How Come Fuse Games Gets to Make a Star Wars Racing Game?

Why It Matters

By delivering a high‑budget Star Wars racing game, Fuse Games revives a dormant franchise niche and demonstrates that mid‑size studios can successfully execute AAA‑quality licensed titles, reshaping expectations for future IP collaborations.

Key Takeaways

• Fuse Games leverages Criterion pedigree to develop Star Wars racing title.
• Studio built sustainable 75‑person core team using distributed development partners.
• Star Wars Galactic Racer fills decades‑long gap in franchise racing games.
• Relationships from Battlefront work secured Lucasfilm license and trust.
• AAA‑level visuals and 4K‑60 aim to revive pod‑racing nostalgia.

Summary

The Game Business Show introduced Fuse Games’ upcoming Star Wars Galactic Racer, a high‑profile racing title that aims to revive the franchise’s long‑absent pod‑racing experience. Founded three years ago by former Criterion leaders, the UK studio has grown to a core team of roughly 75 developers and relies on a network of distributed partners to scale capacity without over‑extending resources. Fuse’s pedigree includes Burnout, Need for Speed and recent work on Unbound, giving it a track record of innovating within the racing genre. Leveraging relationships forged during work on Star Wars Battlefront and other Lucasfilm projects, the studio secured the Star Wars license and chose Unreal Engine to mitigate technical risk while delivering 4K‑60 visuals that promise a true “Star Wars spectacle.” Matt Webster highlighted the nostalgic pull of the original Episode I pod‑racer, noting that the new trailer’s “profound” fan reaction validates the market appetite. He also emphasized the studio’s philosophy of fresh mechanics—making mid‑pack finishes feel rewarding—to differentiate the game from conventional racers. The project signals a resurgence of Star Wars racing games after two decades, showcases the UK’s growing capability to produce AAA‑level experiences, and could set a new benchmark for licensed racing titles, potentially expanding the franchise’s revenue streams beyond traditional shooters and open‑world adventures.

Original Description

We speak to new UK studio Fuse Games about its debut game Star Wars: Galactic Racer, the first new Star Wars racing game in over 20 years. We discuss working with Lucasfilm, how it secured such a big licence, the state of racing games, and just who exactly are Fuse Games

00:00 Introduction

02:34 Setting up Fuse

05:38 How they operate

08:10 Racing genre

10:28 How they got Star Wars

13:16 AAA route

15:22 No Star Wars racers

16:14 Prequel nostalgia

19:15 TGA reveal

21:47 Secret Mode

23:55 Lucasfilm relationship

25:44 Success