"Star Wars Outlaws Inspired by Samurai Media, Echoing Film Themes"

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

Inspiration from Ghost of Tsushima

In recent years, Star Wars has seen a resurgence, with Disney's The Mandalorian and this year's The Acolyte, and its gaming counterpart is keeping pace. Following the success of Star Wars Jedi Survivor last year, Star Wars Outlaws has quickly become a highly anticipated title for many fans. In an interview with GamesRadar+, the game's creative director, Julian Gerighty, shared a surprising inspiration: the samurai action game, Ghost of Tsushima.

Gerighty explained that his vision for Star Wars Outlaws was heavily influenced by Ghost of Tsushima due to its commitment to immersing players in a meticulously crafted world. Unlike other games that rely on repetitive tasks, Ghost of Tsushima offers a cohesive experience where the story, world, and characters seamlessly integrate with the gameplay. This approach resonated with Gerighty, who aimed to replicate this level of immersion in the Star Wars universe, enabling players to fully engage with 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 creating a seamless and captivating narrative. This vision ensures that players feel as though they are truly living within the Star Wars universe, not just playing a game set in it.

Influences from Assassin's Creed Odyssey

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

Gerighty had the advantage of consulting directly with the team behind Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which was invaluable. 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 allowed 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 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.