Leaked Screenshots Reveal Cancelled Star Wars: KOTOR Remake
▼ Summary
– The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake has faced rocky development, with its initial version by Aspyr cancelled after a 2021 reveal trailer and recent concept art.
– Saber Interactive is now handling the remake, but no news about their version is expected soon, while more material from Aspyr’s cancelled version has surfaced.
– Newly revealed assets from Aspyr’s version include props, weapons, and a playable prototype, with weapons designed for a modular upgrade system and props from an introductory level.
– A notable prototype image shows a third-person view in a test environment, featuring a Vibroblade weapon and debug menus for testing animations and companion functionality.
– These materials, likely from near the project’s 2022 cancellation, highlight Aspyr’s detailed and ambitious plans, leaving uncertainty about Saber Interactive’s approach and the remake’s eventual release.
The long-awaited Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake has faced a notoriously difficult development cycle, leaving fans with very little to see beyond a handful of early glimpses. Our first look arrived with a reveal trailer in 2021, followed more recently by a piece of concept art. Both of these previews, however, originated from the version handled by Aspyr, a version that was ultimately cancelled.
Development responsibilities have since shifted to Saber Interactive, though news about their take on the project remains scarce. On a more positive note, additional development materials from Aspyr’s cancelled iteration have surfaced, offering a fresh look at props, weapons, and even a very early playable prototype.
These new images were discovered within the online portfolio of a former artist who worked at Aspyr. The gallery primarily showcases various weapons and props that were in development for that version of the game. According to the artist’s notes, some of these assets were created for an introductory level. It was also revealed that the team was designing the weapons around a modular weapon system. This approach would have given players the ability to upgrade their blasters and other firearms by swapping out individual components, a feature clearly demonstrated in one image of a blaster rifle.
Beyond the props, the most significant image is a capture from a third-person prototype. It depicts a player character standing in a plain, textureless test environment while wielding a Vibroblade, a classic weapon from the original game. Two other images provide a more detailed look at this specific melee weapon. The top of the prototype screenshot displays a debug menu with several buttons, which were likely used by developers to test various animations and objects, including pistols and lightsabers.
Another intriguing detail can be spotted in one corner of the same screenshot. An option appears to be related to testing companion functionality, as indicated by two icons for Mission Vao, a beloved party member from the original Knights of the Old Republic.
While it’s impossible to determine the exact date this material was created, it potentially comes from a build made close to the project’s cancellation. The artist was employed at Aspyr until 2022, which is the same year a Bloomberg report indicated that development was put on hold indefinitely. This timing suggests these assets could represent some of the final work completed on Aspyr’s version of the remake.
Although these images don’t reveal major story or gameplay elements, they provide a clear window into the level of detail and ambition Aspyr had for the project. Now, the gaming community’s attention turns to Saber Interactive, waiting to see their new direction for the remake and, with any luck, its eventual successful launch.
(Source: MP1st)