Lucasfilm Games Partnership with Electronic Arts in 2013
When Lucasfilm Games awarded Electronic Arts the Star Wars license in 2013, it appeared to be a significant victory for the developer. However, despite this opportunity, the publisher released only a few Star Wars games, which were not without controversy. Most recently, Electronic Arts announced the cancellation of a first-person shooter developed by Respawn, the studio behind Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and the Titanfall series.
Emerging Era of Star Wars Games
Despite these setbacks, a new era for Star Wars games is on the horizon, with various studios currently developing their own unique adventures set in the expansive Star Wars universe. Here is a glimpse of what fans can look forward to:
Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws diverges from the conventional depiction of the Star Wars universe, focusing on a story beyond the saga of Skywalker and Palpatine. This upcoming third-person action title from Ubisoft Massive will center around Kay Vess and her droid companion Nix as they embark on a daring heist in the Outer Rim. The game is set between “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” and promises a fresh perspective for players. Fans of Ubisoft’s previous titles like The Division and Watch Dogs should anticipate the release of Star Wars Outlaws on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, although no exact launch date has been confirmed yet.
Star Wars Hunters
Star Wars Hunters, a free-to-play player-vs-player game developed by Zynga, introduces a diverse range of characters where players can select from bounty hunters, stormtroopers, and heroes of the rebellion for 4v4 arena battles. Set to be available on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android, Star Wars Hunters offers an immersive and interactive experience for Star Wars enthusiasts.
Untitled Star Wars Strategy Game
Bit Reactor, a studio founded by former Firaxis team members renowned for games like Civilization and XCOM, is collaborating with Respawn on an upcoming Star Wars strategy game. Inspired by turn-based gameplay similar to XCOM, this strategic title is poised to offer a unique gaming experience within the Star Wars universe, emphasizing tactical decision-making and engaging storytelling.
Star Wars Eclipse
Star Wars Eclipse takes players back to the High Republic era, set hundreds of years before the events of the original Star Wars trilogy. Developed by Quantic Dream, known for titles such as Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human, Star Wars Eclipse is expected to focus on player decisions and branching narratives, diverging from traditional game mechanics. While details regarding the gameplay, release date, and platforms remain scarce, the game promises an immersive and narrative-driven experience for Star Wars fans.
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