Update (8/26/2021 3:53 PM ET): Gameplay footage of a Mandalorian game running on Google Stadia has apparently leaked on YouTube, but it hasn't been confirmed as official or unofficial. No visible links to Ubisoft can be seen in the video, and the developer of the project remains unknown. The original story continues below.
Ubisoft, publisher of iconic video game franchises such as Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Watch Dogs, has potentially teased that its upcoming Star Wars game may be related to The Mandalorian. Ubisoft is one of the largest game publishers in the world, with many of its series experiencing annual success even after years of frequent releases. Meanwhile, The Mandalorian is an extremely successful Disney+ series set within the Star Wars universe, so a Mandalorian-related collaboration between the publisher and rebranded Lucasfilm Games would be a match made in heaven for many fans of the show.
Lucasfilm, the film and production company responsible for creating and producing Star Wars media, recently rebranded its video game division. The newly-renamed Lucasfilm Games is meant to mark the beginning of a new era for Star Wars video games, which had previously been of inconsistent quality under former sole Star Wars licensee EA. As a part of this new gaming initiative, Lucasfilm Games has announced a partnership with Ubisoft to create an open-world Star Wars game, which has proved a very exciting prospect for many. Though no other details about the title have been revealed so soon after its announcement, fans have already begun eagerly speculating about the nature of the upcoming game.
A tweet by Ubisoft Montréal celebrated the news of the Ubisoft-Lucasfilm Games partnership today, potentially hinting what the game could be about in the process. Quote tweeting Ubisoft's announcement video, Ubisoft Montréal simply commented, "This is the way," and even those passively aware of The Mandalorian will instantly recognize this as the most quotable line from the hit show. While this may be a simple throwaway reference to an extremely popular and current piece of Star Wars media, many wonder if it isn't a more straightforward hint that the upcoming open-world project will be related to The Mandalorian.
With the reinvigoration of Lucasfilm Games, Star Wars isn't the only property that will be receiving new video game tie-ins. The company recently announced a new Indiana Jones video game, which will be developed by modern Wolfenstein studio MachineGames. The choice of developer seems quite logical, since both the Indiana Jones films and the Wolfenstein games share a World War II setting and Nazis as primary antagonists. The treasure-hunting adventure was announced with few details by Microsoft-owned Bethesda, but players are already debating whether or not if this licensed title
The Mandalorian has exploded in popularity since the series began in 2019, with both protagonist Din Djarin and his infant companion, Grogu, becoming instantly recognizable pop culture icons since then. While Ubisoft Montréal's Twitter message is likely just an off-hand reference, it is hard to deny the appeal of an open-world game starring everyone's favorite bounty hunter, and there's little doubt that the studio doesn't know what it's implied about fellow studio Ubisoft Massive's latest project. A Mandalorian-like experience of exploring planets, capturing criminals, and upgrading Beskar equipment seem like a recipe for success that would fit well within Ubisoft's design philosophy.
Source: Ubisoft Montréal