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TheStar Warsuniverse is known for its lore, beloved characters, and genre-defining cinematography. The three trilogies, the spinoff shows, and other media are all things that most fans are familiar with. But behind the scenes, its gaming history is littered with ambitious projects that never saw the light of day.
![Darth Maul faces off against Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Clone Wars [Credit Lucasfilm Animation]](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/08150509/Darth-Maul-faces-off-against-Obi-Wan-Kenobi-in-The-Clone-Wars-Credit-Lucasfilm-Animation-1024x510.jpeg)
Among these lost treasures is Red Fly Studio’s untitled Darth Maul game. Designed as a gritty, hack-and-slash adventure showcasing the infamous Sith Lord, the game would’ve featured the character’s origin story alongside some above-average feeling combat. The project ultimately never came to life and remains a what-if.
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The initial report for this came via Game Informer back in 2015. Unofficially titledStar Wars: Maul, was envisioned as a gritty action adventure with Maul at its core. Red Fly Studio began development in 2010, followingtheir success with the Wii version ofThe Force Unleashed II.
Concept art from the cancelled Darth Maul game that was in development for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii U:pic.twitter.com/nGhijcKNDo
Initially planned as a Nintendo exclusive, the project expanded to include platforms like PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. However, communication issues with LucasArts and a lack of clear direction stopped progress.
George Lucas himself reshaped the project mid-development with another storyline featuring Maul and Darth Talon.
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Lucas’s vision for a buddy cop dynamic between Maul and Talon clashed with the original darker tone of the game. This pivot created logistical challenges for Red Fly, as Talon’s timeline didn’t align with Maul’s. The developers tried to make these changes and attempted to make this new story work with the gameplay.
Here’s concept art for the cancelled Darth Maul game, which was not finished due to Disney picking up Star WarsArt is by Thomas A. Szakolczaypic.twitter.com/8G5IxyLvpH
After months of uncertainty, LucasArts cut ties with the studio in 2011, effectively shelving the game. The project’s demise highlighted deeper issues within LucasArts, which was struggling to find its identity amid corporate changes.
Red Fly attempted to pitch a revival to Electronic Arts (EA), the company that now controls the gaming side of the franchise. But these efforts were met with indifference, signaling the project’s demise.
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The game’s cancellation coincided with Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, a move that dissolved LucasArts and handedStar Warsgaming rights to EA. This change ended up being a big turning point for the franchise as the new gaming division struggled to find its identity.
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The Darth Maul game could’ve been a standout for its potential to explore darker themes and mature storytelling. Fans fans were already invested in the character of Darth Maul and were excited by the idea of stepping into into his boots.
E3 Demo Gameplay Footage for Star Wars 1313 which would’ve been an M-Rated 3rd Person Shooter.It would’ve centered on exploring young Boba Fett taking various missions from crime lords from Coruscant’s slums called 1313.The game was cancelled after Disney acquired Star Warspic.twitter.com/JtHnCmboQs
Years later,Star Warsgames still haven’t been the best. While we’ve had decent success with the likes ofJedi Fallen OrderandJedi Survivor, the latest project from Ubisoft has had its share of struggles.
While Red Fly Studios has since moved on, the passion and creativity behind the project serves as a reminder of what’s possible when smaller studios are given the freedom to innovate.
Unfortunately, it’s something we will never see come to life. Which cancelledStar Warsgame would you have liked to play?
Daniel Royte
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1368
As part of the FandomWire team, Daniel has followed the hero-shooter genre closely with a focus on titles like VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals. you may also find him providing insight on the latest AAA titles from Elden Ring to GTA 6 and exploring the world of gacha games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. With more than 1,000 articles under his belt, you’ll need to look no further for a unique insight into every situation.If he’s not looking for the latest video game news, you’ll find him cheering on Ferrari in the race tracks of Formula 1 or at the theatres for the latest MCU releases.
