Star Wars Outlaws Draws from Samurai, Honors Film Origins

Star Wars Outlaws' creative director reveals how Ghost of Tsushima and Assassin's Creed Odyssey shaped the game's development. Discover how these inspirations helped craft Star Wars Outlaws' immersive open-world adventure.

Star Wars Outlaws Offers Behind-the-Scenes Look at Galactic Adventure Creation

Ghost of Tsushima's Lasting Impact

As Star Wars enjoys renewed popularity through Disney's The Mandalorian and The Acolyte, its gaming counterparts continue to evolve. Following last year's Star Wars Jedi Survivor, anticipation builds for Star Wars Outlaws. Creative director Julian Gerighty surprised fans by citing samurai epic Ghost of Tsushima as his primary inspiration.

Gerighty explained how Ghost of Tsushima's unwavering commitment to world immersion directly influenced Star Wars Outlaws' development. Unlike games relying on repetitive mechanics, Sucker Punch's masterpiece delivers a cohesive experience where narrative, environment, and gameplay harmonize perfectly. This philosophy resonated deeply with Gerighty, who sought to replicate that immersive quality within Star Wars' galaxy - letting players truly embody a roguish outlaw.

By drawing parallels between Tsushima's samurai journey and Outlaws' scoundrel narrative, Gerighty emphasized crafting seamless storytelling. This approach ensures players don't just play a Star Wars game - they inhabit the universe.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey's Legacy

Gerighty openly acknowledged Assassin's Creed Odyssey's influence, particularly its expansive RPG environments and exploration-focused design. He praised Odyssey's freedom-oriented approach and vast world design that rewarded player curiosity. These elements directly translated to Star Wars Outlaws' development philosophy.

The developer benefited from direct consultation with Assassin's Creed Odyssey's team, frequently seeking guidance on world scaling and traversal mechanics. This collaboration allowed meaningful adaptation of Odyssey's successful elements while tailoring them to Star Wars' unique needs.

Despite these influences, Gerighty clarified Outlaws would deliver a more focused experience than Odyssey's sprawling campaign. Rather than a 150-hour marathon, he envisioned a complete narrative adventure prioritizing accessibility and sustained engagement.

The Rogue Fantasy Realized

The development team centered Star Wars Outlaws around the scoundrel fantasy exemplified by Han Solo. Gerighty described this rogue archetype - navigating a galaxy of wonder and opportunity - as the unifying vision guiding every design decision.

This outlaw-focused approach enabled creation of diverse yet cohesive gameplay. Players can enjoy Sabacc in smoky cantinas, speeder bike races across planets, starship piloting through space, and expansive world exploration. Seamless transitions between these activities reinforce the authentic scoundrel experience within Star Wars' beloved universe.