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Star Wars Games Could Get More Interesting As Lucasfilm Looks Beyond The Big Studios
Lucasfilm Games is looking to partner with smaller, independent studios to create a wider variety of Star Wars titles beyond traditional AAA releases. VP Douglas Reilly stated that the strategy involves finding the best partners for specific experiences, not just major publishers, highlighting recent successes like Star Wars Zero Company and Star Wars Galactic Racer. This approach aims to explore diverse genres and fulfill various player fantasies within the Star Wars universe.
New ‘more flexible’ Star Wars games to be released after Galactic Racer success
Lucasfilm Games is adopting a more flexible approach to partnerships, seeking out smaller studios for unique Star Wars titles alongside major AAA releases. Recent successes like Galactic Racer and Zero Company have validated this strategy, encouraging the company to explore diverse genres and pitches from a wider range of developers.
How former Burnout devs came full circle for Star Wars: Galactic Racer to bring the edge back into racing games:…
Star Wars: Galactic Racer, developed by former Criterion Games developers at Fuse Games, successfully blends arcade racing with roguelike elements to bring back edge and consequence to the genre. The game draws inspiration from Burnout and The Phantom Menace's podracing sequence, offering a challenging yet accessible experience that prioritizes survival and learning from crashes.
25 years after Burnout, Star Wars: Galactic Racer studio lead says "we are asking way more out of players" than "we've ever done" because modern players are built different
Matt Webster, studio lead at Fuse Games, discusses the intricate design of Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a new roguelite racer developed by former Criterion Games members. He believes modern players can handle a greater cognitive load, allowing the game to feature complex mechanics like multiple boosts and simultaneous ability usage while maintaining high speeds.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer Review – Now THIS is Podracing
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a thrilling and addictive arcade racer that successfully captures the spirit of Star Wars podracing, drawing comparisons to the Burnout franchise. The game features tight controls, an incredible sense of speed, and a well-implemented roguelite campaign structure that enhances replayability. While it could benefit from more variety in race types and cosmetic customization, its excellent track design, satisfying gameplay mechanics, and impressive visuals and audio make it a must-play for fans of arcade racers and the Star Wars universe.
MMO Burnout: Star Wars Galactic Racer merges roguelite, racer, and multiplayer thrills somehow
Star Wars: Galactic Racer, developed by Fuse Games, surprisingly blends roguelike elements and multiplayer thrills into a fantastic racing experience reminiscent of the Burnout series. Despite initial skepticism, the game delivers tight controls, stunning visuals, and engaging progression, defying expectations with its innovative gameplay loop and enjoyable narrative.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer review - sci-fi royalty gets the Burnout treatment, and the result is absolute racing paradise
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a delightful racing game that successfully blends the thrilling physics of Criterion's Burnout series with a Star Wars aesthetic. Developed by Fuse Games, which has strong ties to Criterion's DNA, the game features a fun roguelite campaign with branching paths and strategic upgrades, alongside satisfying racing mechanics reminiscent of Burnout 3 and Burnout Paradise. The game's unique dual-boost system and emphasis on vehicular technology create a compelling and challenging experience.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer review: "True to its Burnout legacy, blisteringly fast space racing keeps me coming back to the grid"
Star Wars: Galactic Racer offers exhilarating, high-speed arcade racing with a compelling run-based, roguelike format that sets a new standard for the genre. Developed by former Criterion Games staff, the game features a well-realized Star Wars setting and characters, though the campaign ends abruptly and the planet roster is disappointingly small. Despite minor flaws, its slick gameplay and risk/reward mechanics make it a standout title.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer review
Star Wars: Galactic Racer offers an arcade racing experience with a run-based structure that proves more engaging than Burnout Paradise's open world. Developed by Fuse Games, a studio founded by ex-Criterion developers, the game features a Star Wars theme with unique characters and planets. While it captures a sense of speed and incorporates interesting mechanics like boost management and build customization, the game suffers from occasional track readability issues and flawed autopilot functionality.
Jobs roundup: October | Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott voted chair of UKIE
Several key appointments have been made across the UK games industry. Harvey Elliott, CEO of Playstack, has been voted chair of UKIE, succeeding Maria Sayans. Murray Pannell joins Steel City Interactive as head of publishing, while Dean Anderson leads MV&P's APAC partnerships. Catherine Bygrave is the new head of commercial at Code Wizards Group, and Michał Platkow-Gilewski has been promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red.
Jobs roundup: October | Code Wizards Group appoints Catherine Bygrave as head of commercial
Several key figures have moved into new roles within the games industry. Michał Platkow-Gilewski was promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red, while Catherine Bygrave was appointed head of commercial at Code Wizards Group. Other notable appointments include Daniel Smith as executive producer at Playground Games, Gero Micciché as lead producer at 2K and Hangar 13 Games, and Tymon Smektala as executive producer at Bloober Team's Broken Mirror Games.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer Drops Closer Look At Podracers and a Familiar Face From the Films
Star Wars: Galactic Racer, developed by the minds behind Burnout, will allow players to pilot iconic vehicles from the franchise. A closer look reveals details on Podracers, including the use of Air Brake and Afterburner mechanics, and mentions the return of the character Sebulba. The game is set to release on October 6th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Xbox's consolidation plans might mean you get a new Halo sooner, but history shows production line development makes for boring games
Xbox's strategy of consolidating studios and pushing for more frequent releases, exemplified by the Activision Blizzard acquisition and changes to the Halo team, risks creating a future of formulaic and uninspired games. The author argues that while such consolidation might seem efficient, history shows that annual releases and a focus on existing franchises often stifle creativity and lead to a homogenization of game design, potentially resulting in a less exciting gaming landscape.
"I really want Criterion to be considered the best studio in the UK" – why the home of Burnout has a future with Battlefield
Criterion Games, known for the Burnout series and Need for Speed Unbound, is now fully focused on the Battlefield franchise, contributing significantly to Battlefield 6. Studio leadership emphasizes that the core principles of controlled chaos and spectacle that defined their racing games are still present in their current work on Battlefield. The studio has grown and is aiming to be considered the best in the UK.
Small Axe Studios is a New AAA Team Under 2K Working on a New Sports Franchise
2K Games has established a new AAA development studio in Vancouver called Small Axe Studios, led by industry veterans including Aaron McHardy and Gary Paterson. The studio is focused on creating a new sports franchise, though the specific sport has not yet been revealed. Several key leadership and development roles have been filled by individuals with extensive experience in sports game development at companies like Electronic Arts.
EA Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful
Electronic Arts has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a $55 billion leveraged buyout, making it the largest LBO in history. The deal has raised concerns about potential layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to the significant debt involved. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his position, but the company's future financial operations will be less transparent as it moves from public to private ownership.
EA boss got £29,000,000 bonus for Battlefield 6 while the devs were laid off
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received a bonus of nearly $39 million for the 2026 financial year, despite the company laying off employees from studios working on Battlefield 6. This bonus is an increase from the previous year and does not include his base salary. Other executives also received significant bonuses, while games like Battlefield 6, EA Sports FC, and Apex Legends were highlighted for their success, alongside a generative AI strategy.
Wreckreation 2 Brings Back Classic Series
When Tides Turn has announced Wreckreation 2, a sequel to the arcade racing game, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Led by Fiona Sperry, formerly of Criterion Games, the sequel will focus on chaotic arcade gameplay with close-quarter racing and crashes across various city settings. While a release date is not yet announced, a playtest is expected soon.
2025 PlayStation 5 Open World Game Getting Unexpected Sequel
Wreckreation 2, a sequel to the 2025 open-world racing game Wreckreation, has been announced for PlayStation 5. The new title is being developed by When Tides Turn, a studio founded by Criterion Games co-founder Fiona Sperry, and aims to incorporate player feedback into its design. The original game was developed by Three Fields Entertainment and published by THQ Nordic.
Developer of Burnout spiritual successor Wreckreation has formed a new studio working on a sequel
Three Fields Entertainment, the developer behind the arcade racer Wreckreation, has announced a sequel to the game and formed a new studio called When Tides Turn. Studio head Fiona Sperry stated that Wreckreation 2 is being developed with player feedback, focusing on handling, progression, and world design. The new studio will serve as the dedicated home for the Wreckreation franchise.
