"Star Wars Outlaws Draws From Samurai Cinema Inspirations"

The creative director of Star Wars Outlaws shares insights into how Ghost of Tsushima and Assassin's Creed Odyssey influenced the game's design. Explore how these inspirations helped shape this galactic open-world experience.

Behind the Scenes: Crafting Star Wars Outlaws' Immersive Galaxy

Ghost of Tsushima's Impact

As Star Wars enjoys renewed popularity through shows like The Mandalorian and The Acolyte, its gaming counterparts continue pushing boundaries. Following Star Wars Jedi Survivor's success, fans eagerly anticipate Star Wars Outlaws' release. Creative director Julian Gerighty surprised many by revealing Ghost of Tsushima as his primary inspiration.

Gerighty explained how Ghost of Tsushima's commitment to complete player immersion influenced his vision. Rather than relying on repetitive missions, the samurai game delivers a harmonious blend of narrative, worldbuilding, and gameplay - precisely what Gerighty wanted to achieve with Star Wars Outlaws. He aimed to transport players into the shoes of a galaxy-traveling rogue with that same seamless quality.

The director drew creative parallels between Tsushima's samurai journey and Outlaws' scoundrel's tale, stressing the importance of cohesive storytelling. This approach ensures players don't merely play a Star Wars game but truly inhabit its universe.

Lessons from Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Gerighty detailed how Assassin's Creed Odyssey influenced Star Wars Outlaws' expansive RPG mechanics and exploration-focused design. He particularly admired Odyssey's freedom of approach and scale, which encouraged organic discovery - elements he incorporated into his galactic adventure.

The director benefited from direct consultations with Odyssey's development team. Their guidance proved invaluable in balancing world size, travel mechanics, and environmental design while adapting these elements to Star Wars' unique requirements.

Despite Odyssey's influence, Gerighty consciously designed a more focused experience. Instead of a massive 150-hour campaign, Star Wars Outlaws offers a concise, story-driven adventure that maintains engagement throughout without overwhelming players.

Bringing the Outlaw Fantasy to Life

The development team centered Star Wars Outlaws around Han Solo-esque rogue fantasy. Gerighty described how this archetype unified their vision - creating opportunities for players to experience the thrill of navigating a galaxy brimming with danger and possibility.

This focus enabled crafting diverse gameplay moments: gambling in cantinas, speeding across alien landscapes, piloting spacecraft, and exploring planets. Seamless transitions between these activities reinforce the illusion of living as a bona fide Star Wars scoundrel.