Mashing togetherUnchartedwithStar Wars, in concept, sounds like a no-brainer mashup for an excellent video game. When LucasArts was still around, many of the more ambitiousStar Warsvideo game adaptations focused on unique gameplay and niche aspects of the Lucasfilm universe; ranging fromThe Old RepublictoRepublic Commando. While several of the more experimental projects did eventually see the light of day, other LucasArts games never quite saw the limelight before the studio was shutdown by Disney in 2013. One of these unceremoniously canceled titles wasStar Wars: 1313, an action adventure title mean to be a gritty take on theStar Warsethos.
Once Disney ceased all development projects with LucasArts closure almost a decade ago,Star Wars 1313was left in a long dormancy before the game was essentially canceled, after years of no news. A spokesperson with Disney had mentioned that an outsourced licensing deal could’ve revived the game, but evidently that never came to fruition. That being said, in the years since the LucasArts studio’s closure, tidbits of gameplay demos and trailers ofStar Wars 1313have come out, showcasing what could’ve been for the Boba Fett-centeredStar Warsgame. It’s fascinating to look back on a game with such potential that never saw release.
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Star Wars 1313: A Fate Undeserved
There are plenty of canceled games out there, many of which are equally lamented for there cancellation, butStar Wars 1313is a special case. Gameplay ofStar Wars 1313always seems to find a way of resurfacing, reminding players of what could’ve been. First revealed at E3 2012,Star Wars 1313was meant to be an action adventure game akin toUnchartedin theStar Warsuniverse; which was particularly exciting considering how popular theUnchartedgames had been in the year prior. Even as early as last week,new footage ofStar Wars 1313resurfacedof an unfinished vertical slice of the game online, showing off new Boba Fett gameplay for the first time.
Unfortunately, the game was canceled with the closure of LucasArts in 2013, which resulted in around 150 employees being laid off from the studio. While Disney had mentioned in an interview with Game Informer that the IP could be revived and licensed to a new studio if interest was expressed, that never happened forStar Wars 1313. Since members of the original development team moved on to their own separate ways, the game was “effectively dead” according to Kotaku’s report on the news. The onlyevidence ofStar Wars 1313’s existence has been old footageof demos and trailers uploaded online by anonymous sources, but nothing beyond that.
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It’s Surprising A Game Like Star Wars 1313 Doesn’t Exist
While the game’s development was likely fractured with the closure of LucasArts anyway, it is a little surprising thatStar Wars1313was seemingly never revived, in one way or another. Whether the game resurfaced asStar Wars 1313, or under a different name or separate project, the concept of an action/adventureStar Warsgame with similarHollywood-esque set piece design toUnchartedseems like a no-brainer idea. Obviously with the legacy of the films,Star Warslends itself well to that kind of game. Plus, the gameplay previews and trailers ofStar Wars 1313almost served as a proof-of-concept for this idea, which still remains true to this day.
Comparable games likeStar Wars Jedi: Fallen OrderorThe Force Unleashedcould also emphasize goodStar Warsset design in video games can go a long way as well. Examples likethe Vader fight inThe Force Unleashed, or the train sequence at the beginning ofStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, also prove that there’s room to iterate on aStar Warsgame with the same pomp and circumstance as theStar Warsfilms. Despite focusing on the well-trodden Jedi aspects of theStar Warsuniverse, these games still emphasize thatStar Warsgames still have plenty of room to grow in the action/adventure genre, and a game likeStar Wars 1313hasn’t released in years.
Of course, consideringStar Wars 1313was planned to be centered on bounty huntersin the slums of Coruscant, plenty of inspiration could be drawn from the Disney+Star Warsshows.The MandalorianandBook of Boba Fetthave had their fair share of impressive set pieces and moments as well, all of which could be adapted into video game format as well. Even Respawn Entertainment’s upcomingStar WarsFPS could focus on action set pieces and iconic action sequences that would’ve fit well inStar Wars 1313, or at least scratch a similar itch.
Perhaps one day, with EA’sStar Warsexclusivity ended, a game likeStar Wars 1313could capture that same magic.
Star Wars 1313was canceled upon LucasArts' closure in 2013.
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