Developers of Star Wars: Galactic Racer are utilizing the crash-focused design of the Burnout series to shape their new arcade racing game.
This design choice marks a shift toward high-intensity, destructive gameplay within the Star Wars universe. By blending the pedigree of Burnout and Need for Speed, the developers aim to move beyond traditional racing to create a more aggressive experience.
Kieran Crimmins, the creative director at Fuse Games, and Craig Derrick, an executive producer at Lucasfilm Games, said the classic titles influenced the project. The team wanted to bring high-octane gameplay into a themed racer, focusing on the visceral nature of collisions and speed.
Beyond the physics of crashing, the game incorporates deep customization for its vehicles. Crimmins said, "The combinations are in the trillions" [2], referring to the variety of speeder specializations available to players.
The title incorporates roguelite elements alongside its arcade-style racing. This structure is intended to provide replayability while maintaining the fast pace associated with the Burnout influence.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is scheduled to release on Oct. 6, 2024 [1]. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S [1].
“"The combinations are in the trillions"”
The integration of Burnout's destructive mechanics into a Star Wars IP suggests a strategic move toward the 'arcade-sim' hybrid market. By combining roguelite progression with high-impact physics, Lucasfilm Games is targeting a demographic that values systemic depth as much as immediate, visceral action.
