The Game Awards 2025 delivered a monumental surprise with the reveal of “Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic.” While fans expected more news regarding the “Knights of the Old Republic” remake, they were instead introduced to this fresh project. At the helm is Casey Hudson, renowned for his direction of the original KOTOR and the Mass Effect trilogy. Hudson’s new venture, Arcanaut Studios, is spearheading this exciting development.
A New Chapter in the Star Wars Universe
Casey Hudson’s Arcanaut Studios, a recently established developer in Edmonton with an additional office in Kelowna, surprised fans with this announcement. Founded in July 2025, the studio aims to create a narrative-driven action RPG that serves as a spiritual successor to KOTOR, rather than a direct sequel. Initial excitement was tempered by the realization that the game might not see release until 2030, as speculated by Jason Schreier. However, Hudson later reassured fans, indicating a release before that year.
Development and Expectations
The game’s development timeline is a topic of much speculation. Given that triple-A titles typically require five years or more to develop, releasing by 2029 seems ambitious but feasible, especially if AI tools are leveraged. The project promises a tightly woven, story-focused experience, reminiscent of the original KOTOR’s structure. As Hudson shared, the game aims to offer a cinematic adventure rich in narrative depth and player agency, focusing on immersive world-building rather than expansive open worlds.
Upcoming Star Wars Games
Aside from “Fate of the Old Republic,” the Star Wars gaming landscape looks promising. The KOTOR remake continues its development at Mad Head Games, with hopes for a release before 2029. Quantic Dream’s “Star Wars: Eclipse” is also on the horizon. Additionally, Respawn Entertainment is working on the final chapter of the Star Wars: Jedi series, which could launch around 2027 or 2028. For next year, fans can look forward to “Galactic Racer,” an arcade racing game, and “Zero Company,” a turn-based tactics game set during the Clone Wars.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, led by Casey Hudson, aims for a release before 2030, promising a narrative-driven action RPG that pays homage to KOTOR.