Star Wars Outlaws Cantonica is Focused on Contrast

Star Wars Outlaws Cantonica is Focused on Contrast

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for Star Wars lore, I can hardly contain my excitement for Star Wars Outlaws and its take on the iconic planet of Cantonica. Having grown up watching the original trilogy and devouring every piece of extended universe content, I’ve developed quite an attachment to this galaxy far, far away.


The game titled “Star Wars Outlaws” carries a significant responsibility, being the first open-world adventure in the “Star Wars” universe. Unlike the “Star Wars Jedi” series by Respawn, which is loosely connected to the canon and primarily takes place between “Revenge of the Sith” and “A New Hope”, “Star Wars Outlaws” unfolds shortly after “The Empire Strikes Back”. This means it must deal with all the intricate world-building and established lore that was present in the galaxy at that time. In particular, Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft would have had to handle the portrayal of planets in “Outlaws” carefully, given the extensive universe they were working with.

Tatooine, a planet well-known in the Star Wars universe, is often revisited, making it possible for viewers to have some prior knowledge of its appearance and potential dangers or advantages under Imperial rule. On the other hand, Cantonica presents a new challenge altogether, and as per Benedikt Podlesnigg, Massive art & world director, don’t expect excessive glamour from The Last Jedi’s iconic desert planet.

Star Wars Outlaws’ Cantonica Looks to Show the Disparity Between Canto Bight’s Lower- and Higher-Classes

In the movie “The Last Jedi,” Cantonica gained popularity by showcasing vibrant, high-class nightlife in Canto Bight, particularly its casinos. This coastal city is also known for its debated fathier stables and racetracks, which created a controversial storyline in “The Last Jedi.” However, it was recently discovered during a hands-on preview of the game “Outlaws” that Kay Vess can place bets on fathier races.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice that “The Last Jedi” subtly hinted at the existence of less opulent areas within Canto Bight beyond the glittering wealth we usually see. It appears that the upcoming game, “Outlaws,” is intentionally showcasing both the vibrant nightlife (which I can’t wait to immerse myself in with my fellow players and Kay) as well as the overlooked, struggling parts of the city.

“To envision Cantonica prior to its appearance in the film, we contemplated its state 30 years ago. Envision a place that’s not yet fully developed, characterized by a large workers’ district juxtaposed against opulent casinos. This allowed us an opportunity to effectively depict a stark contrast between these two locations.”

Instead of merely serving as an ornate backdrop with mini-games, horse races, and Sabacc games galore, Cantonica in Outlaws should offer a more engaging and expansive experience that further develops the threads left unresolved by The Last Jedi’s brief portrayal of the planet. The degree to which players can delve into Canto Bight could significantly enrich the overall storyline, particularly since Kay’s background is linked to it.

Star Wars Outlaws’ Cantonica is a Narrative Inspiration as Much as It’s an Iconic Planet

It’s worth noting that Kay grew up in Canto Bight, more precisely in The Worker’s District, which is distinct from the glamour and casinos. As Navid Khavari, the Narrative Director, points out.

It’s clear that the world of Canto Bight and greater Cantonica play a significant role in shaping Kay’s character, making it intriguing to observe how this planet and its street-dwellers are presented against the backdrop shown in The Last Jedi. Other planets like Tatooine or Kijimi will undoubtedly have their distinctive traits too, but Cantonica has a unique identity that Massive Entertainment can now expand upon more profoundly.

Read More

2024-08-25 15:35