Star Wars began this week by announcing it will produce all its future video games under the new Lucasfilm Games banner. The following day, we learned that the company is working with Bethesda and MachinesGames on a playable Indiana Jones adventure. And Lucasfilm Games isn’t easing up on the hyperdrive just yet. For the third straight day, they’ve made a big announcement. The company has teamed up with Ubisoft for a “story-driven, open-world experience” set in the galaxy far, far away. The type of game fans have long wanted from the franchise.
Ubisoft studio’s Massive Entertainment will develop an all new entry with Lucasfilm Games. The Swedish developer is behind the Ground Control franchise. It’s also responsible for two Tom Clancy’s The Division installments. In their statement, Ubisoft says Massive Entertainment’s “expertise and talent will be used to create a story-driven, open-world experience within the Star Wars galaxy.” That will include utilizing the studio’s “cutting-edge technology and advancements,” like their Snowdrop engine.
“The vast Star Wars lore is an incredible source of inspiration for our teams,” said Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft’s co-founder and CEO. “This is the beginning of a long-term collaboration with Disney and Lucasfilm Games, and we are pleased to be working hand-in-hand to build upon the incredible legacy of Lucasfilm to create a game that we know Star Wars fans will love.”
At the very least it will be a game Star Wars fans want.
In their own release, Star Wars says an open-world game is something gamers and fans have long hoped. (And almost got before.) That might be why this project has been in the works for awhile. “We’ve got a lot of stuff we’re ready to start sharing with fans,” said Lucasfilm Games VP Douglas Reilly. “Because we’ve been working quietly behind the scenes for a while now, waiting for this moment.” A while has been the past year. Which could mean the game is closer to becoming a reality than it otherwise might be.
And with the speed Lucasfilm Games is releasing news this week, we wouldn’t rule out a Saturday release date.
