Humberly Gonzalez, the main actress who plays the character Kay Vess in the upcoming video game, "Star Wars Outlaws" is photographed at Ubisoft's Toronto offices on Wednesday Aug. 14, 2024
If things had gone according to plan, the upcoming video game "Star Wars Outlaws" might have had a distinctly Canadian flair.
Early in the development of the highly anticipated title, narrative director Navid Khavari proposed an unconventional scene idea that, despite his enthusiasm, didn’t make it into the final script. Khavari, who is based in Toronto, envisioned a moment where two smugglers would spend their time apologizing to each other, a concept that never left the brainstorming phase.
"Star Wars Outlaws," developed by Ubisoft, is set to be the first open-world game in the "Star Wars" franchise, taking place between the iconic movies "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." While Massive Entertainment, based in Sweden, spearheaded the game's development, significant contributions came from other Ubisoft studios. Khavari mentions that the motion capture work for the game was carried out in both Toronto and Montreal.
As the name suggests, "Outlaws" delves into the galaxy’s criminal underworld, an aspect of "Star Wars" that has rarely been explored in depth. Players will have the chance to explore a variety of planets, from the familiar Tatooine to newly introduced locations.
Nikki Foy, the lead writer on the project, described the experience of crafting a new narrative within the well-established "Star Wars" universe as a rewarding challenge. "Working on this project during this period felt like we had a cheat code, helping everyone align quickly," Foy explains. “We didn’t need to stress about the world-building or tone, as that was already well-defined.”
Khavari, who has also worked on "Far Cry 6" and other Ubisoft titles, was approached early on by Massive to join the "Star Wars" project. He notes, “Toronto has a wealth of writing talent, and the goal was to assemble a story team from here. Massive was open to the idea from the beginning.”
Breaking away from the typical "Star Wars" formula, the protagonist of "Outlaws" is not a Jedi wielding a lightsaber but a resourceful rogue armed with a blaster. Humberly Gonzalez lends her voice to Kay Vess, a charismatic and clever character navigating the galaxy’s challenges.
Gonzalez, originally from Venezuela and raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta, discovered her passion for acting while living in a smaller city, an experience she credits with shaping her craft. “Relocating to Canada was transformative for me,” she reflects. “Much like Kay, who left everything behind to chase her dreams in a new place full of opportunities, I had to seize my own chance and make the most of it.”
"Star Wars Outlaws" is set to launch on August 30 for Xbox Series S and X, PS5, and PC, promising an immersive new adventure in the beloved galaxy.
