Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a significant and well-received surprise from The Game Awards 2025, has garnered considerable enthusiasm from fans. This excitement is largely attributed to its spiritual predecessor, the 1999 Nintendo 64 title Star Wars Episode I: Racer, a cult classic that still holds the record as the best-selling sci-fi racing game of all time. Aiming to captivate this substantial existing player base, Galactic Racer is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

The development of this highly anticipated title is spearheaded by Fuse Games, a studio established in 2023 by Matt Webster, formerly the general manager of Criterion Games at EA. This background is pivotal for Galactic Racer, as Webster and many of Fuse's founding team members, including Steve Uphill, Pete Lake, Alan McDairmant, and Andrei Shires, bring a wealth of experience in both Star Wars and racing game development. Their prior work on the Star Wars Battlefront and Need for Speed franchises under their previous employer provides a strong foundation for the new game.

Fuse Games commenced work on Galactic Racer in 2023, having successfully secured the necessary funding and licensing agreements with the support of publisher Secret Mode and Lucasfilm Games. This early start indicates that the targeted 2026 launch window is a realistic and achievable goal for the studio.

The game's narrative and setting immerse players in the perilous Outer Rim of the Star Wars galaxy, where they will participate in an unsanctioned underground racing league. Here, pilots must contend with some of the most formidable competitors the galaxy has to offer. The Galactic League, true to its unsanctioned nature, operates with a flexible rulebook, allowing pilots to aggressively slam into and shunt other vehicles off course with minimal repercussions, echoing the chaotic and thrilling podrace depicted in The Phantom Menace.

A core gameplay mechanic revolves around repulsorcraft technology, meaning vehicles hover above the ground and do not rely on traditional tires, eliminating concerns about grip. However, strategic vehicle choice remains paramount, as each vessel comes with its own distinct physics and play styles. Fuse Games' debut title is set to offer a rich gaming experience, featuring a compelling story-driven single-player campaign alongside various multiplayer modes. Players will also have the opportunity to customize their vehicles and equip different abilities, adding a layer of personalization and strategic depth to the racing action.