Lost job developer alone makes dream game inspired by Star Wars 1313

Mar 08, 2026

Solo developer Ethan McKinnon has unveiled Riftwalker, a sci-fi bounty hunter action RPG inspired by the never-released Star Wars 1313. The game is now available for download to the wishlist on Steam and in just over a month gained over 8,000 wishlists.

As the developer said on social networks, development began after he lost his job.

I'm a solo developer creating Riftwalker after being laid off. This path is my chance to move forward, and I am grateful to the community.

The canceled Star Wars 1313 was his main motivation - a dark, story-driven sci-fi bounty hunting game that the industry never got.

Riftwalker offers a story-driven experience where each contract draws you deeper into the void. The player will have to hunt down fugitives across seven worlds and gain abilities at the cost of their own humanity. The combat system is skill-based - sliding, dodging, parrying and striking, with switching between ranged and melee combat, as well as the use of drones and void powers.

The customization system is based on four basic characteristics - Body, Reflex, Mind and Soul. It is complemented by a tree of passive skills, modular cybernetics and permanent augmentations that leave scars on the character’s body and destroy his soul.

Game worlds promise dynamic weather, day and night cycles, changing visibility and evolving AI behavior. You can move freely between planets, exploring settlements, fortifications, hidden routes and ancient ruins.And the central hub is Vartosa - a node in the network of bounty hunters, where you can improve equipment, trade and take on high-risk contracts.

Among the available tools are hacking, drones and a reputation system. The player can disable alarms and turrets, track down and capture targets, and each mission accepted and choice made shapes the character's story.

The release date has not yet been announced and the game as a whole is at a fairly early stage of development. It's obvious that a fairly standard visual style is being used - something distinctive is clearly missing.