Immersed in a sea of Yoda figurines and Lego stormtrooper helmets, the Massive Entertainment video game studio in Malmo, Sweden, is gearing up to release their much-anticipated title, “Star Wars Outlaws”. The development process spanned years and transformed the developers from mere fans into skilled craftspeople working on a beloved epic. This transition from fandom to craftsmanship was a pivotal moment for the team, as game developer Mathias Karlson puts it, “We had to take a step back and make the journey from fandom to being a craftsperson together with Lucasfilms creating something new, a new perspective.”
For many at the studio, including operations director Alf Condelius, Star Wars holds a special place in their hearts since childhood. Condelius reminisces, “I was 11 years old when I saw the first film and when I got home, I asked myself how I’d lived 11 years without Star Wars.” This sentiment is echoed by Karlson, who describes the journey of creating “Star Wars Outlaws” as a fantastic experience that felt like reconnecting with childhood.
The collaboration between Massive Entertainment, owned by Ubisoft, and LucasFilm began in 2020 with the goal of developing an open-world game set in the Star Wars universe. Creative director Julian Gerighty emphasized the player’s role as the director of their own experience in “Star Wars Outlaws”. The game offers players a range of choices, from selecting vehicles to determining allegiances with criminal groups, to truly bring the bandit and outlaw adventure to life.
While there are already numerous games inspired by the Star Wars franchise, the creators of “Outlaw” aimed to provide players with greater freedom and agency within the game. Gerighty highlighted the creative freedom they had in introducing new elements to the game, offering a fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe. Players will follow the protagonist, Kay Vess, on her quest to pull off the heist of a lifetime in a galaxy filled with crime bosses, exploring planets, and forging alliances.
The game designers at Massive Entertainment drew inspiration from various sources, including George Lucas’s trilogies, Wild West films, and samurai epics. Cloe Hammoud, responsible for creating the game worlds, emphasized the cinematic realism used to capture the essence of the Star Wars films. The diverse team of creators from 57 countries worked together to evoke the atmosphere of the films, incorporating similar aesthetics and sound design.
“Star Wars Outlaws” offers approximately 60 hours of gameplay and caters to players of all ages. Set between the events of “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”, the game follows Kay Vess on her daring escapades across planets and through encounters with various characters. With a mix of new elements and familiar themes, the game promises an immersive experience for fans of the Star Wars saga.
The making of “Star Wars Outlaws” represents a transformative journey for the Massive Entertainment team as they transitioned from being fans of the franchise to skilled craftspeople creating their own unique entry in the Star Wars universe. With a focus on player agency, creative freedom, and immersive storytelling, the game aims to capture the essence of Star Wars while offering a fresh perspective on the beloved franchise. As anticipation builds for the release of “Star Wars Outlaws” on August 30, fans can look forward to embarking on a thrilling adventure in a galaxy far, far away.
Leave a Reply