The Game Comes First – Respawn to Use Unreal For Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Surprisingly, EA owned Respawn is using Epic Game’s Unreal engine and not EA’s own Frostbite engine for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

Even though EA didn’t acquire Respawn until November 2017, the two companies were working together since 2011. Respawn announced Jedi: Fallen Order about a year before the acquisition. It was unclear whether EA would give Respawn the flexibility to choose an engine other than Frostbite. 

Gameinformer recently interviewed Respawn’s CEO Vince Zampella and game director Stig Asmussen about the development process. In the 2-minute video, they described the surprising amount of flexibility from EA in order to build the game right. In this case, it meant choosing a competitor’s product, Epic Game’s Unreal engine, to get the job done right.

When asked if timing of the acquisition and the game development would have made a difference, Asmussen indicated no.

The Game Comes First For Jedi: Fallen Order

We’ll make the choice that’s best for the game.”

Vince Zampella, Respawn’s CEO

Zampella made it clear that they regularly make decisions for Jedi: Fallen Order that will improve the game for fans. They are passionate about making sure that all aspects of the game, down to the engine, result in a good experience for fans. 

I honestly don’t care as much whether the game uses Unreal or Frostbite or any other engine for that matter. What matters to me about this news is the fact that EA and Respawn are willing to do whatever it takes to make the game is good as it can be. The fact that EA would allow Respawn to continue the game’s development with its competitor’s product instead of forcing its own is strong evidence of this. 

What do you think about Respan using Unreal for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.