Ubisoft has confirmed it'll be using its existing Snowdrop engine for its untitled open-world Star Wars game. The game was announced as part of a new era of Star Wars titles as the franchise breaks away from EA's exclusivity. Details are scarce for the title, though it's believed it could be a game based on The Mandalorian.

Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine was created for its Destiny-like RPG, The Division. The engine allows for really efficient methods of game development such as being able to make assets quickly and interact with them in ways other engines wouldn't allow. It also brings a lot of incredible visual enhancements and authentic day/night cycles. The engine has also appeared in games like Mario + Rabbids and South Park: The Fractured but Whole, so it can also be used in games that aren't aiming for a realistic look. As already noted, it's largely meant to help with efficiency.

Related: What Star Wars' Open World Should Learn From The Division 2

With that said, Ubisoft revealed that Massive Entertainment would be using the Snowdrop engine for its Star Wars game at an earning's call. With the prowess of the engine, it's highly likely we could see the open-world title sooner rather than later. There's no release window currently but Massive has been able to churn out games at a pretty rapid rate. The first two Division games released about three years apart, which is impressive given their scope and scale.

Kylo Ren in Star Wars Battlefront 2

Massive Entertainment is also working on a game based on James Cameron's Avatar films. It's unclear whether these will be directly adapting any of the movies, as there are currently 4 sequels in various stages of production right now, but it will also be using the Snowdrop engine. James Cameron noted at the time of the announcement that he was impressed by the technology, which is really saying something. Ubisoft also took a moment to confirm the Avatar game would be coming before the Star Wars game, assuring it's certainly not dead after a prolonged period of silence.

Ubisoft has taken cracks at licensed IP to varying results. The studio has grown a lot over the last decade, learning lessons about franchise fatigue but also how to evolve its franchises like Assassin's Creed. Ubisoft has a variety of hits and misses but Massive Entertainment has had a steady output of really solid games, especially in the open-world space. For Disney to put the studio in charge of Star Wars and Avatar, it's probably because there's extreme potential.

Next: Star Wars: 5 Reasons To Be Excited For Ubisoft's Game (& 5 Why We're Nervous)

Source: Ubisoft