Fortnite is set to expand its Star Wars offerings with the upcoming release of "Star Wars: Smuggler's Gambit." This new experience, built in Unreal Engine, aims to bridge the gap between the virtual world of Epic Games' battle royale and the physical attractions at Disney theme parks.
Smuggler's Gambit directly connects to the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run attraction found in Disneyland and Disney World's Galaxy's Edge. Players can link their Epic Games and MyDisney accounts, which will "unlock a special experience" when visiting the parks. The exact nature of this park-based enhancement remains to be seen, but it follows previous special modes such as the "Grogu mode" introduced following the ride's re-theme to The Mandalorian.
The core of Smuggler's Gambit is a player-versus-environment (PvE) multiplayer online game. Set on the planet Ord Ryla, players will gather at a hub area featuring the grounded ship, the Scuttled Sparrow. The hub includes vendors, a mission board, and a spot to interact with Hondo Ohnaka, voiced by Jim Cummings. From here, players can vote on available missions, which then launch from a nearby dock.
Gameplay mechanics will feel familiar to Fortnite players, but the developers state the experience is approachable for newcomers. Players can choose from three distinct classes, mirroring those on the Smuggler's Run ride: Pilot, Gunner, and Engineer. Pilots benefit from increased stamina regeneration and a scanner to detect nearby enemies. Gunners can deploy a droid ability to target hardened enemies or groups. Engineers have expanded roles compared to the ride, able to deploy protective dome shields and regenerate team shields.
Missions range from straightforward "defeat everyone" scenarios to more complex objectives. Examples include "The Imperial Patrol," "The Pirate Raid" against Rathtar Raiders, "The Pirate Hunt" involving destroying supply caches, "The Heist" into an Imperial vault, and "The Reverse Robbery" to recover stolen cargo. Players will face Stormtroopers, some armed with advanced weaponry, as well as aggressive native wildlife that can sometimes create distractions for the player and their enemies.
Cooperation is emphasized, particularly on higher difficulties. Players can level up their characters and weapons throughout their missions. The game also features three factions, including the Veta Syndicate run by Nexa Jette and the Silent Circle led by "The Voice." Engaging with these factions offers side activities that add depth to the game's world.
Star Wars: Smuggler's Gambit is scheduled for release on August 16. The developers suggest the experience is preferable when played with friends and serves as a compelling way to extend the theme park experience into players' homes, or vice versa.