Unleashing the Force: Respawn's Epic Star Wars FPS Dilemma
Respawn's Star Wars FPS faces a daunting challenge as it enters a market saturated with iconic character archetypes With limited appeal for traditional Star Wars protagonists, the game must find innovative ways to captivate audiences and carve its own path to success
In popular Star Wars media, there are two prevailing protagonist archetypes that stand out: the lightsaber-wielding Jedi and the blaster-wielding scoundrel. These archetypes depict characters who either struggle internally to choose between the light and dark side of the Force or are disconnected from the Force and content with stealing and smuggling. With both of these angles already explored in games, Respawn's Star Wars FPS might face challenges in finding its own distinct protagonist archetype. Recently, Star Wars Outlaws unveiled its lead character, fitting into the scoundrel archetype with the familiar traits of deception and street smarts seen in characters like Lando Calrissian, Jyn Erso, and Cad Bane. On the other hand, Respawn's Star Wars Jedi franchise has already established itself as the go-to choice for a Jedi protagonist. Although no details have been shared about Respawn's Star Wars FPS, it may find itself in the difficult position of needing to create a unique archetype for its main character.
Star Wars’ Popular Character Archetypes Have Already Been Tapped
Respawn faces the challenge of creating a unique protagonist amidst the current influx of Star Wars stories, including their own Star Wars Jedi franchise and Star Wars Outlaws. With their new Star Wars IP being an FPS game, it is expected to feature a protagonist armed with a blaster instead of a lightsaber. However, even this archetype is becoming oversaturated in the Star Wars universe.
Andor played a vital role in rejuvenating the Star Wars franchise by offering originality and maintaining quality control. Its portrayal of an ordinary smuggler protagonist armed with a blaster pistol may set a precedent for future Star Wars stories. While the development of Ubisoft's open-world Star Wars game may not have been directly influenced by Andor, Star Wars Outlaws has already embraced the popular cunning scoundrel archetype.
In order to stand out in a franchise that often relies on familiar characters and themes, Respawn's Star Wars FPS will need to carefully consider the type of protagonist it features. While the game aims to offer a scoundrel experience reminiscent of Han Solo or a desperate mercenary, opting for a blaster-wielding protagonist may require a different approach to maintain authenticity. However, this leaves little room for the game to explore other exciting protagonist options.
Respawn is currently developing a Star Wars first-person shooter game.
