Gameplay footage and artwork have surfaced from Star Wars: Magellan, an ambitious action RPG once in development at Echtra Games, showing Jedi and Mandalorian classes before the project was cancelled following the studio's closure
Previously unseen gameplay footage and concept art from Star Wars: Magellan, a cancelled action RPG, have surfaced online, offering a rare look at a project that was in development at Echtra Games before the studio's closure. The material, published by MP1st and sourced from a former artist's portfolio, provides the first public evidence of the game's existence and intended features.
Project Background
Star Wars: Magellan was in development at Echtra Games, a San Francisco-based studio founded by ex-Blizzard developers and known for Torchlight 3. After launching Torchlight 3 in 2020, Echtra was acquired by Zynga, which had plans to publish Magellan following its arena shooter Star Wars Hunters. However, the studio was shut down in 2025, and Magellan was cancelled before reaching release.
The project was a collaboration between Echtra Games and NaturalMotion, targeting PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. According to the available evidence, Magellan was designed as a multiplayer action RPG, allowing players to choose between Jedi, Mandalorian, and potentially other classes within the Star Wars universe.
Gameplay and Features
The released footage shows two playable character archetypes: a Mandalorian fighter, referred to as "The Exiled Mandalorian," and a Twi'lek Jedi, known as "The Hunted Jedi." The Jedi class is depicted deflecting blaster fire with a lightsabre and using Force powers to push enemies, while the Mandalorian character demonstrates jetpack-assisted movement and a flamethrower attack. Enemy types include Stormtroopers, droids, and large mechs, with environmental hazards such as explosive barrels also present.
Descriptions accompanying the footage suggest Magellan aimed for a more ambitious scope than Star Wars Hunters, with at least two distinct character classes, a companion bond system for unlocking new interactions, and "shoot and loot" gameplay elements. The available material appears to be from an early development build, with no indication that the game reached a playable public state before cancellation.
Development Status and Cancellation
Star Wars: Magellan was cancelled when Zynga closed Echtra Games in 2025, leaving the project unfinished and unreleased. The footage and artwork now place Magellan alongside other high-profile cancelled Star Wars projects such as Project Ragtag, Star Wars 1313, and Battlefront 3. No official statement has been made regarding the reasons for the cancellation beyond the studio's closure, and there is no indication that the project will be revived by another developer.
While Magellan will not see release, the Star Wars franchise continues to expand across games and media. Upcoming releases include the second season of Ahsoka and the Ryan Gosling-led Star Wars: Starfighter, both scheduled for 2027. The cancellation of Magellan highlights the volatility of large-scale licensed projects, particularly when studios undergo major organisational changes.
Franchise Context and Player Impact
The emergence of Magellan's footage offers a glimpse into what could have been a significant addition to the Star Wars gaming landscape. Its focus on class-based action RPG mechanics and companion systems would have set it apart from recent Star Wars titles. The cancellation also reflects a broader trend of ambitious Star Wars projects being shelved before completion, often due to shifting publisher priorities or studio closures.
For players interested in the fate of major franchises, the story of Magellan echoes recent industry developments where studio closures have led to the end of promising projects. This pattern is not unique to Star Wars, as seen in other high-profile cancellations and delays. For example, Ubisoft recently experienced a surge in player numbers for Assassin's Creed Odyssey following the release of The Odyssey film, as discussed in our coverage of the renewed interest in the Assassin's Creed series.
Cancelled projects like Magellan serve as a reminder of the challenges involved in developing large-scale licensed games, where creative ambition must be balanced against business realities and shifting organisational structures.
In the context of game development, a "cancelled project" refers to a title that is formally discontinued before reaching release, often due to studio closure, funding withdrawal, or strategic realignment by the publisher. Unlike a delayed or paused project, a cancelled game typically sees all development activity cease, with assets and code archived or discarded. For players, this means that any features, mechanics, or innovations planned for the game will not be realised unless revived by another team or incorporated into future projects. The cancellation of high-profile games can also affect franchise momentum and player expectations, especially when early footage or concept art has generated interest.
