Star Wars Outlaws Expands The Galaxy By Letting You Play A (Kind Of) Normal Person

As a long-time Star Wars fan with countless hours spent immersed in the galaxy far, far away, I was both thrilled and intrigued when I heard about Star Wars Outlaws, an upcoming open-world game developed by Massive Entertainment. Having grown up watching the original trilogy and expanding my knowledge through the prequels, sequels, and various expansions, I’ve come to know the Star Wars universe as a vast, intricately woven tapestry of stories, characters, and adventures.


Star Wars Outlaws offers a unique perspective unlike many other Star Wars games I’ve encountered. Unlike other games, it immerses players into the day-to-day life of the Star Wars universe, where one is trying to survive amidst those who possess greater power, connections, and danger than oneself.

At a recent sneak peek, I spent approximately four hours immersed in Star Wars Outlaws’ open world, assuming the role of Kay Vess, a scoundrel character. This game places significant emphasis on exploration and self-making as a criminal figure in the Outer Rim. As the thief Kay, you aim to make your mark in the underworld. What stood out was how relatable Kay seemed within the expansive Star Wars universe. She’s an adept thief with a gunslinger streak, but she can also be easily taken down by blaster fire and struggles to maintain composure during intimidating conversations. Additionally, she’s constantly evading those who seek her demise. Unlike the iconic Jedi heroes in Respawn’s Jedi games or the skilled soldiers and pilots of Battlefront and Rogue Squadron, as well as the proficient bounty hunters in The Old Republic, Kay offers a unique perspective for Star Wars fans.

As a dedicated Star Wars enthusiast, I find it fascinating how Massive Entertainment decided to humanize Kay in the Star Wars universe – a character who starts from scratch and must climb her way up. This creative choice opens up a fresh perspective for us fans, allowing us to delve into an unexplored facet of this expansive galaxy that we rarely get to witness.

Nikki Foy, the lead writer, explained during our interview that the most exceptional creations stem from drawing upon personal experiences – whether in writing, design, or creation. In other words, it’s crucial to create based on what you truly understand. Since we’re all ordinary individuals, it’s simple to identify with the characters like Kay. As for Star Wars characters such as Luke, Leia, and Han, there’s a sense of longing – ‘I want to be like them; they’re so cool. I wish I could wield a lightsaber or move objects with my mind.’ However, we can’t. Yet, this creates an exciting chance for us to explore these fantasies from our unique perspectives.

1. Foy mentioned that the writers working on Outlaws shared a connection through their shared, relatable experiences found within Kay’s narrative.

In the beginning of writing Kay, I recall being in the same room with Navid Khavari and our team of writers. Navid shared an insight at the start of Kay’s journey, saying, “I’m not sure if any of you have been through this,” and many of us had. He continued, “Think back to when you were young and felt the pang of hunger, unsure of when your next meal would come. Let’s bring that raw emotion with us as we embark on writing Kay. How do we escape this predicament? What lies ahead for our characters? Once we establish the emotional core, let’s integrate it into the wondrous galaxy and realm that we are passionate about.” From thereon, we aimed to base all relationships and narratives on this foundation.

Star Wars Outlaws Expands The Galaxy By Letting You Play A (Kind Of) Normal Person

At a particular point in the Star Wars saga, the storyline of Outlaws unfolds. This specific moment in time is significant and influences certain aspects of the plot. The events transpire between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. After the Rebellion’s devastating defeat at Hoth, the remnants of their forces are forced to flee and scatter across the galaxy. With the Empire’s attention solely focused on eradicating the remaining rebels, this period provides an opportunity for criminal elements in the galaxy to thrive.

1. In the initial glimpse, Kay found herself dwarfed among towering influencers, like a single ant amidst giants. On our first stopover at Toshara, during the event’s sneak peek, an Imperial governor was being secretly bribed by the notorious Pykes, a criminal organization. My tasks in this preview primarily revolved around either strengthening their alliance or sabotaging it to benefit other criminal groups.

1. Foy remarked, “This era in the Star Wars universe is truly captivating. The recent clash on Hoth has left a profound impact, with the Empire and Rebels engrossed in their conflict, leaving ordinary people struggling to maintain their lives amidst the chaos. For Kay, a typical citizen who finds herself in an unwanted predicament, survival becomes her primary goal. Despite being overlooked by the galaxy, she refuses to give up. She’s not here to save the galaxy; she’s fighting for her own existence. I believe this time period perfectly sets the stage for Kay’s story, a character who must be resourceful and learn from her mistakes.”

Star Wars Outlaws Expands The Galaxy By Letting You Play A (Kind Of) Normal Person

Although Massive appears to offer a unique take on Star Wars compared to what we’re accustomed to, it’s possible that Kay’s story could cross paths with familiar characters from the same era. During the preview event, Massive developers hinted at Lando Calrissian several times; he didn’t appear in the part I played, but it seems he will make an appearance at some point.

Foy remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the story that could be considered spoilers. However, she assured us that Outlaws includes familiar faces and scenes, while Kay plays a significant role in the larger galactic scheme.

1. In keeping with most Star Wars video games, it’s reasonable to anticipate plenty of recognizable settings. The initial gameplay segment unfolded on Toshara, a fresh planet specifically designed for this game, while later scenes were set on Kijimi, a world featured in The Rise of Skywalker. Mention was made of Tatooine too, and we know that the Hutt Cartel, an offshoot of Jabba the Hutt’s criminal empire, plays a significant role within the game.

Although Outlaws may explore well-known locations filled with recognizable landmarks tied to the broader universe, it appears that Massive could offer fresh perspectives on these familiar elements.

Star Wars Outlaws Expands The Galaxy By Letting You Play A (Kind Of) Normal Person

“When creating an open-world game set in the Star Wars universe, our initial reaction is to focus on fan favorites, such as Tatooine. It’s an enjoyable challenge for us to consider what Kay, our character, would observe. Rather than just presenting familiar sights, we aim to show the galaxy through Kay’s unique perspective.

Though I only spent a few hours playing Star Wars Outlaws, it gave me a vast feel and presented a unique Star Wars perspective that felt more authentic, lively, and inhabited than most games in the series. We’ll have to wait until its release on August 30th to see how well it manages to convey the sensation of being a minor player in an expansive galaxy, light-years away.

Star Wars Outlaws Expands The Galaxy By Letting You Play A (Kind Of) Normal Person

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2024-07-30 19:41