Development of Star Wars KOTOR Remake may have been moved to a new studio, based on a statement from Embracer Group.
The remake for Star Wars KOTOR has been in development at Aspyr. However, in its interim Q1 Fiscal Year report, Embracer Group has revealed that one of its AAA projects has transitioned to another studio within the Group.
According to the publisher, this was done to ensure the quality bar is where it needed to be for the title. Embracer Group is not expecting any material delays for the game based on this transition. If we were to make an informed guess, it’s possible that the studio that is now at the helm of the project is none other than Saber Interactive.
Embracer Group has a global presence through its eleven operative groups: THQ Nordic, Plaion, Coffee Stain, Amplifier Game Invest, Saber Interactive, DECA Games, Gearbox Entertainment, Easybrain, Asmodee, Dark Horse and Embracer Freemode. Of all these studios, Saber Interactive stands out as one that has plenty of experience working with remakes. As a result, it would be a good fit for the task of developing the remake of Star Wars KOTOR.
Previously, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier had reported that the Star Wars KOTOR remake was indefinitely delayed due to the abrupt firing of two directors by developer Asypr. According to Schreier, the staff shakeup took place in July, and other members of the development team had been told that the project was being placed on hold.
Based on Schreier’s sources, Aspyr completed a vertical slice, or game demo, on June 30 to present to Sony and Lucasfilm, the game’s production partners. According to a person familiar with the project, the developers were shocked by what transpired because they felt that things were going smooth. The studio released design director Brad Prince and art director Jason Minor the following week. It is said that Minor suggested on a social networking post that his dismissal came as a surprise.
Schreier’s further stated that an excess amount of time and money was spent on the demo, and that the project unsustainable at this rate. Additionally, according to two sources familiar with the production, Aspyr had informed its staff and partners at the beginning of development that the game would be released by the end of 2022. A more achievable goal now, according to developers, is 2025. This miscalculated timeline may also have contributed to the departure of both directors.
