of games, movies, characters, and decades upon decades of experience withStar Wars, Khavari said something that stuck - that feels like it encapsulates everything thatStar Wars Outlawsseeks to accomplish:
“To me, all these pieces are part of the fabric of Star Wars, and in a lot of ways I think Star Wars Outlaws is a love letter to this galaxy that has given so much.”
It is a game made by fans, for fans, who all loveStar Warsand everything it has given them over the years and all the dreams it has fueled.
Star Wars Outlaws Has Been a Scoundrel Fantasy Since Day One
Star Wars Outlawswas pitched as a Scoundrel Fantasy from day one, and every day since has been spent bringing that fantasy to life. Every time I think ofStar Wars Outlaws, I think of a conversation I had with a friend years ago where he insisted that anyStar Warsmedia couldn’t exist or succeed without Jedi or The Force. In his words, it was the only thing that madeStar Warsspecial, which made no sense to me.
This was years ago, but even then, we’ve seen characters and releases like Lando, Boba Fett, Beckett, Cad Bane, Dash Rendar,Andor, The Mandalorian, andThe Book of Boba Fett. Yes, some of these have little hints of The Force or Jedi, but they all excel without them because the world is richer than lightsabers and space magic. The beating heart of theStar Warsgalaxy is the dream promised in the stars. Scoundrels are woven into the DNA ofStar Warsjust as much as any other individual element because, at the heart of every scoundrel, is that dream of being free. Indeed, that richness is whatStar Wars Outlawstaps into.
Star Wars Outlawsis thefirst-ever open-worldStar Warsgame, set betweenTheEmpire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi. Players follow protagonist Kay Vess (and her adorable Merqaal companion Nix) as she seeks to pay off a debt and earn her freedom. She must assemble a crew, outwit the crime syndicates and ever-present Empire, and pull off a massive heist. In true heist fashion, fans can expect things to go awry and loyalties to be tested. But that’s part of that rich DNA too. Even thoughStar Wars Outlawsis a Scoundrel Fantasy, we had to ask if there would be any inkling of The Force or The Jedi. As Khavari explained,
“It was really important to us to tell a story that is really focused on characters who not only aren’t part of this epic galactic unrest, but who especially would have no experience with the Force or the Jedi. It’s important to remember the time period as well, where the Jedi and Force users are all but eradicated in the galaxy, so it’s not really our story to tell.
For us, the journey of Kay, Nix, and ND-5 navigating the criminal underworld through cities bustling with scoundrels, an open world filled with exotic wildlife, or jumping into dogfights with the Trailblazer brings an immersion into the Star Wars galaxy that we feel players will have never experienced before.”
While some fans will no doubt be hopeful until (and probably even after)Star Wars Outlaws' release, this is not bad news.Star Warsis not just The Force or the Jedi, andStar Wars Outlawsis tapping into those best bits, found only in wretched hives of scum and villainy.
Star Wars Outlaws - Meet The Crew
Kay Vess and Nix
Players will controlprotagonist Kay Vess(and by extension Nix) as the main stars ofStar Wars Outlaws, but joining their side is also ND-5, a BX-series droid commando in a trenchcoat. Vess was raised in the casino city of Canto Bight (as seen inThe Last Jedi), specifically within its worker’s district. The poverty and isolation away from the glitz and glam of the casino meant Vess struggled to survive, picking up her skills as a thief in Canto Bight’s streets. Envious, perhaps, of the rich, Vess dreams of leaving Cantonica behind and landing a major score that would set her and Nix up for life - setting the stage forStar Wars Outlaws.
She’s not alone, of course, as she’s joined by Nix.Merqaals are a new speciesto the Galaxy Far, Far Away, with the developers getting to add this adorable creature to the canon ofStar Wars. As Jonkers would explain, Merqaals originate from a jungle planet. This harsh environment led to the evolution of scales on their back, to protect from rain and predators, and they also have dexterous paws, big claws, and sharp teeth. A unique element to Merqaals are “feelers,” with Jonkers explaining that,
“With those, they can sense the environment for danger. Nix also uses them to communicate with Kay, putting them up when he is excited or has found something, curling them down when he is cautious.”
Vess and Nix are an iconic duo - not unlike Han and Chewie, C-3PO and R2-D2,Din Djarin and Grogu, or Cal Kestis and BD-1. When asked what Vess and Nix add to that dynamic, Khavari explained their unique role when standing on the shoulders of these giants:
“I do think there’s something particularly unique between Kay and Nix, in that they grew up together from when Kay was young. As Kay is someone who really doesn’t trust too easily, Nix represents a crack in the armor – her heart, her vulnerability.
We infused so much of our own pets into Nix’ character – I know whenever we were writing scripts or talking to Humberly (Gonzalez, who plays Kay) and our fantastic puppeteer Camille (Loiselle-D’Aragon) that we wanted to show Kay seeing Nix not just as a pet, but family. And I think players are really responding to that, as it’s so relatable.”
ND-5
When Gerighty described working with the history ofStar Wars, he explained the team was able to “add in little references to eras such asthe Clone Warsthrough ND-5 and some other details that players will discover.” It’s been explained that ND-5 fought heavily during the Clone Wars, eventually ending up in deep storage. ComeStar Wars Outlaws' timeline, though, he has been working as a personal enforcer and becomes entangled with Vess for this heist, but it’s unclear how much ND-5 can be trusted.
The Galaxy’s Most Wanted
There are criminal syndicates, bad guys, evil henchmen, and the Empire lurking around every corner, and it seems they all want a piece of Vess.
When it comes to how crime syndicates are represented inStar Wars Outlaws, Jonkers explained that,
“Each syndicate is unique. Not only in the types of units they deploy, but also the materials and colors they use, the equipment they have, their behavior, their 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 in who to trust very meaningful. And 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 his 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. The underworld is filled with a rich variety of characters, new and familiar, and I’m looking forward to players meeting them all.”
Exploring the Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Warsfans will have to wait and see how these characters and factions come together forStar Wars Outlaws' story, but that is still just scratching the surface of what the game offers. Being the first-ever open-worldStar Warsgame sets high expectations not just for the story, but also for the planets players will visit, for its on-planet gameplay, and for taking to the stars. Luckily, everything theStar Wars Outlawsdevs have told us checks all the right boxes.
Star Wars Outlaws Planets
Theplanets ofStar Wars OutlawsincludeTatooine, Toshara, Akiva, Kijimi, and Cantonica, and while there could still be a surprise location or two reserved for the final game, that’s already a solid line-up. Tatooine hardly needs any introduction as the desert planet home of Anakin and Luke Skywalker, having appeared in the franchise many times over.
Toshara, on the other hand, is a brand-new moon created by Massive Entertainment. It is a moon of the Toshaal system, with an environment akin to an African savanna with windswept plains and amber canyons. Its structure allowed pirates and bandits to make the moon their home, with it being known as the Gem of the Underworld.The Pyke Syndicateis performing some form of mining operation here, working with the corrupt Imperial governors of Toshara.
Akiva is an Outer Rim planetmost often mentioned inStar Warsbooks.Star Wars Outlawsis its first appearance in a major game, but what fans should know is that Akiva is a hotbed for wars across the galaxy. Despite being an Outer Rim planet, it has somehow found itself involved in them frequently, and that’s likely influenced its design inStar Wars Outlawsin some way. It is a hot jungle planet in contrast with Kijimi, a frigid mountainous planet. Kijimi is seen inThe Rise of Skywalker, where Rey and the others attempt to modify C-3PO so he can translate the ancient Sith dagger. Of course, things go awry. The First Order arrives, and eventually Kijimi is destroyed.
Lastly, Cantonica is most known for its role inThe Last Jediand Canto Bight. It is also the home of Kay Vess, which kicks off her entire adventure. What’s interesting when looking at these planets as a whole is how different they are in origin. Tatooine is a popular planet seen across the entire franchise, while Toshara is a brand-new, never-before-seen moon. Akiva is only seen in written works, while bothKijimi and Cantonica appear in theStar Warssequel trilogy. Ubisoft and Massive didn’t pull from one inspiration, even with the game’s focus on the 70s/80s vibe, and instead pulled from the entire history ofStar Wars. As a result, we had a lot of questions about these planets.
Podlesnigg on Creative Freedom with Planets
“Lucasfilm Games gave us a lot of freedom and worked very closely with us to ensure the authenticity of iconic locations. The team is full of Star Wars fans who really pushed at every corner to ensure we respect the source material, especially when it comes to Tatooine. Being able to really enter the Mos Eisley cantina, walk around in it and experience it within an open world is amazing.”
Podlesnigg on Recreating Tatooine
“We spent a lot of time looking at reference material. We tried to look at the things that would have inspired the people who worked on the movies at that time in addition to looking at Star Wars media. For Tatooine specifically, we looked at references that were used for the movies like the filming locations in Death Valley / Tunisia. We also tried to stay true to depictions of some of the locales shown in the books where you see cutaway images of them.”
Podlesnigg on Designing Toshara
“When creating Toshara we came to Lucasfilm Games with the idea of what we wanted to do and then worked with them closely to verify everything fits together. We had a lot of freedom when creating this special moon so we could really go very deep into the world building to create a location that fits within Star Wars but also feels real.”
Podlesnigg on Taking Akiva From the Pages to the Screen
“For Akiva, we dove into the books… really digging deep into the descriptions of the world and creating a visual language that would fit that description. For example, the book described the buildings having a thick stucco material, so when you look in the game you can see a rough, thick layer of painted stucco on buildings. But also, the idea of Monkey lizards as invasive species being the city’s pests was a great way to bring those creatures into the game.”
Podlesnigg on Making a Pre-Last Jedi Version of Cantonica
“For Cantonica, we tried to imagine what it would be 30 years before we see it in the movie. Imagine a location that is not fully developed, where there is a big workers district that contrasts with the rich Casinos. This gave us a chance to really show a contrast in locations.”
Podlesnigg on Taking Kijimi and Cantonica from Movie Screen to Game Screen
“For both Kijimi and Canto Bight, we had resources available to us from Lucasfilm that were used when crafting the locations within their respective movies, which helped us to stay very authentic to the established layouts of the locations.”
Star Wars Outlaws Space Exploration
Planets are just one part of the formula, asStar Warsis just as much defined by its starships and space battles/exploration as any planet. EverynumberedStar Warsmainline filmbegins in space and transitions down to a planet when necessary, and that moment is reflected in the games. It could not truly be called an “open-world game” if leaving a planet meant hitting a loading screen, so the transition from planet to orbit to outer space is seamless. It was one of the first goals ofStar Wars Outlawsand that makes it truly remarkable. In fact, Stormtroopers on a planet’s surface can pursue players into space, which is mind-blowing and bound to lead to some memorable encounters.
As Karlson explained, the design ofStar Wars Outlaws' exploration and space combat began with the fundamental Scoundrel Fantasy of having a starship to call home. It needed to be something nimble and armed enough for dogfights but also defensive enough for dangerous trench runs and dealings with the various crime syndicates. EnterThe Trailblazer. When asked abouthow they designedThe Trailblazer, Gerighty explained,
“Starships in Star Wars are iconic and all immediately recognizable due to their striking silhouettes, and it really was very exciting to create not only a new ship design but also a backstory for this ship too – it really has had quite a journey of its own before Kay permanently borrows it. The other thing that stood out is that the shapes used are often based on real-world items, and in our case, we took a lot of inspiration from toys of the 70s/80s as well as turtles and armored trucks with their shell plating which worked well for what we envisioned forThe Trailblazer.”
WithThe Trailblazerestablished, then came realizing part ofStar Wars Outlaws' initial pitch: seamless open-world gameplay. As Karlson explained, “It was really important to us that space was seamlessly part of the open world experience. You decide when to go there and what to do. The different space regions are also distinctly different from each other. For example, the dense debris fields around Toshara are in stark contrast to the less busyspace around Tatooine.” Since orbital space around these planets differ, that’ll help the identity of each planet players visit. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean something like Tatooine is less dangerous than Toshara. Karlson explained players should be prepared for “everything from Imperial Patrols to Syndicate ships and the occasional pirate.”
When it comes to taking on these orbital encounters and exploring the stars, Karlson says “risk and reward is a central theme in space overall.” OperatingThe Trailblazeris more arcade than simulation, and space can consist of one-on-one dog fights, significantly bigger battles, becoming Wanted and being chased by the Empire, helping out a Syndicate for Reputation, getting ambushed by pirates in an asteroid field, and more. Indeed, it sounds likeStar Wars Outlawstruly runs the gamut for bonafide space encounters. Of course, noStar Warsspace exploration is incomplete without hyperspace travel, with Podlesnigg briefly discussing what it was like recreating it in-game:
“The first time I pushed the sticks forward to enter hyperspace I had a smile of pure joy on my face. Whenever I play the game, I actively avoid fast travel just to experience this moment. We did look at a lot of footage of hyperspace travel in Star Wars to really nail down the dynamic of every step. The light on the ship, the movement going into and out of it. There is a lot of nuance to it that is hard to imagine before you have to recreate it yourself.”
Channeling the Star Wars Score
The work of John WilliamsandStar Wars' overall musical orchestration is as iconic as any other element of the franchise. For fans, that’s good news because composer Roget II began with the “classic John Williams sound” as the first point of reference. He believed its focus on melody and nuanced yet direct orchestration works well withOutlaws' focus on a character-driven story. However, he added to that by focusing on the underbelly ofStar Warsmore so than the original orchestration:
“I also sought to create a new, modern, and unique sound forOutlawsthat underscores the grungy and diverse world of Star Wars’ criminal underbelly. This involved using analog synthesizers, found percussion, instruments played in non-traditional ways, processed sounds, and world instruments to add color and depth to the scoundrel adventure. Every character, faction, and planet has its own set of instruments, signature sounds, and musical themes, and every piece in the score has a blend of both the traditional Star Wars sound as well as the newOutlawssound; as we go deeper into the criminal underground, processed and synthesizer-based sounds become more prominent.”
Living The Scoundrel Fantasy
Just as important is howStar Wars Outlawsfeels when boots are on the ground. As an open-world game, there is a certain freedom to how players approach gameplay. Kay Vess can go in guns blazing (and Khavari insists Vess is the “shoot first” type in a situation like Han and Greedo), or she can approach things stealthily. She can rely on her blasters as equally as she can rely on Nix, who she can give commands to. Nix can interact with key environment elements, attack enemies, distract them, or fetch supplies, among other possible options.
She can also activate various different modes on her blasters, such as Stun, Focused, or Blaster. In a pinch, Vess also has an ability called Adrenaline Rush that’s a lot likeRed Dead Redemption’s Dead Eye Targeting, as it slows down time and lets Kay make quick shots. It perfectly adds to that Scoundrel Fantasy. Over time, players will be able to invest in Vess and Nix’s abilities, making them even more deadly in combat.
Star Wars Outlawsalso offers a lot of mechanics for exploring each planet. There is a grappling hook, andgrappling hooks always make games better. There is a hacking device for locked doors and the like, which includes terminals and splicing mini-games, while there is a speeder bike that Vess can hop on at a moment’s notice. Just like it is withThe Trailblazer, enemies can pursue Vess when she is on the speeder bike in trueStar Warsfashion. Notably, however, some Scoundrel Fantasies aren’t about stealth and being quick with a blaster; sometimes it’s about having a silver tongue.
Star Wars Outlawsfeatures a dialogue tree that will allow Vess to talk her way out of certain scenarios, such as choosing to bribe a corrupted Imperial official (or not). Sometimes these choices will impact Vess' reputation with a criminal syndicate. It’s not yet certain how deep this system goes, but having some control over Kay’s reputation should go a long way in defining her character.
More than anything, though,open-world gamesneed something special to them. Open-world games are perhaps one of the most popular and busiest genres in gaming, so while hitting all the high points of the genre is important, nailing that special factor is even more so. ForStar Wars Outlaws, that special factor is how every mechanic bleeds into one another, with three important features feeding further into that:Experts, Reputation, and Wanted.
Star Wars Outlaws' Expert NPCs
While there will be some core upgrades to Kay Vess, another form of progression in the game is based around her interactions withStar Wars Outlaws' Expert NPCs. When Kay meets these NPCs, players can accomplish tasks that unlock unique upgrades, improving their overall character. For example, one trailer showed the Bartender upgrade and a perk called Fast-Talk, which allows players to stall alerted enemies. To unlock it, players need to defeat five enemies with melee and take down three distracted guards. This gives players plenty of reasons to invest in Expert NPCs, while engaging in the world around them. When asked how the Expert system came to be, Karlson explained that,
“We wanted the unlocking of new equipment and abilities in Star Wars Outlaws to be very tangible and closely connected to both the world and interesting characters, for each unlock to be a little adventure in itself and a compelling reason to explore. That’s how the idea of ‘Experts’ took shape.
Each expert is a gateway to a number of unlocks, but first, you have to reach them…Once you do, you don’t know exactly what to expect. What are they like and what will they want from you? It will however always be an adventure, from which you are awarded one of their most precious unlocks.”
Every Expert NPC will have a unique set of requirements for each of their unlocks, which give players “different goals and ways to engage with the game and the world.” Karlson also provided another example of an unlock that “asks you to jump your speeder 60 meters without crashing – and suddenly you find yourself looking at the world around you like a motocross park, in search of the biggest jumps.” These unlocks can drastically change every aspect of Vess and allow players to invest in the world around them and their character in unique ways. It’s an exciting system, especially knowing that these Experts represent several different facets ofStar Wars, like the gunslinger.
Star Wars Outlaws' Reputation System
BothStar Wars Outlaws' Reputation and Wanted systemswere essential pieces to realize that Scoundrel Fantasy. This reputation system represents the transactional nature of the underworld, specifically with the four core criminal syndicates. Throughout the game, players will make key decisions or tackle certain missions that impact these criminal syndicates. Attacking the Hutts, for example, will reduce Vess' reputation with them, while completing missions for them will increase it.
Not only does this system impact how missions are completed (a poor reputation with the Pykes will see increased defenses against Vess, while a good reputation could let her walk around their bases without a sweat), but it also have its own rewards such as armor sets when maxed out. This system works well with the Scoundrel Fantasy ofStar Wars Outlaws, but also it’s enough to imagine how Han Solo’s reputation withthe Hutt Cartelor the Guavian Death Gang went.
There is also an A/B dynamic when it comes to these criminal syndicates. They don’t like each other, and doing something to gain a reputation with one will possibly result in losing reputation with another. As Karlson explained,
“A very important aspect of its design is that you are never stuck, and you don’t have to stick with one specific syndicate. You will definitely be able to gain an excellent reputation with each syndicate at some point in your journey through the game – just not with all of them at the same time. They don’t like each other… So, what is appreciated by one is often frowned upon by another, presenting you as a player with lots of fun A/B choice moments.”
Star Wars Outlaws' Wanted System
A Scoundrel is an outlaw, and an outlaw is always, always anti-authority. Vess deals with Imperials and Stormtroopers throughout the game, and she can get their unwanted attention. Whether by directly attacking them, doing something obviously illegal, or so on, Vess can trigger a Wanted status. The highest level is Wanted 6, and players will be swarmed with more and more Stormtroopers as that Wanted level increases.
At Level 6, Death Troopers are deployed. These incredibly tough enemies set up camp, and players can infiltrate these camps to erase their Wanted status. Of course, Death Troopers are not taken down as easily as Stormtroopers. This Wanted status can still follow players into space where, at Level 6, massive enemy ships can attackThe Trailblazer.There is a way to end the Wanted status while in space too (and other options in general), but the way all of this weaves in and out of each other is remarkable. While discussingStar Wars Outlaws' Wanted system, Karlson explained how the sheer premise of the game “begs” for a Wanted system:
“An open-world Star Wars game about an outlaw – a scoundrel – set between Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, when the Empire is at the peak of its power and reach. It begs for a Wanted System. It adds not just immersion and fantasy fulfillment, but also dynamic fun to the entire game world – from city streets to space. A world that reacts to your actions in an intuitive way…and…lets you try to fight as many Stormtroopers as you can.”
Ancient Weapons Are No Match for a Good Blaster
There’s no Jedi to save the day, no presence of The Force guiding Kay Vess and Nix, and no Skywalker to unceremoniously lose a hand. There’s just Vess, her companion Nix, her trustworthy Trailblazer, and the blaster at her side. It’s a different type ofStar Warsstory, one just as important as the Jedi, and that’s the kid forced to grow up on the streets of an unforgiving galaxy. Despite her hardships, Vess has a dream - just asStar Wars Outlawsis a dream game for its developers. When talking aboutStar Wars Outlaws' Scoundrel Fantasyand how the developers worked to realize it, Gerighty explained:
“We looked at a lot of Star Wars media and of course iconic scoundrels of the series such as Han Solo and Lando Calrissian, but for Kay Vess, we wanted to create a modern, new scoundrel. She’s someone we wanted to be really grounded and relatable.
She grew up in the Worker’s District of Canto Bight with no one but Nix by her side, seeing the rich get richer and having nothing. That’s really her drive: to create a life where her and Nix can travel the galaxy without answering to anyone.”
Her dream of freedom and a good life is relatable and speaks to the heart ofStar Wars. EveryStar Warsstoryis a tale of oppression and freedom in some form, andStar Wars Outlawsfocuses on that escape that every child from the streets dreams of. More than its Jedi vs. Sith conflict, more than its Chosen One prophecy, more than The Force, the heart ofStar Warsis a dream. And, as part of their dream to makeStar Wars Outlaws, the developers at Massive Entertainment have woven the dream to be free into every element of this Scoundrel Fantasy.
