Embracer suggests Star Wars: KotOR remake isn’t coming out for over a year
It says a triple-A game based on a major license “needs some deep love and respect”
The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake is reportedly still in development at Saber Interactive, but it doesn’t sound like it will be released in the next 12 months.
On Thursday, Embracer Group announced plans to sell off a large part of Saber, the group which is home to multiple studios and projects, in a deal that could be worth up to $500 million.
While Embracer will retain Aspyr Media, the studio originally enlisted to make the Knights of the Old Republic (KotOR) remake, the game is “going with Saber”, according to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, who previously reported that the company had taken over development.
Nevertheless, when the deal closes and Embracer and Saber part ways, KotOR is expected to be a jointly held asset between the companies.
In today’s announcement of the deal, Embracer said its retained assets, “including two joint projects with the buyer”, include “a previously announced AAA game based on a major license.”
Yes that’s going with Saber
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) March 14, 2024
Must be – it’s the only game that fits. Not sure what kind of deal they struck there
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) March 14, 2024
In a conference call discussing the deal, Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors was quizzed about the jointly held AAA project on a couple of occasions.
One analyst asked if it was expected to come out in the next 12 months or whether it was a more distant release.
“No, I think that kind of game needs some deep love and respect, so without giving full colour, I think it’s some time left until that is released,” Wingefors said.
The next questioner said they thought it’s fair to say that the AAA game in question is the KoTOR remake. “Is that the case and who will be in charge of it because I think it was transferred to Saber?” they asked.
Wingefors responded by saying he had no further comments on the licenced game.
Billed as a collaboration between Aspyr and production partners Lucasfilm Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment, the game was announced as a timed PS5 console exclusive during a PlayStation Showcase event in September 2021.
Further reading
Embracer confirms $247m sale of Saber assets and withdraws from Russia
But the remake has reportedly been beset by problems over the last couple of years. Bloomberg claimed last summer that Aspyr had stopped working on the game and that the future of the title was up in the air.
Embracer had earlier confirmed that Saber Interactive was also working on the game, and some of Bloomberg’s sources said they believed it was possible Saber had taken over development of the project entirely.
