Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic - Exclusive Interview
Dec 12, 2025In Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, you step into the role of a Force user and journey through a galaxy on the brink of rebirth at the end of the Old Republic.
A brand new epic single-player role-playing game from Arcanaut Studios, developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, was announced on stage at the Game Awards this evening. Along with the first look at the exciting trailer, it was announced that Fate of the Old Republic will be developed by a new studio founded by Casey Hudson, director of the original Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the Mass Effect trilogy.
Combining an innovative story, memorable characters and breathtaking combat, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic takes you on an unforgettable adventure where every decision brings you closer to the light... or the dark.
In an exclusive first interview about the upcoming game, Hudson and Lucasfilm Games VP and General Manager Douglas Reilly sat down with StarWars.com to talk about KOTOR's storied history and what we can expect from the new collaboration.
“When we developed the original KOTOR, we wanted to create the ultimate Star Wars experience—an adventure that fulfilled all our dreams as Star Wars fans,” says Hudson. “Now, 25 years after we started working on this game, our ambitions remain just as high. Fate of the Old Republic offers the opportunity to explore a modern take on the ultimate Star Wars experience, using cutting-edge technology and game design, and an all-new story designed specifically to deliver the combination of player agency and immersion in the world of Star Wars that was at the center of KOTOR."
While Fate of the Old Republic is not a direct sequel or continuation, "it is created by the people who helped shape that legacy," Reilly adds.“In my twenty years of working on Star Wars games, including Star Wars: The Old Republic, I have been fortunate to see first-hand how much these stories mean to our fans. For us, this new project is a tribute to that legacy, creating something in the same tradition of deep, cinematic, choice-based role-playing games. Reuniting with Casey has been a tremendous honor, and we are putting all of our shared passion and experience into creating this next great chapter."
Creative clarity and shared vision
After directing the original and beloved game, Hudson was looking forward to returning to the galaxy with a new title in the tradition of KOTOR, released in 2003. "Star Wars has always been an integral part of my life, ever since I saw the first film in 1977 and throughout my career where it has been a constant source of inspiration," says Hudson. “It’s hard to describe how exciting it has been to work in the Star Wars galaxy and contribute to its incredible legacy. We had a lot of fun working on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and it was one of the defining moments of my career."
Hudson remained in contact with Lucasfilm for over 20 years, hoping for the opportunity to work together again. “But such a project is a huge responsibility for all participants, so we had to wait until all the necessary conditions met,” he notes.
Hudson co-founded Arcanaut Studios this year and the stars began to align. “Our goal is to develop the kind of games I love to create: emotionally powerful, cinematic adventures driven by player action, narrative depth, and immersion,” he says.“Talks between our team and Lucasfilm Games have led to an incredible opportunity to return to Star Wars, and we can once again find it hard to believe that we are working on such a special project.”
While still in the early stages of development and production, Fate of the Old Republic benefits from years of creative experience gained through a collaborative partnership. “I have always strived to lead very focused projects, with creative clarity and alignment within the team, and a well-organized production plan,” says Hudson. “Ultimately, this is what makes it possible to create a game that lives up to high expectations. But constantly achieving this goal on large and ambitious projects, with ever-increasing demands on volume and complexity, has become a lifelong journey of learning and improvement for me, as well as a personal obsession.”
As director, Hudson collaborates with his team, as well as Lucasfilm Games, to bring this clear vision to life. “Great ideas come from everyone on the team,” he says. “So my job is to gather and formulate a holistic vision to which the whole team contributes. Ensuring that everyone shares the vision and understands their role in creating it is critical to the success of the project.” And this newest chapter in the history of Star Wars games will touch on what Hudson considers to be "the fundamental pillars of the franchise, such as innovative storytelling, memorable characters, challenging gameplay and immersion in the Star Wars galaxy."
“Endless stories to tell”
Lucasfilm Games wanted to tell a new story in an era full of possibilities. “The Star Wars past is a huge open canvas that creators can explore without being guided by the narrative conventions of other media,” says Reilly.“Being set in the past gives us enormous space to tell new, original Star Wars stories while staying true to the spirit of the galaxy we all love.” There are literally endless stories that can be told. While we will always respect and appreciate the core saga, it is important to explore new territories, meet new characters and see new parts of the galaxy."
Riley was especially excited to collaborate with Hudson given his deep knowledge of both Star Wars storytelling and role-playing game creation. “We were very aware that our fans wanted to return to this gaming fantasy,” says Riley. “To create a new role-playing game that would justify this dedication, we had to be very careful. Casey's expertise in crafting deep, long-term stories and building immersive worlds based on choice is unparalleled, and we are fortunate to have the director of one of the most beloved Star Wars games of all time back in a galaxy far, far away."
“It really blows my mind that we were part of something that made such a lasting impression,” Hudson adds. “When we created KOTOR, we were simply focused on making the best game we could and had no idea that it would cause such a stir. To see the impact she had on players and how that connection has continued for over twenty years is both humbling and inspiring.”
Although the team hasn't revealed any details about the planned plot, Fate of the Old Republic will feature new characters and a completely new story. “We're still in the early stages of development and there are a lot of challenges ahead,” says Hudson. “I am grateful for the many years of support from KOTOR fans and look forward to beginning this journey and sharing more details about our work with you as soon as possible!”