The unveiling of Star Wars: Galactic Racer at The Game Awards 2025 created a massive stir among fans. This widespread enthusiasm is hardly surprising, given the lasting legacy of the 1999 Nintendo 64 title, Star Wars Episode I: Racer. That game achieved cult classic status and still holds the impressive record as the best-selling sci-fi racing game of all time, establishing a high bar for its successor.
A New Era of Star Wars Racing
Aimed squarely at tapping into this large and dedicated player base, Galactic Racer is scheduled for launch in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The development effort is spearheaded by Fuse Games, a studio founded in 2023 by Matt Webster, the former general manager of Criterion Games at EA.
The pedigree of the team is a crucial factor in the anticipation surrounding Galactic Racer. Webster, along with key founding members—including Steve Uphill, Pete Lake, Alan McDairmant, and Andrei Shires—bring significant experience from both the Star Wars and racing genres, having previously worked on major franchises such as Star Wars Battlefront and Need for Speed under their former employer, EA.
Fuse Games initiated development in 2023 after successfully securing the necessary funding and licensing agreements with the support of publisher Secret Mode and Lucasfilm Games. This early start strongly suggests that the targeted 2026 launch window is a realistic goal for the ambitious project.
Underground Competition in the Outer Rim
Galactic Racer plunges players into the perilous Outer Rim of the Star Wars galaxy, where they compete in an unsanctioned, underground racing league. Here, pilots must challenge some of the most skilled racers the galaxy has to offer. In keeping with the high-stakes, chaotic nature of the podrace seen in The Phantom Menace, the Galactic League operates with very lax rules, permitting pilots to aggressively ram and shunt their rivals off the course without facing penalty.
Vehicles used in the league are repulsorcraft, meaning they hover above the ground and do not rely on conventional tires or grip. Consequently, players do not need to worry about traction as they navigate courses across iconic planets from the franchise. However, strategic vehicle selection remains vital, as each chassis possesses unique physics and distinct play styles that pilots must master.
Fuse Games’ debut title is set to offer a substantial, story-driven single-player campaign alongside multiple engaging multiplayer modes. The game will also feature extensive customization options for vehicles, allowing pilots to equip different abilities for a tactical edge in races.