Star Wars Outlaws: A Galactic Adventure Inspired by Samurai and Open Worlds
Star Wars Outlaws' creative director, Julian Gerighty, recently revealed the surprising inspirations behind the game's development: Ghost of Tsushima and Assassin's Creed Odyssey. This blend of influences shapes the game's unique open-world adventure.
The Spirit of Ghost of Tsushima
Gerighty cited Ghost of Tsushima as a major influence, praising its immersive world design and cohesive gameplay. Unlike games bogged down by repetitive tasks, Ghost of Tsushima delivers a focused experience where narrative, world, and gameplay are perfectly interwoven. This inspired Gerighty to create a similarly immersive Star Wars experience, allowing players to fully inhabit the role of a galactic outlaw. The parallels between the samurai's journey and the scoundrel's path are key to the game's narrative design.
Learning from Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey also played a significant role, particularly in shaping the game's expansive world and RPG elements. Gerighty admired the game's freedom and scale, fostering exploration and player agency. He consulted directly with the Odyssey team, leveraging their expertise in managing world size and traversal distances. However, unlike Odyssey's sprawling length, Outlaws aims for a more focused, narrative-driven adventure, ensuring a compelling experience from beginning to end.
Embracing the Outlaw Fantasy
Central to Outlaws' design is the classic Star Wars scoundrel archetype, reminiscent of Han Solo. This focus on the outlaw fantasy drives the game's development, allowing for a diverse range of activities. Players can seamlessly transition between playing Sabacc, speeding across planets, piloting ships, and exploring diverse worlds, all contributing to the immersive experience of living the life of a Star Wars outlaw.