A Mandalorian Video Game Is 'In Development'
Cue the music, polish the beskar, and herd some Nerfs - a Mandalorian video game is reportedly in the works. There's a bounty on our heads, as the galaxy far, far away is set to expand even further with its growing list of video games. Following the success of Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian, the hit Disney series could be getting its own time to shine as a video game adaptation. With May 4 (Star Wars Day) just around the corner, is an announcement be just over the twin sun horizon?
2021 has already been huge for Star Wars video games thanks to the resurrection of Lucasfilm Games. Although Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has been delayed indefinitely, Ubisoft has announced an ambitious open-world Star Wars game and EA has vowed to keep making titles for the franchise. Many moons ago, there were plans for a Boba Fett video game (more on that later), and just like the ashes of Josh Trank's canned Boba Fett movie led to The Mandalorian, a Mando video game could next on the cards.
What is the rumoured Mandalorian video game?
According to industry insider Nick "Shpeshal Ed" Baker, there's more to Xbox boss Phil Spencer's recent Zoom call. Spencer has become the master of the Easter egg and is constantly teasing/trolling gamers with the background of his calls. It was Spencer that revealed the Xbox Series S ahead of its official announcement when he had it on a shelf behind him. Elsewhere, he recently had a statuette of the Kojima Productions mascot AND a Nintendo Switch - hinting at possible deals with Hideo Kojima and Nintendo. Of course, some think we've gone too deep down the rabbit hole with all this wild speculation.
Posting on Twitter, Baker said a Mandalorian Funko Pop featured on Spencer's shelf is the first nod toward a video game based on Pedro Pascal's stoic bounty hunter. Baker wrote, "Ok. So you'll notice...there's a Mandalorian Funko on Phil's shelf. Yes. Someone is making a Mandalorian game. Not sure who yet. Sorry."
There wasn't much else to the reveal, other than the fact Baker seems adamant "someone" is making a Mandalorian video game. The fact he doesn't mention it being an Xbox exclusive suggests it'll be a multi-console release. Unfortunately, Baker then deleted tweet, which could mean he was wrong OR has been asked to take it down because he's on the money. Either way, we're suitably pumped to see where the story could go next.
When could we see a Mandalorian video game?
If a Mandalorian video game is announced, expect it to be a long way off. You only have to look at Bethesda's lengthy development on Starfield, that still doesn't have a release date after being announced back in 2018. However, the idea of this being an Xbox exclusive is potentially massive news. Microsoft has already promised there will be more exclusives in the near future, however, we hope a Mandalorian game would arrive on all systems.
We previously mentioned a Boba Fett game that was cancelled. Back in the day, Star Wars 1313 was planned to be a gritty Mando-based game that took the action into the seedy underbelly of Coruscant. It was in development under LucasArts and officially announced at E3 2012 as a proposed tie-in to the planned Star Wars: Underworld series. 1313 had a tonne of artwork and was already well into production when Disney closed LucasArts in 2013. Star Wars overlord Kathleen Kennedy has teased that the ideas could be revisited in the future, but with the trademark abandoned, it's clear 1313 will never see the light of day. Still, they could be reworked into a game based on The Mandalorian.
As for The Mandalorian, it's become a massive hit for Disney and is one of the best-received entries to the galaxy of Star Wars shows and movies. We already know a third season is on the way, while it's also served as a springboard for shows including Ahsoka and The Book of Boba Fett. With the Mando name continuing to expand, a tie-in video game is sure to fly off the shelves. Even if it's all hearsay and rumours for now, a Mandalorian video game makes a lot of sense. This is the way!
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