Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has, perhaps predictably, got off to a flying start. It's shifted enough copies to make it the UK's fourth-biggest boxed game launch of 2019 - it charted at two in its release week, behind Pokémon Sword and ahead of Shield - and it's the fastest-selling Star Wars game in terms of digital retail, based on its first two weeks.
We've no hard numbers to back these results just yet, but it's probably needless to say that where success lives, sequels follow. And that the November-released Fallen Order's been rather better received than its predecessor, 2017's much-criticised Battlefront II, can only be a good thing for publishers EA, who have the Star Wars license until 2023.
Not that everyone loved the game, of course. Yours truly (hi) reviewed it, and found it to be little more than a shadow of better games that it borrows its best ideas from. Without the Star Wars license attached, I doubt many people would care for an action-adventure game that came out quite so buggy (pre-patches). And sure, okay, the lightsaber combat is pretty cool - albeit not enough to carry the game. Anyway, plenty of other people really dig the game, and I am happy for them.
The head of Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind Fallen Order, has now issued a statement (via Business Wire) which fluffily thanks fans for enjoying the game. And, more importantly, buying a shedload of copies of it.
"On behalf of Respawn and EA, we thank everyone for their support of the studio and the team throughout the development and launch of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order," wrote Vince Zampela. "Telling a story in the Star Wars galaxy is a dream come true, and the reception from the fans has been incredible. With the launch of the game, the debut of The Mandalorian, and the upcoming release of The Rise of Skywalker, it's a great time to be a Star Wars fan."
I mean, sure. It is a great time for Baby Yoda memes. No doubt. In more interesting news, though, Charlie Hauser, brand strategy director at Respawn, has been talking up the possibility of a Fallen Order sequel. Mere days after the first game's release? That's some confidence there, Charlie.
Speaking to Gamesradar+, Hauser said:
"We've had an absolute blast (making the game). For a new team that's come together at Respawn, it's been a lot of learning to pull this off. Pending player reaction and feedback, and how everyone's feeling about it, we would love to continue making awesome experiences and stories, and keep telling that story in Star Wars."
By "that story", I assume he means the one of Fallen Order which, no spoilers, but for my money ends on a bit of a so-what moment. But I'm certainly up for Respawn - which has also worked on the monster battle royale hit Apex Legends in 2019 - having another crack at a single-player Star Wars adventure using the characters of Fallen Order. There's at least a couple in the mix that aren't as painfully bland as the Jedi of the title himself, Cal Kestis, and it'd be a treat to see more of them.
Maybe they could even kill Cal off in the opening moments, and give us someone more interesting to play as? Just an idea, Respawn. But it's yours, if you want it.
Featured Image Credit: EA/Respawn EntertainmentTopics: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Respawn, EA