After years of silence, doubt, and even claims of outright cancellation, the oft-delayed remake of the beloved Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is still very much alive and kicking, according to the game’s current developer Saber Interactive.
In a rare update on the mysterious project’s status, Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch confirmed to IGN that the KOTOR remake remains actively in development at the studio. Despite persistent rumors and reports suggesting the game had been scrapped behind the scenes, Karch stated the high-profile revival is “alive and well.”
“It’s clear and it’s obvious that we’re working on this. It’s been in the press numerous times,” Karch told IGN. “What I will say is that the game is alive and well, and we’re dedicated to making sure we exceed consumer expectations.”
Karch’s reassurance marks one of the first substantial comments from official sources regarding the KOTOR remake since its bombshell announcement during the PlayStation Showcase in 2021. At the time, Sony unveiled a tantalizing teaser trailer hinting at a ground-up remake of the iconic 2003 RPG from BioWare and LucasArts. However, that reveal trailer was subsequently delisted across platforms in 2022 due to an expired music license.
In the nearly two years since, credible reports and insiders have painted a troubled picture surrounding the project’s development. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported in December 2022 that multiple sources had claimed the game was outright canceled after the remake was taken over by Saber Interactive, replacing original developers Aspyr Media.
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However, Schreier also shared that his own sources stated the game remained in active development at the time, though its ultimate release remained uncertain. This aligns with comments made by Disney’s games boss just months ago, who stated there “wasn’t a lot” they could share about the project for “hopefully obvious reasons” – implying it was still alive internally.
What exactly the current state of the KOTOR remake is remains unclear. The game has now been in some form of development for over 6 years after originally being revealed in 2021. Embracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors warned investors earlier this year that there was “still some time left” before the remake would be completed.
While Saber’s CEO has now overtly confirmed the project’s existence, the silence and lack of any substantial updates from all parties involved continue to raise doubts about if and when the long-awaited remake will actually manifest. Still, KOTOR fans buoyed by Karch’s latest comments can at least take solace that the dream of revisiting that beloved galaxy still flickers, however faintly, within the force.
