Lucasfilm Games is broadening its strategy for Star Wars titles, looking to collaborate with a wider range of studios, including those outside the traditional AAA space. This approach aims to explore diverse genres and deliver unique experiences within the Star Wars universe, according to Lucasfilm Games VP Douglas Reilly.
Recent successes like Reactor Films' Star Wars Zero Company, a turn-based tactics game, and Fuse Games' Star Wars Galactic Racer, a roguelite racing title, have demonstrated the potential of working with independent studios. Reilly emphasized that while large-scale AAA games remain a core part of the strategy, the company is interested in opportunities that can be brought to life by studios of varying sizes, whether that's AAA or AA.
The focus is on finding partners capable of delivering high-quality titles that fulfill specific Star Wars fantasies, rather than solely targeting major publishers. Reilly noted that Lucasfilm Games expects to announce partnerships with studios that may come as a surprise to many.
Fuse Games, for instance, was founded by former Criterion Games developers who contributed to EA's Burnout and Need for Speed series, as well as previous Star Wars: Battlefront titles. This background highlights how experienced teams, even within newer studios, can be attractive partners.
While smaller studios are being considered, the success of major Star Wars games is not being overlooked. The Battlefront series, for example, has achieved significant popularity, selling over 33 million units combined by 2019. Similarly, Konami has found success by entrusting its Silent Hill franchise to external developers like Bloober Team, NeoBards Entertainment, and Screen Burn Interactive.
Looking ahead, a notable upcoming title is the single-player RPG Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic. This game is being developed by Arcanaut Studios, a new studio led by industry veteran Casey Hudson, who previously worked on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect.