Massive Entertainment’s highly anticipated game, Star Wars Outlaws, is set to launch next month, and the marketing campaign is in full swing. Recently, IGN’s IGN First series featured an in-depth interview with the game’s lead developers, shedding light on the creative processes behind the visual designs and operational styles of the galaxy’s criminal factions.
Returning and New Criminal Factions
Star Wars Outlaws will feature a mix of familiar and new criminal organizations. Iconic factions like the Hutt Cartel, Pyke Syndicate, and Crimson Dawn will make their appearances, alongside the newly introduced Zerek Besh and the brand-new Ashiga Clan.
The Hutt Cartel
Narrative Director Navid Khavari highlighted the infamous Hutt Cartel, known for its raw power and dominance.
“The idea with the Hutts is really what you see is what you get. They aren’t afraid to use force, they take what they want, and they’re just incredibly powerful,” Khavari explained.
Associate Art Director Marthe Jonkers elaborated on the visual inspiration drawn from classic Star Wars media:
“Jabba the Hutt is a very famous character in the Star Wars galaxy, and so the Hutt Syndicate is definitely inspired by what you’ve seen before. You will see enforcers and characters from the movies, like Gamorrean guards. Their look is definitely Tatooine-inspired, with the most dirt and wear and tear on their clothing among the syndicates.”
The Pyke Syndicate
Known from various Star Wars media, the Pyke Syndicate will showcase a new aesthetic in Outlaws.
“They have a very distinctive look,” Jonkers said. “We went in a different direction with color palettes, using more dark blues and incorporating graphic designs on their helmets and clothing to signify ranks and groups.”
Khavari added that the Pykes will be based on the newly created world of Toshara, under the leadership of underboss Gorak.
“The Pyke Syndicate is incredibly wealthy and powerful in this time period. They’ve struck a deal with the Empire, allowing them to operate with relative freedom.”
Crimson Dawn
Crimson Dawn, led by the enigmatic Qi’ra, will also play a significant role in Outlaws. Khavari hinted at their deeper ambitions, rooted in the wider Star Wars lore.
“Crimson Dawn is up to something very interesting, especially involving Lady Qi’ra,” Khavari noted.
Jonkers described their distinct appearance:
“They’re more fashionable compared to the other syndicates. Their clothing is practical but very clean, reflecting access to better materials and a unique style.”
The Ashiga Clan
A new faction based on the planet Kijimi, the Ashiga Clan, features the Melitto species, known for their lack of eyesight.
“They use different senses, which influenced their tactile-based designs,” Jonkers explained. “Their style is heavily influenced by Kijimi City, with samurai-inspired elements visible in their silhouettes and clothing.”
Unlike other syndicates, the Ashiga Clan remains closely tied to Kijimi, focusing their operations there.
“The Ashiga clan is really trying to keep control over Kijimi, deriving their power from the city itself,” Jonkers added.
The Zerek Besh
Rounding out the factions is the Zerek Besh, a relatively new group in the Star Wars universe and the main antagonists of Outlaws.
“They’re incredibly wealthy and more of a new player among the galaxy’s syndicates,” Khavari explained. “Their leader, Sliro, wants the main character, Kay Vess, dead, setting the game’s plot in motion.”
Gameplay Dynamics and Faction Interactions
The game’s reputation system allows players to form varying relationships with these criminal factions, but trust should be limited.
“You’re not friends, you’re not employed, you’re not pledging allegiance,” said Game Director Mathias Karlson. “You are someone surviving and trying to grow a name and reputation in this world. Think of them as a means to an end.”
With Star Wars Outlaws set to release soon, players will soon have the chance to navigate the treacherous underworld of the Star Wars galaxy, forging alliances and rivalries with its most notorious criminal factions.