The Star Wars Outlaws Team Talks Designing Adorable Companion Nix

The Star Wars Outlaws Team Talks Designing Adorable Companion Nix

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming experience under my belt, I have seen countless characters and pets that have graced our screens, but none quite like Nix from the upcoming Star Wars Outlaws. Having played through countless adventures, I can attest to the importance of a good companion in a game, especially one as unique and endearing as Nix.


From the moment the initial previews of the action-adventure game, “Star Wars Outlaws,” were unveiled, fans have been captivated by Nix, a charming salamander-like creature who acts as Kay Vess’ pet and ally. Nix is a fresh species, the merqaal, that appears exclusively in “Star Wars Outlaws” and was developed collaboratively between Massive Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games. When crafting Nix, the developers took various aspects into account, such as how his appearance aligns with the Star Wars universe, the dynamics of his interactions and bond with Kay, and his influence on gameplay mechanics.

During a chat with Game Rant, I, being a passionate fan of Star Wars Outlaws, learned an interesting tidbit from the director Mathias Karlson and lead concept artist Samuel De Vos. They shared that when developing the character Nix, they adopted a strategic approach, delving into how his interactions with Kay unveiled her traits, while also focusing on their collaboration in gameplay mechanics. As per Mathias Karlson, Star Wars Outlaws is designed to provide an immersive experience of “embodying two characters as one.” This means that Nix and Kay are not just essential narrative partners, but they work together seamlessly in combat, stealth, and social scenarios too.

Nix Is “The Chink In Kay’s Armor”

The Star Wars Outlaws Team Talks Designing Adorable Companion Nix

I recall when designing Kay’s character for “Star Wars Outlaws,” we were well aware of her challenging history. Our intention was to portray her as having a tender side from the get-go. Nix served as the means to reveal this aspect of Kay. She displayed kindness towards him, nurturing their bond despite her initial gruff exterior. De Vos agreed, adding that their relationship provided mutual emotional sustenance.

Nix’s connection to Kay, the main character in “Star Wars Outlaws,” influenced his appearance. He wanted to be someone who could soothe Kay and shield her during stressful moments. Therefore, he was designed with a pangolin-like back covered in scales for protection, an axolotl-like frilled face expressing emotions, and a hidden soft belly under his armor for comfort. De Vos is pleased with the final design of this creature.

“The unique blending of varied elements creates a sense of otherworldly, fantastical charm reminiscent of the universe in Star Wars for Nix.”

Additionally, De Vos confidently tells us that Nix’s scales are impervious to blasters, which means this charming character can handle the diverse threats they and Kay will encounter during their adventure with ease.

In Gameplay, Nix Encourages Players To Think Intuitively

The Star Wars Outlaws Team Talks Designing Adorable Companion Nix

In “Star Wars Outlaws,” Nix’s unique skills, including his agility, tiny stature, and invulnerable scales, offer a range of functions that Kay cannot perform, such as navigating air vents or retrieving items from high places. Nix is an invaluable character for players seeking stealthy gameplay, enabling them to advance without being detected and minimizing confrontations when feasible. Karlson believes that the option to choose among different actions for Nix fosters imaginative thinking and encourages players to explore innovative strategies they might have overlooked otherwise.

“Reaching the pinnacle in game design is when players naturally understand how things function. When they instinctively figure out what works or doesn’t without being told, then your design has been successful. That’s the goal behind expressions like ‘I can’t get to that, but Nix can.'”

As a long-time fan of the Star Wars universe and an avid gamer, I’m beyond excited to finally get my hands on “Star Wars Outlaws” when it launches on August 30. The prospect of experiencing Kay and Nix’s adventures together is truly a dream come true for me.

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2024-07-30 19:06