Star Wars Outlaws Shares A Glimpse Into The Making Of A Galactic Adventure

Inspiration from Ghost of Tsushima

In recent years, the Star Wars franchise has seen a resurgence, with Disney's The Mandalorian and this year's The Acolyte capturing audiences worldwide. In the gaming sphere, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor set the stage last year, and now Star Wars Outlaws is eagerly awaited by fans. In an insightful interview with GamesRadar+, Julian Gerighty, the creative director of Star Wars Outlaws, shared a surprising influence: the samurai action game, Ghost of Tsushima.

Gerighty explained that Ghost of Tsushima inspired him due to its dedication to immersing players in a meticulously crafted world. Unlike games with repetitive tasks, Ghost of Tsushima delivers a cohesive experience where the story, world, and characters harmoniously align with gameplay. This resonated deeply with Gerighty, who aimed to replicate this level of immersion in the Star Wars universe, allowing players to fully embrace the fantasy of being an outlaw in a galaxy far, far away.

By drawing parallels between the samurai experience in Ghost of Tsushima and the scoundrel's journey in Star Wars Outlaws, Gerighty emphasized the importance of crafting a seamless and captivating narrative. This vision aims to ensure that players feel they are truly living in the Star Wars universe, not just playing a game set within it.

Influences from Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Gerighty also discussed how Assassin's Creed Odyssey influenced Star Wars Outlaws, particularly in creating a vast, explorative environment with RPG elements. He admired Assassin's Creed Odyssey for its freedom of approach and expansive world, which encouraged exploration and curiosity. This admiration translated into Star Wars Outlaws, where Gerighty sought to create a similarly expansive and engaging world.

The advantage of consulting directly with the team behind Assassin's Creed Odyssey proved invaluable for Gerighty. He frequently sought their advice on various aspects of game development, such as managing the size of the game world and ensuring reasonable traversal distances. This collaboration enabled him to incorporate successful elements from Assassin's Creed Odyssey while tailoring them to fit the unique needs of Star Wars Outlaws.

Despite his admiration for Assassin's Creed, Gerighty was clear that he wanted Star Wars Outlaws to offer a more condensed and focused experience. Instead of a sprawling 150-hour journey, he aimed for a narrative-driven adventure that players could realistically complete. This decision was influenced by his desire to create a game that was accessible and compelling, ensuring that players remained engaged from start to finish.

Crafting the Player Fantasy of Being an Outlaw

For the development team behind Star Wars Outlaws, the appeal of the scoundrel archetype, epitomized by Han Solo, became the central focus of the game. Gerighty explained that the concept of being a rogue in a galaxy filled with wonder and opportunity was the guiding principle that united all aspects of the game's development.

This focus on the outlaw fantasy allowed the team to create an experience that was both expansive and immersive. Players can engage in various activities, such as playing Sabacc in a cantina, riding a speeder across a planet, piloting a ship through space, and exploring different worlds. The seamless transition between these activities was designed to enhance the feeling of living out a scoundrel's adventure in the Star Wars universe.