LucasFilm Games and Ubisoft have announced that Ubisoft’s Massive Studio will be developing a new Star Wars game, taking the gaming side of the franchise out of the exclusive hands of EA for the first time in seven years. Not much has been revealed about the project other than that the game is planned to be open-world and story-driven.
If Star Wars fans are getting the opportunity to explore an open-world version of the galaxy, the new game shouldn’t just limit its playable races to the humans of the Star Wars universe, if it does contain playables as the open nature of the game suggests. Here are just some of the races players could be able to pick for their player character in Massive’s upcoming Star Wars game.
Bothans
The Bothans are a race of furry humanoids from the planet Bothawui with varying canine, feline, and equine facial features. Long-time members of the Galactic Republic, the Bothans are known for their penchant for political intrigue and their immense and complicated spy networks.
It was the Bothans who discovered the location of the second Death Star in Episode 6, as well as confirming that the Emperor was aboard. For a species so central to the Republic, the Bothans have no screen time in the movies, so giving players the chance to play as a Bothan in the new Star Wars game could help establish the species’ rightful place in the galaxy.
Chiss
With blue skin and red eyes, the Chiss species’ intimidating outward appearance is matched by their aversion to outsiders. The aristocratic Chiss Ascendency has allied with the Galactic Empire in the past, most famously the villainous Grand Admiral Thrawn.
After the Star Wars Extended Universe was declared non-canon, many fans wondered if Thrawn and the Chiss would ever return in a main Star Wars story. The Mandalorian Season 2 mentioned Thrawn by name, suggesting that the character and the Chiss are set for a return which could make them a great candidate for a playable race in an open-world Star Wars game.
Keshiri
The Keshiri are a highly religious species of purple-skinned humanoids native to the planet of Kesh. 5000 years before the events of A New Hope, the Keshiri began to worship the Sith after a Sith vessel crashed on Kesh, with many witnesses believing the Keshiri to be the “Skyborn,” their religion's deities.
Even when it became apparent that this was not the case, many Keshiri were quick to align themselves with the Sith. Some Kesh like Adari Vaal, however, helped form resistance movements in the past, giving Kesh players in an open-world Star Wars game a good footing in the lore whether they follow the light side or the dark.
Mirialans
Mirialans are a humanoid species with green and yellow skin, and facial tattoos signifying their achievements. Even before their integration into the galactic community, the Mirialan religion had a degree of understanding of the Force that has made many Mirialans great candidates for the Jedi Order, like Grand Master Luminara Unduli. Deeply spiritual, the Mirialans could be a great pick for a player who wants to explore the Force’s role in the natural world beyond the Sith and Jedi orders.
Twi’leks
The Twi’leks are among Star Wars’ most recognizable alien races, and are a top candidate for playable races in any Star Wars game which gives players the choice. Twi’leks are easily identified by two large tentacles on their heads, known as lekku, and despite often being enslaved some members of the species have been able to climb the ranks of the Jedi Order, like Aayla Secura. In other Star Wars games like Knights of the Old Republic Twi’lek companions like Mission have been among the most memorable characters.
Togrutas
Togrutas, like the Twi’leks are among the best-known Star Wars races. With the return of Anakin Skywalker’s former apprentice Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian, the Togruta species, identifiable by their large lekku and colorful facial patterns, has returned to the forefront of the franchise. Just 40 years before A New Hope a Togruta, Kirames Kaj, was the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. As one of Star Wars’ most visible alien species, they are also among the most likely candidates for playable races if Massive’s Star Wars game goes down that route.
Zabraks
The most famous Zabrak in the Star Wars series is Darth Maul, who recently returned to the big screen in Solo: A Star Wars Story. The species hailed from the planet of Iridonia, and as well as their distinct horns and facial tattoos also possessed two hearts and far greater resilience than humans. While Darth Maul served the Sith, many Zabrak played vital roles in the Rebel Alliance.
A highly independent species, Zabrak can be found in diverse roles across the galaxy. Whether the new open-world Star Wars game is the story of a Sith or a smuggler, a Zabrak player character could fit easily into the role, making them a great candidate for the new game’s playable race options.
Zeltrons
Zeltrons are a species of highly emotional and empathetic red-skinned humanoids from the planet Zeltros, a highly sought-after vacation location known in the Star Wars galaxy for its hedonism. The Zeltrons are known for their limited telepathic abilities, allowing them to more easily feel the emotions of others as well as projecting their emotions so that others can more easily empathize with them.
They are also able to release pheromones which cause people to find them more likeable and, if they wish, more attractive. Their connection with their emotions has often made them good candidates for the Sith, as well as among the more sympathetic Sith in Star Wars.
The extent of character customization in Massive Studios’ upcoming open-world Star Wars game has yet to be announced. However, if the game does include multiple species options, these alien races would provide a great diversity of designs while remaining humanoid enough to avoid having to create entirely new animation models and giving players the chance to take on the non-human side of the Star Wars galaxy first hand.
Ubisoft Massive's Star Wars game is currently in development.