The folks over at Game Informer sat down with Massive Entertainment’s Alice Rendell and Matthieu Delisle for an exclusive interview. Rendell is the senior narrative systems designer, and Delisle the lead systems designer.
What follows is a lengthy, fifteen minute discussion on Star Wars Outlaw’s Reputation and Wanted systems.
TL;DW?
The developers of Star Wars Outlaws have designed the game’s reputation system to influence the gameplay dynamics rather than altering the core storyline. In an interview with Game Informer, Alice Rendell, the senior narrative systems designer, emphasized that the main plot remains constant regardless of player actions. She explained, “Kay’s story is Kay’s story. The main events are set in stone.” The reputation system, which affects your relationships with the key factions you encounter, primarily modifies how the game is played around these events.
Rendell provided an example to clarify: “If you need to snag something from the Pikes and they’re not your biggest fans, expect them to complicate your mission. Conversely, if you’re in their good books, you might waltz into their domain and grab what you need without a hitch.”
This element of the game reflects the transient nature of alliances in the underworld, according to Rendell. Your standing with any group can fluctuate, impacting your interactions but not your friendships. “It’s about reputation, not relationships. These are fleeting alliances.”
These dynamic relationships will subtly but significantly affect your gameplay experience. Depending on your standing, navigating certain territories might be easier, costs from vendors may vary, and your choices at pivotal moments in the game could be swayed by your alliances.
While the reputation system adds a layer of depth, it doesn’t drastically alter the narrative of Star Wars Outlaws, which is largely linear. Set in the period between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the story doesn’t branch out extensively, which isn’t surprising given the tight narrative control typical of the Star Wars universe. Nonetheless, it’s intriguing to see how the character of Kay Vess and her companions will be developed, and it seems likely that Ubisoft will reveal more this summer.
