- Star Wars Galactic Racer developer: Developed by Fuse Games, a studio founded in 2023 by former Criterion Games veterans.
- Industry pedigree: The leadership team boasts extensive experience working on major racing franchises like Need for Speed and Burnout.
- Lucasfilm partnership: The project is being developed in close creative collaboration with Lucasfilm Games.
- Release timeline: The game is scheduled for release on October 6, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
- Gameplay style: Described as a racing adventure combining high-speed track racing with off-track exploration and vehicle customization.
Meet the Star Wars Galactic Racer Developer
The gaming landscape is preparing for a major return to the tracks of a galaxy far, far away. Behind this ambitious project is the official Star Wars Galactic Racer developer, Fuse Games. Established in 2023, Fuse Games is a relatively new studio based in Guildford, United Kingdom, a historic hub for British game development. Despite the studio's recent formation, the talent driving the project represents decades of industry experience.
The development team consists of approximately 75 core developers at Fuse Games, with around 150 total people involved in the project across various creative partners. To ensure the game respects the established lore while delivering fresh gameplay, the studio has collaborated closely with Lucasfilm Games from the very beginning of creative development. This partnership ensures that the aesthetic, sound design, and narrative elements align with the broader franchise universe.
Lucasfilm Games has been involved in creative decisions since day one, ensuring that the environments, characters, and vehicle designs fit seamlessly into the established lore.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Studio Name | Fuse Games |
| Headquarters | Guildford, United Kingdom |
| Year Founded | 2023 |
| Studio Head | Matt Webster |
| Core Team Size | Approximately 75 developers |
| Total Project Staff | Approximately 150 contributors |
| Creative Partner | Lucasfilm Games |
| Publisher | Secret Mode |
Industry Pedigree and Racing Heritage
The foundation of Fuse Games is rooted in some of the most celebrated racing franchises in video game history. The studio was founded by senior developers from Criterion Games, the legendary development house behind the Need for Speed and Burnout series. This heritage brings a wealth of knowledge in high-speed mechanics, vehicular physics, and satisfying arcade gameplay loops to the project.
Founder Matt Webster has a long history of working on high-profile intellectual properties. During his tenure at Criterion, Webster collaborated with DICE on the development of Star Wars Battlefront (2015) and Star Wars Battlefront II (2017). This unique combination of racing game expertise and direct experience with the sci-fi franchise makes the studio uniquely qualified to handle this project.
With veterans of Burnout and Need for Speed leading the project, players can expect a highly polished sense of speed and satisfying vehicle handling.
Criterion Legacy
- Burnout series expertise
- High-speed physics models
- Dynamic impact mechanics
Star Wars History
- Battlefront series experience
- Authentic asset recreation
- Strong Lucasfilm relationship
Arcade Expertise
- Accessible handling models
- Engaging progression loops
- Exciting multiplayer design
Game Design Philosophy and Features
Fuse Games is designing the title as a "racing adventure" rather than a traditional simulator. The game features a single-player campaign that includes off-track narrative elements where players control their character directly, bridging the gap between racing and adventure games. For competitive players, the game will support an online multiplayer mode hosting up to 12 players, complete with a structured ranking system.
The tracks themselves are built around the concept of freedom. The developers have stated that there is no single ideal racing line on the tracks. Instead, players must adapt to dynamic environments, choose their own paths, and utilize the unique handling characteristics of different vehicle classes. The game features iconic planets alongside new locations, and introduces a brand-new vehicle class to the universe: the skimspeeder.
Because there is no single ideal racing line, exploring alternative pathways and shortcuts on each planet is key to securing victory in competitive matches.
| Class | Speed | Handling | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Podracers | Extreme | Low | Classic high-speed thrusters |
| Landspeeders | Moderate | High | Balanced hover mechanics |
| Speeder Bikes | High | Very High | Agile maneuverability |
| Skimspeeders | High | Moderate | Brand new class introduced |
| Planet | Environment Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Tatooine | Desert | Classic canyons, podracing tracks |
| Lantaana | Varied | Diverse terrain and obstacles |
| Jakku | Scrapyard | Starship wreckage, sandy dunes |
| Ando Prime | Ice | Frozen lakes, slippery turns |
| Sentinel One | Industrial | High-tech facilities, tight corners |
Development Timeline and Launch Details
The journey of the game began with the founding of Fuse Games in 2023. After two years of quiet development, the project was officially unveiled to the public in December 2025 with a cinematic trailer at The Game Awards. The studio followed this up with a gameplay trailer in February 2026, showcasing the first look at the racing adventure mechanics, vehicle building, and planetary tracks.
The title is scheduled for a global release on October 6, 2026. It will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC. This release marks the fourth dedicated racing game in the franchise's history, following in the footsteps of Star Wars Episode I: Racer (1999), Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing (2001), and Star Wars Racer Revenge (2002).
The game is built exclusively for current-generation hardware, targeting PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC to deliver high framerates and detailed environments.
Studio Foundation (2023)
Fuse Games is established in Guildford by Criterion veterans and begins prototype work.
Official Reveal (December 2025)
The game is announced to the world with a cinematic trailer at The Game Awards.
Gameplay Showcase (February 2026)
The developer releases the official gameplay trailer, revealing tracks, vehicle building, and mechanics.
Global Launch (October 2026)
The game officially launches worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Summary and Checklist
By combining the arcade racing pedigree of Criterion veterans with the rich storytelling of the sci-fi universe, Fuse Games aims to deliver a modern racing experience that appeals to both genre veterans and franchise fans. With vehicle customization, open track layouts, and a dedicated campaign, the game stands out as a unique entry in the franchise's gaming library.
For official updates and developer interviews, players can visit the Steam Store News page or check coverage on major outlets like IGN.
Keep an eye on official development blogs as the October 2026 release date approaches for deep dives into the vehicle customization systems.
Key Facts to Remember:
- Developed by Fuse Games, based in Guildford, UK
- Led by former Criterion Games senior developers
- Created in partnership with Lucasfilm Games
- Releasing on October 6, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
- Features a mix of campaign adventure and 12-player multiplayer
Frequently Asked Questions
Review these frequently asked questions regarding the studio and the development of the upcoming game.
Q: Who is the Star Wars Galactic Racer developer?
The game is developed by Fuse Games, an independent studio founded in 2023 by senior veterans of Criterion Games.
Q: What other games has the developer worked on?
While this is Fuse Games' debut title, the studio's founders and senior staff previously worked on major franchises such as Burnout, Need for Speed, and the Star Wars Battlefront series.
Q: Is Lucasfilm Games involved in the development?
Yes, Lucasfilm Games has been actively involved in the creative development and decision-making process from the start of the project.
Q: When and on which platforms will the game release?
The game is scheduled to launch on October 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X/S.