An unconfirmed AAA action-RPG set in the Star Wars universe, codenamed Magellan, has been revealed through leaked development materials. The project, reportedly in development at Echtra Games before the studio was shut down by owner Zynga last year, appeared to be a third-person action-RPG with a gameplay loop reminiscent of the Borderlands series.
Official development materials suggest Magellan began production in 2021, with NaturalMotion also assisting. Footage shared by a former Echtra Games developer showcases shoot-and-loot gameplay, a departure from many traditional Star Wars titles. Players would have been able to choose between two distinct classes: Jedi and Mandalorian. Jedi characters would wield lightsabers and utilize the Force, while Mandalorians could employ jetpacks, flamethrowers, and a variety of ranged weapons. Both classes were slated to have access to gadgets such as electric grenades.
The core gameplay loop seemed to focus on acquiring "Booster Gear" from defeated enemies and opening reward chests, a clear parallel to the loot-driven progression found in games like Borderlands. The game also planned to feature an "NPC Bond System," allowing players to develop relationships with non-player characters.
Magellan was targeting a release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. However, work on the project has ceased, adding it to a list of canceled Star Wars games that includes Visceral's Project Ragtag and the unreleased Republic Commando sequel. While Magellan will not see the light of day, the Star Wars gaming landscape continues to evolve with upcoming releases like the XCOM-like Zero Company and Star Wars: Galactic Racer, alongside ongoing developments in other media such as Ahsoka's second season and the Star Wars: Starfighter movie.