Star Wars Outlaws developer Massive Entertainment has revealed why it set its open world, galaxy-spanning adventure between the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
Speaking to IGN, Massive Entertainment creative director Julian Gerighty explained that, while this time period was chosen in part because his colleagues are all huge fans of the original trilogy, there's a very specific reason relating to its scoundrel-led story.
The time between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi is a lull for the Rebellion, meaning not just the Empire is running rampant, but the Outer Rim's festering crime organisations are too.
"When we were starting off the discussions with Lucasfilm, it was very clear that the one year period between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, that's where the Rebels aren't part of the picture," Gerighty said.
"The Empire's taking more and more control, but the syndicates, they're taking more power, they're exploiting all of these weaknesses. So it really is a moment where the underworld is thriving and there's no better situation for an established or a rookie scoundrel to cut their teeth than this particular moment."
Ubisoft's open world Star Wars game was finally revealed as Star Wars Outlaws at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 11, with a gameplay reveal following soon after at Ubisoft Forward.
Star Wars Outlaws follows Kay Vess as she embarks on a scrappy adventure around the galaxy, using her wits (and a blaster bolt or two) to navigate the fearsome underbelly of the Outer Rim.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.