Electronic Arts (EA) Vancouver (Canada) was working on an open-world Star Was game. On January 16th, though, the studio cancelled the game in favour of a smaller title that will launch sooner.
The news started as a rumour from infotainment-portal Kotaku. However, EA has already issued a statement in which the company doesn’t deny the reports.
EA’s full statement says:
There’s been speculation overnight about one of our Star Wars projects. As a natural part of the creative process, the great work by our team in Vancouver continues and will evolve into future Star Wars content and games. We’re fully committed to making more Star Wars games, we’re very excited about Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order from Respawn, and we’ll share more about our new projects when the time is right.
Additionally, Kotaku reported the game was in early development, so no one lost their jobs as a result.
What was promised to us: an open-world Star Wars game
EA Vancouver was working on a “reboot” of a Star Wars Project Visceral Games initiated until EA closed the studio back in 2017.
The gaming company continued using the assets from the former developers. Eventually, the adventure Star Wars game turned into an open-world experience.
Former EA exec Patrick Soderlund confirmed the original title as a “story-based, linear adventure game.” Responding to player feedback and current trends, EA decided to improve the design into something players could enjoy for a long time. Further rumours point the game was going to be an online multiplayer of sorts.
It’s a shame when we consider the Star Wars title Visceral had in mind was headed by Uncharted veteran head designer and writer, Amy Henning. Henning even said the game was going to be similar to Uncharted, while also being its own thing.
Just like Uncharted’s Nathan Drake, the promised game followed the path of a Bounty Hunte searching fame and fortune in a far away galaxy, a long time ago.
It’s a shame. Star Wars open-world game was supposed to be the chosen one. Nevertheless, EA is working on another game that’ll bring balance to the Force: Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order.
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order
Titanfall studio, Respawn Entertainment, is working on this third-person Star Wars action game.
Fallen Jedi tells an original Star Wars story revolving around a young Padawan (a Jedi apprentice). The plot sets shortly after what happened on Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
If you need a reminder, the treacherous Senator Palpatine executed Order 66 during Revenge of the Sith. All Jedis except for a couple of renegades (which included Obi-wan Kenobi and Joda) were killed. Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker executed the remaining Padawans training in Republic City.
The game will release during Christmas 2019 for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
The Fallen Jedi is part of a 10-year contract between EA and Disney. The licensing contract expires in 2023, so EA has a few years more to keep pumping Star Wars games.
