The creative director of Star Wars Outlaws shares how titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Assassin's Creed Odyssey fueled the game's creation. Discover how these inspirations helped shape its open-world galaxy.

A Look Inside the Making of Star Wars Outlaws' Galactic Quest

The Ghost of Tsushima Influence

As Star Wars enjoys a resurgence with shows like The Mandalorian and The Acolyte, its gaming universe is keeping pace. Following last year's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, this year's Star Wars Outlaws is one of the most anticipated releases. In an interview with GameRadar+, creative director Julian Gerighty revealed a key inspiration: the samurai epic, Ghost of Tsushima.

Gerighty felt deeply inspired by Ghost of Tsushima's commitment to immersing players in a meticulously crafted world. Rather than relying on repetitive tasks, the game delivers a pure, cohesive experience where story, setting, and characters are perfectly aligned with the gameplay. This philosophy resonated with Gerighty, who aimed to replicate that deep sense of immersion within the Star Wars galaxy, letting players fully embrace the fantasy of life as an outlaw.

Drawing a parallel between the samurai's journey in Ghost of Tsushima and the scoundrel's path in Star Wars Outlaws, Gerighty stressed the need for a seamless and captivating narrative. The goal is to make players feel they are truly inhabiting the Star Wars universe, not merely playing a game set within it.

Lessons from Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Gerighty also discussed the impact of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, particularly its vast, exploration-driven world enriched with RPG mechanics. He admired the game's sense of freedom and scale, which rewarded player curiosity—elements he wanted to capture in Star Wars Outlaws.

Having direct access to the Assassin's Creed Odyssey development team proved invaluable. Gerighty frequently consulted them on various challenges, from managing the game's world size to ensuring travel distances felt reasonable. This collaboration allowed him to adapt successful elements from that title for Star Wars Outlaws' unique needs.

Despite this admiration, Gerighty was clear that Star Wars Outlaws should offer a more focused experience. Instead of an overwhelming 150-hour odyssey, he aimed for a compelling, narrative-driven adventure that players could realistically complete. This choice was driven by a desire to keep the game accessible and engaging from beginning to end.

Building the Ultimate Outlaw Fantasy

For the Star Wars Outlaws team, the charismatic scoundrel archetype, embodied by Han Solo, became the central pillar of the game. Gerighty explained that the idea of living as a rogue in a galaxy brimming with wonder and opportunity guided every aspect of development.

Focusing on this outlaw fantasy enabled the team to craft an experience that is both expansive and deeply immersive. Players can engage in diverse activities: playing Sabacc in a cantina, racing a speeder across a planet, piloting a ship through space, and exploring distant worlds. The seamless flow between these moments is designed to make you feel like you're truly living a scoundrel's adventure in the Star Wars galaxy.