‘Star Wars: Hunters’ Release Date Announced Alongside New Cinematic Trailer
The long-in-development mobile/Switch game Star Wars: Hunters finally has a release date: June 4. The official Star Wars YouTube channel posted the latest cinematic trailer with the announcement. Players can also pre-register now to earn special in-game rewards upon release.
The cinematic trailer introduces the concept of Star Wars: Hunters to fans who are new to the game… or who could well be forgiven for forgetting it existed in the three years of announcements, delays and a bafflingly long soft launch since the game was first announced in 2021. Star Wars: Hunters allows the player to take the role of one of a number of fighters, each with their own skills and combat style, to fight for glory in a PvP arena.
The game takes place after the fall of the Empire on the planet Vespaara, where gladiators compete in various arenas, many themed to look like planets such as Endor and Tatooine. The trailer shows off a game mode called Control where team Gundark (Aran Tal – a Mandalorian, ‘Slingshot’ – an Ugnaught riding a Droideka, Rieve – a ‘Sith’ and J-3DI – a droid programmed to believe he is a Jedi) battle to keep control of key areas of the map from team Mudhorn (Zaina – a former Rebel, Grozz – a Wookiee warrior, Imara Vex – a bounty hunter and Sentinel – an ex-Stormtrooper). The roster is truly larger-than-life with the cast topped off by Utooni – a character comprised of two Jawas standing on each other’s shoulders to fill out a trenchcoat!
In an interview with Starwars.com, the developers revealed how they worked with Lucasfilm Story Group to develop such an outlandish roster of characters while still fitting within the storyline of the universe. They also shared more of their influences behind the game, which include WrestleMania, as the game is set as an in-universe holonet show called ‘Hunters of the Outer Rim’. That pro-wrestling influence is seen as matches begin with characters having their own entrance music and styles.
Each Hunter has their own music theme, which is really, really awesome. We have what we call, internally, “Hunter’s spectacle.” That is, how would the Hunters walk out on stage and present themselves? And once they walk out, their music is playing, as well. So we think our best-in-class visuals on mobile really help deliver and showcase that progress and influence.
Another WWE style element is the newly introduced announcers, Boz Vega a hulking Dowutin (a species first seen in Maz’s castle in The Force Awakens) who is loud and enthusiastic and LX-1, who is equipped with everyone’s stats and, as the trailer suggests knowledge of each character’s backstory and rivalries, which could make for an interesting variety depending on which combination of hunters you are playing.
So.. it would appear that Star Wars: Hunters is actually happening! The game will release on Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android on June 4th. Visit starwarshunters.com to pre-register for the game and receive rewards including exclusive weapons and skins – Nintendo Switch players will receive an additional reward for playing the game at launch.
A teacher from Wales in the UK, Aled has loved Star Wars ever since that Star Destroyer flew over his head and blew his mind.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Jay Goodearl runs the YouTube Gaming channel “Good Games, Dude” His channel aims to open up video games to beginners and immediate players and help them understand what makes games the art form that it is.
