By Emily Johnson | May 13, 2026
Although the project remains very much under development, with no confirmed release date, the comments have provided fans with an early look at the design philosophy behind one of the most eagerly watched Star Wars gaming projects in years.
Hudson Says Bigger Not Always Better
Hudson said bigger isn't better when it comes to game length, plain and simple. The overwhelming majority of players want to engage with a game and reach its end in a reasonable period of time rather than be swamped by an endless open world or an inflated run time, he said. Hudson also reassured fans that the game will have meaningful replay value, making a direct comparison to the Knights of the Old Republic series and the Mass Effect franchise. Fate of the Old Republic is said to have branching storylines that reward players for exploring different paths and making different choices on multiple playthroughs, like those games.
A Team of Industry Pros
Hudson's comments come just over a week after Arcanaut Studios pulled back the curtain on more of the development team working on the title. The project has a number of former Knights of the Old Republic team members including Dan Fessenden, Ryan Hoyle and Caroline Livingstone. The studio also hired art director Pascale Blanche, who has worked at both Warner Bros. and Ubisoft, and former BioWare staffer Melanie Faulknor.
Arcanaut Studios was founded in 2025, but Hudson wasted no time in assembling a team of established and admired names from across the gaming industry.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic was first announced to the public during The Game Awards 2025 and it sparked a lot of excitement among the fans of the original Knights of the Old Republic duology. But there are still many important details about the game that remain unknown, such as exactly where in the Star Wars universe it will be set. Hudson has confirmed the title won't come in 2026 but has said on the record that it will launch before 2030, giving fans a broad but reassuring window to look forward to.
No generative AI under development
One promise Hudson has made publicly is that generative artificial intelligence will not be involved in the development of Fate of the Old Republic. He even went so far as to describe the technology as creatively soulless, a pointed statement that is likely to strike a positive chord with players who have grown concerned about the uptick in use of AI tools in game development. The stance underscores the studio's seemingly earnest devotion to craft and creative authenticity, values that feel especially pertinent given the game's framing as a spiritual successor to one of the most beloved role-playing game series in history.
More Star Wars Games Coming Soon
The Fate of the Old Republic may be a way off yet, but Star Wars fans do have confirmed releases to look forward to in the near future. Star Wars Zero Company is launching in late 2026 and will be available to strategy game fans, while fans of racing games can look forward to Star Wars Galactic Racer from October 6 this year. These two titles will help maintain the Star Wars gaming momentum while the more ambitious Fate of the Old Republic continues its development journey.
High Expectations and a Legacy to Uphold
The original Knights of the Old Republic games are some of the best Star Wars games ever made, and Fate of the Old Republic carries that legacy into its development. Hudson is in charge, along with a few veterans from the original games, so the foundation appears to be solid. It remains to be seen whether the final product will live up to the sky-high expectations set by its predecessors, but early signs from the team suggest a thoughtful, measured approach to paying homage to what made those games so enduring.
