Outlaws Developers Discuss Adding a New World to Star Wars
Star Wars: Outlaws is breaking new ground by introducing a moon that doesn’t retread familiar locations like Tatooine. Instead, it features the newly created Toshara, a realm developed by Massive Entertainment. Home to the Pyke criminal gang, Toshara is visually distinct with its massive deposits of crystalline orange material and cities carved directly from mountainsides. Julian Gerighty, the creative director at Massive Entertainment, shared his experiences of developing this unique addition to the Star Wars universe with Game Informer.
“It’s incredibly fun, and a humbling learning experience. No matter how much you think you know about Star Wars, there’s always more to learn,” Gerighty explained. He highlighted that the simplicity and beauty of existing Star Wars locales have significantly influenced their design approach.
What defines a Star Wars location? According to Gerighty, it’s a blend of the recognizable and the alien. Toshara, for instance, draws inspiration from the savannas of East Africa, yet it’s made unique by the fantastical Amberite material streaking through the landscape and integrating into the architecture of wind-swept cities nestled in mountain crags—familiar, yet distinctly otherworldly.
Star Wars Outlaws will also introduce new characters such as the “emerging scoundrel” Kay Vess and her fluffy sidekick Nix, along with the Trailblazer spaceship and the insectile Ashiga crime syndicate. These elements enrich the narrative as Kay navigates interactions with various underworld groups, including the casino-operating Zerek Besh from Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Integrating these innovations into the Star Wars canon involved meticulous discussions with Lucasfilm. “We have weekly calls to refine our designs and align our vision with the Star Wars lore, ensuring our creations can seamlessly enter the canon,” Gerighty stated. This collaborative process has led to the official inclusion of elements like the Ashiga clan and Toshara into the Star Wars universe, which Gerighty finds deeply gratifying.
Despite the excitement of adding to such a prestigious IP, there’s an awareness of the volatile history of Star Wars projects, such as the closure of LucasArts and the cancellation of several games. Gerighty remains cautiously optimistic about navigating the future, even as Disney experiments with blending Star Wars with other franchises like Fortnite.
As Star Wars Outlaws approaches its release on August 30, 2024, there’s a palpable excitement about exploring its mountain cities and meeting its unique version of Jabba the Hutt. It’s a testament to the enduring allure and expansiveness of the Star Wars universe, continually evolving under the stewardship of new generations of creators.
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