Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic secures large investment as director Casey Hudson seems to reject the use of gen-AI
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, the spiritual successor to the beloved Knights of the Old Republic franchise, has secured significant investment backing. Simon Zhu, the former president of global investments and partnerships at NetEase, has committed to funding the project through his newly formed holding company, GreaterThan Group, which aims to invest in and operate studios and video games globally.
The game is being developed by Arcanaut Studios, led by industry veteran Casey Hudson, who previously directed the original Knights of the Old Republic and the Mass Effect trilogy during his time at BioWare. The studio has assembled a team of former BioWare developers who have contributed to acclaimed franchises including Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age.
Set in the Old Republic era of the Star Wars timeline, Fate of the Old Republic is being developed as a single-player RPG. A notable aspect of the project is the development team’s explicit stance against using generative AI in the game’s creation. Director Casey Hudson has stated that he finds AI to be “creatively soulless” and expressed that he is “really unimpressed with it,” indicating the studio’s commitment to traditional creative development methods.
The investment and team assembly represent a significant vote of confidence in Hudson’s vision, coming at a time when generative AI adoption has become increasingly common across the gaming industry. The decision to eschew AI-assisted development stands in contrast to broader industry trends and highlights a philosophical approach prioritizing traditional creative craftsmanship.