Breaking News: Disney Plus Unveils Ahsoka's Groundbreaking Impact on New Star Wars Games!

Highlights

Andor was successful because it presented morally complex characters uniquely, but Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka face higher expectations due to their popular characters.

Ahsoka's Disney Plus show offers a chance to introduce nonhuman protagonists into Star Wars games and potentially disrupt the pattern of predominantly human protagonists in recent titles. While Ahsoka's series represents progress in highlighting diversity, its influence on future Star Wars projects remains uncertain.

Star Wars has yet to produce another widely adored Disney Plus show since Andor captivated fans. The show's success can perhaps be attributed to its originality, presenting morally complex characters in a captivating political drama. However, shows like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka also have their own merits. The challenge with popular characters is that there are high expectations for their portrayal compared to previous appearances.

Ahsoka Tano, who gained immense popularity through The Clone Wars and Rebels animated series, is now set to have her own Disney Plus show later this month. Ahsoka has undoubtedly earned her own series, given her rich history deeply interwoven in the Star Wars universe across multiple generations. Additionally, her live-action debut presents a unique opportunity for nonhuman protagonists to take on leading roles in future Star Wars games.

Ahsoka is Now One of the Few Star Wars Projects Led by an Alien Protagonist

Star Wars has occasionally featured nonhumans in leading roles, but recently there has been a troubling tendency in Star Wars games to prioritize human protagonists. While Respawn's Star Wars Jedi franchise with Cal Kestis is excellent, it is disappointing to learn that a pitch for a black and/or female protagonist was rejected.

Considering the multitude of established races in the Star Wars universe, it remains unfortunate that human protagonists continue to dominate the franchise. In the case of Star Wars Outlaws, this trend persists with a human protagonist accompanied by a droid or another species. For example, Kay Vess is accompanied by both. However, it would have been equally interesting if ND-5 had been the leader of the Outlaws instead of Kay.

Ahsoka, a Togruta female, stands apart from humans in spite of their physical similarities. While Ahsoka is not a new character that Disney Plus is focusing on, her presence marks a significant departure from the franchise's conventional approach. Andor, for instance, received criticism for its emphasis on human characters while underrepresenting alien races.

Although Ahsoka's live-action series alone cannot determine the future spotlight on alien races in Star Wars, it is hopeful that it will shed light on the value of diversity. Consider the potential for alien races to be featured in customization options for players, such as an amnesiac Revan, should a remake of Knights of the Old Republic be released.

Star Wars games such as Survivor and Outlaws remain popular because fans can envision themselves as the main characters. However, it shouldn't exclusively rely on games with character customization to showcase the distinctive alien races that make Star Wars unique. One possibility is that Quantic Dream's Eclipse might introduce an alien protagonist. Additionally, Respawn's Star Wars FPS, currently in development, provides hope that the industry can go even further in pushing boundaries.