5 Key Stages in the Development of Star Wars Outlaws
Now that we’re in a galaxy far, far away, we’ve become accustomed to epic space battles, dashing scoundrels and lightsabers phasing through droids. But have you ever wondered how the magic is woven together for video games? Ubisoft Toronto and Massive Entertainment opened the doors to reveal how they brought Star Wars Outlaws, one of the most exciting Upcoming Video Games of 2024, to life. Spoiler alert: it involves a combination of creativity, sweat and blue puppets.
Where the Story Begins
Script writing for a galaxy far, far away — though it was never quite that simple Until the actors deliver the lines, “The script is not complete,” said Navid Khavari, the narrative director. Sounds simple, right? Except in Star Wars Outlaws, which isn’t a straight line from point a to b. It’s a 30-hour open-world adventure that includes main missions, side quests and occasions in which your character, Kay Vess, may stumble over her own schemes.
voiced by Ginny & Georgia star Humberly González, underwent a minor personality glow during development. Originally written to be “very snarky,” González proposed adding extra heart to make her more relatable. And just like that, Kay became the lovable hot mess we can all get behind — a “failing forward” hero.
Acting Without a Galaxy
Star Wars Outlaws’ performance isn’t all glamour. Forget verdant alien worlds and rad outfits. So instead, the actors were trapped in a padded white motion capture sound stage, wearing spandex bodysuits dotted with lights. Fancy, right?
But there was one surprise scene-stealer among them, and it’s a blue stuffed toy on a stick. This wasn’t just any toy. That was Nix, Kay’s lovable alien sidekick, operated by puppeteer. “He even got a glow-up!” González jokes. “Hair, a tongue — seriously, Nix lived his best life!” The puppeteer, in between takes, would work to keep Nix in character, chirping and wagging his little fabric limbs. You might call it an emotional support alien.
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From Storyboards to Stardom
You don’t become one of the Top Video Games of the Year by just having great acting. It also needs a lot of visual thinking. The team made more than 1,000 storyboards, plotting everything from Kay’s thrilling spaceship crash to her speeder bike pursuits. And if you’re wondering how that adds up in terms of effort, try storyboarding 20,000 individual frames. (No pressure.)
Bogdan Draghici, a director who has worked on movies such as Avengers: Endgame, likened it to filmmaking but with additional obstacles. “In film, you have actors and sets. On games, we have digital puppets,” he said. Scoring players when everything’s in the metaverse isn’t an easy task.
Teamwork Across the Globe
Ubisoft Toronto wasn’t the only studio creating the game. They also collaborated with Massive Entertainment in Sweden because apparently game development is the ultimate long-distance relationship. Since there is a six-hour time difference, they worked out a system of sharing ideas overnight. Toronto would submit updates before getting into bed, and Sweden would wake up to address them. Who said game dev can’t be an international pen pal system?
A Rancor Encounter
What is a Star Wars game without some nostalgia? The Toronto team was excited to be working on the rancor, the giant monster from Return of the Jedi. They went deep into research, watching each rancor scene in order to nail the creature’s monstrous but also strangely endearing vibe. One developer quips, “It was like reuniting with an old friend — just a really, really terrifying old friend.”
The Final Frontier
It was a huge undertaking to bring Star Wars Outlaws to life. We can see the Evolution already with New Video Game and Latest Video Game Releases and New Video Game Reviews. It has it all: a dashing scoundrel, an endearing alien partner in crime, walloping Star Wars scale action.
So next time you review Star Wars Outlaws or any of our Upcoming Video Games 2024, keep in mind — these aren’t just pixels and polygons. It’s actors in skin tight suits, directors grappling with digital puppets, and a blue stuffed toy that stole the show. May the Force — and Nix — be with you!
FAQ
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Star Wars Outlaws is an upcoming open-world adventure game set in the Star Wars universe. The game follows Kay Vess, a “failing forward” hero on a 30-hour journey filled with main missions, side quests, and unpredictable outcomes. Kay’s adventure is filled with action, drama, and emotional growth, enriched by the inclusion of a lovable alien sidekick, Nix.
