The highly anticipated remake of “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” (KOTOR) remains a topic of speculation and uncertainty. Despite a lack of communication from Embracer Group, reports suggest that Saber Interactive, known for their recent work on “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2,” is continuing the project in some capacity. This comes after significant challenges faced by the original developer, Aspyr.
Initially announced in 2021 as a PlayStation-published game, the KOTOR remake reignited excitement among fans of the beloved RPG. However, the journey since then has been fraught with setbacks.
After three years of development by Aspyr, the project was paused indefinitely due to dissatisfaction with the progress, notably after a demo failed to impress Lucasfilm and Sony. This pause saw the departure of key figures like art director Brad Prince and design director Jason Minor.
Uncertainty Over Release and Direction
Can't say whether the KOTOR Remake will ever actually *come out*, but yes, two people from Saber Interactive tell me they're still on it, despite recent rumors that nobody is working on the game. (Saber took the project from Aspyr last year, as Bloomberg reported then) https://t.co/prNTT6iVAy
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) November 22, 2023
The future of the KOTOR remake is shrouded in ambiguity, with questions about its eventual release and the form it might take. While originally intended as a PC and PlayStation 5 exclusive, with a complete overhaul from the ground up, the path forward is unclear.
The original game, developed by BioWare, is a cherished part of Star Wars gaming history and the western RPG genre, adding to the pressure for a successful remake.
Embracer Group’s Silence and Restructuring
Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors has remained notably reticent on the project, avoiding commentary in recent financial presentations. This silence persists despite multiple inquiries from media outlets like IGN.
Additionally, Embracer is currently undergoing significant restructuring, involving the closure of studios like Volition and the potential sale of Gearbox. This restructuring has resulted in over 900 job losses, casting a shadow over the future of their projects, including the KOTOR remake.
Recent concerns escalated when trailers and promotional material for the KOTOR remake were removed from Sony’s channels. Sony responded by attributing the removal to music licensing issues, but this has done little to assuage fan anxieties.
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