Star Wars: Galactic Racer will launch on October 6, 2026, on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Developed by Fuse Games with Lucasfilm Games and published by Secret Mode, this arcade racing game will feature a solo campaign with branching routes, the Campaign, Scenario and Arcade modes, and cross-platform online multiplayer for up to 12 drivers. It is neither an open-world game nor a straightforward remake of Star Wars Episode I: Racer: podracers, landspeeders, speeder bikes and skim speeders will share the same Galactic League. No split-screen mode has been announced so far.
With its release set for the beginning of the month, the game naturally ranks among the games to watch in October 2026 on Game.fr.
Key facts about Star Wars Galactic Racer
- Release date: October 6, 2026, worldwide.
- Platforms: Windows PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S; no PS4, Xbox One or Nintendo Switch 2 version has been announced.
- Concept: an arcade racing adventure built around “runs,” with a canonical story set after Return of the Jedi.
- Solo: a scripted campaign, Scenario and Arcade modes, permanent progression and temporary upgrades depending on each attempt.
- Multiplayer: online, cross-platform PvP for up to 12 players, according to Steam, Secret Mode and PlayStation.
- Split-screen: not announced; the PlayStation listing indicates one local player.
- Open world: no. Fuse Games is focusing on handcrafted tracks, shortcuts and mastering them.
- Status: the game went gold on August 19, 2026, confirming that the launch version is ready for manufacturing.
Star Wars Galactic Racer: quick facts
| Title | Star Wars: Galactic Racer |
|---|---|
| Release date | October 6, 2026 |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Developer | Fuse Games |
| Publisher | Secret Mode |
| Collaboration | Lucasfilm Games |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5, identified by technical and encyclopedic sources |
| Genre | Arcade racing and run-based adventure |
| Solo modes | Campaign, Scenario and Arcade |
| Multiplayer | Cross-platform online PvP, up to 12 players |
| Vehicles | Podracers, landspeeders, speeder bikes and skim speeders |
| Open world | No, races take place on handcrafted tracks |
| Status | Gold since August 19, 2026 |
More than a new Podracer: the concept behind Galactic Racer
Comparison with Star Wars Episode I: Racer is inevitable. The 1999 game turned the pod race from The Phantom Menace into a full championship, with extremely fast vehicles, mechanical upgrades and iconic tracks. Galactic Racer brings back that immediate thrill of speed, but shifts the focus: podracing becomes the premier discipline in a broader ecosystem instead of the only available formula. Fuse Games presents its project as a high-stakes “racing adventure.” The expression covers three layers. First comes arcade driving, with drifting, drafting, collisions, takedowns and abilities. Next is vehicle preparation: every part and ability must serve a strategy. Finally, the campaign links races through route choices, encounters in the paddocks and consequences that go beyond a simple ranking. The result should therefore not be understood as Episode I: Racer 2 or as an open-world game. After experimenting with procedural tracks, Fuse chose handcrafted layouts to encourage memorizing corners, shortcuts and hazards. Pods remain essential, but three other repulsorcraft families diversify the physics and builds.
Story: Shade against Kestar Bool in the New Republic
The story takes place after Return of the Jedi, at the beginning of the New Republic era. The Empire has lost its grip, but the Outer Rim does not suddenly become peaceful. In this political vacuum, the game imagines a boom in betting and mechanical spectacle. Syndicates fund drivers, while the Galactic League organizes an underground championship where reputation, money and survival are decided at very high speed. The protagonist is Shade, a mysterious driver motivated by revenge and glory. This is not an entirely blank avatar: Shade has a defined place in the story, even though customization elements will let players shape the character's presentation. The main goal is to dethrone Kestar Bool, the League's champion, an influential figure and an antagonist connected to a personal grievance against the Bool family. Darius Pax leads the Galactic League and recruits Shade to undermine Kestar's dominance. His voice also gives events and the championship's culture more weight. The gameplay trailer published by StarWars.com confirms this role, as well as Kestar's position at the top of a network where competition and syndicate interests overlap. Hibi, an Ardennian mechanic, accompanies the player's progress. Her workshop moves to the paddock on each planet. Between events, Shade can explore these areas, listen to other drivers, accept challenges and have Hibi install parts earned during a run or purchased at the workshop. This off-track breathing room should prevent an impersonal “menu, race, result” loop. Several familiar faces connect the game to the saga's history. Sebulba returns as a legendary driver and can support Shade, provided the player earns his respect. Ben Quadinaros, the Toong seen in The Phantom Menace, has also been shown officially. Preview information additionally links Griff Halloran, a former Imperial pilot from Star Wars Resistance, to the cast. There is still some uncertainty about the exact number of playable drivers. A screen from a preview version showed thirteen, while Matt Webster, Fuse's executive and game director, later referred to twelve playable drivers, including Shade. Until the final launch roster is published, twelve is the most recent stated figure and the thirteen-driver screen should be treated as preliminary-version material.
Gameplay: how the run-based campaign works
The solo campaign does not follow a completely linear championship. Each attempt, or “run,” moves Shade through a sequence of choices. Players select events and routes, earn parts, develop a temporary setup and decide how far to push the risk. A poor run of races or too many crashes can end the round; the player must then rebuild the plan and start again. This structure recalls certain roguelite principles, but it would be reductive to automatically place the game in that category. Racing, story and track mastery remain central. Most importantly, not everything is erased after failure: StarWars.com specifies that some advantages and unlocks acquired during previous attempts are retained. Progression therefore combines player learning, permanent elements and decisions specific to each run.Campaign, Scenario and Arcade: the three announced solo modes
Campaign is the narrative core. Shade chooses a route through the League, forms alliances, develops rivalries and seeks to reach Kestar Bool. Events and available upgrades can change from one attempt to another, which should refresh the journey without making the tracks themselves random. Scenario brings together challenges with more focused conditions or objectives. The full details of every variant have not yet been published. It would therefore be inappropriate to invent a list of scenarios before launch. Arcade, meanwhile, offers more direct access to races and events; the Deluxe Edition specifically adds three Arcade events designed for its Kor Sarun vehicles. Driving is offensive: collisions, takedowns, shields and tools affect the race without replacing lines, drifting and acceleration. A preview ended an attempt after three crashes; this figure from a press build has not been confirmed for every mode or difficulty level.
Podracers, landspeeders, speeder bikes and skim speeders
The four classes do not appear to be limited to different stat bars. Fuse Games says it connected them to real-world references so that their behavior feels intuitive despite the absence of wheels and conventional traction.Landspeeders: drifting, mass and resistance
Landspeeders draw on cars, rally vehicles and off-road machines. Heavier vehicles, they favor drifting, stability and durability. They should suit a physical driving style capable of maintaining momentum through corners and absorbing contact more effectively. Their mass can become an advantage when a race turns into a door-to-door duel—without any doors.Speeder bikes: agility and acceleration
Speeder bikes take more inspiration from motorcycles. They are light, narrow and responsive. Gameplay presentations indicate that braking can store energy, which is then released when exiting a corner. Players therefore accept a calculated loss of speed to obtain a stronger acceleration burst. This class appears intended for those who prioritize precision and rapid changes of direction.Skim speeders: aviation-inspired lines
Skim speeders are a creation developed with Lucasfilm Games. Their real-world analogue is the aircraft: they bank heavily and use banking turns, with a so-called “knife edge” ability for pivoting around obstacles or negotiating tight bends. They are therefore not simply landspeeders with a different profile.Podracers: speed at the top
Podracers retain the twin-engine and cockpit silhouette made famous by Episode I. Fuse describes them as the game's ultimate competition vehicles, combining the philosophy of a chariot and Formula 1. They occupy the fastest end of the spectrum and require tracks suited to their size. This is also the class where the legacy of Sebulba, Ben Quadinaros and the Mos Espa Circuit is most visible.
More than 300 parts, builds and a strategic garage
Customization is not limited to colors. Sources from Fuse Games interviews mention more than 300 parts and a theoretical number of combinations in the trillions. This striking figure should be read as an indication of potential depth, not as a promise that every setup will be equally useful. Parts alter statistics, but can also unlock abilities or create synergies. A build can pursue raw speed, impact resistance, drift quality, boost recharge, shield protection or takedowns. The track and planet also factor into the decision: a configuration that works on a neutral layout can become risky in lava or insufficient on ice. Hibi plays a practical role here. Her workshop lets players equip rewards earned during runs or purchase components. Over the course of an attempt, players must choose between immediately improving their vehicle, saving resources and anticipating upcoming events. Some unlocks persist, while the temporary build is reconstructed during the round. This logic brings the garage close to a light RPG system without replacing skill. It can nevertheless change the ideal racing line: driving through water to cool the engine or equipping a shield before an aggressive event becomes a performance decision.Ramjet, overheating, damage and crashes: speed comes at a cost
The Ramjet is one of the mechanics highlighted by Fuse. The system works as an extra burst of thrust that players can extend, but it builds up heat. Releasing it at the right moment provides an advantage without destroying the machine; holding it for too long can cause overheating and then the vehicle to explode. Speed therefore becomes a resource to manage rather than a free bonus. Upgrades can turn this risk into a strategy. One preview, for example, describes a modifier that reduces Ramjet consumption during jumps. Other combinations may speed up its recovery or link it to the normal boost. These values come from playable versions before release and may still be rebalanced. The damage system reinforces this tension. Contact with a rival, obstacles and poor environmental awareness do not merely cost a few seconds. Build durability and the number of tolerated crashes affect survival during a run. A fragile vehicle may dominate on a straightaway while jeopardizing an entire attempt after one poorly prepared collision. In an official interview published on August 31, Fuse Games' designers explained that some tracks must remain playable between approximately 300 and 1,000 km/h. The higher figure corresponds to endgame builds, particularly podracers. This is a goal of feel and readability: the scenery, corners and visual cues must give drivers time to decide despite the speed.
Confirmed tracks and planets
The environments are not merely Star Wars scenery. They introduce conditions capable of changing the vehicle, its temperature or its racing lines. The officially shown worlds and arenas include:- Jakku: races through desert landscapes and the remnants of the Galactic Civil War; according to a developer interview, some variants may expose vehicles to the sun's heat.
- Tatooine: a return to the podracing imagination and multiplayer action beyond the Mos Espa Circuit.
- Ando Prime: an icy world where the cold can slow or freeze the machine; heated tunnels act as a countermeasure in versions shown to the press.
- Lantaana: a jungle crossed by water and lava zones. Water helps with cooling, while magma accelerates overheating.
- Sentinel One: a volcanic surface seen in the official gameplay trailer.
- Derven Acos: an arena revealed in the story trailer shown at Summer Game Fest 2026.
For privacy reasons YouTube needs your permission to be loaded. For more details, please see our Annonceurs & Partenariats Gaming sur Game.fr.
Multiplayer: up to 12 players, cross-play and Tour mode
Star Wars: Galactic Racer supports cross-platform online PvP for up to 12 players. Secret Mode states a range of one to 12 players, Steam confirms cross-platform multiplayer and the PlayStation listing announces up to 12 participants with a PS Plus subscription. On Xbox consoles, the applicable online subscription requirements must also be considered. Sessions are not necessarily limited to a quick race. Previews describe a Multiplayer Tour comprising six events: the first five are used to earn credits and temporarily build the driver or vehicle, while the sixth serves as the final. Bets on finishing position, contracts and rivalries can affect Tour progression. This structure comes from pre-release testing; the exact rules and available variants should be checked again in the commercial version. Driver selection appears to have a mechanical effect. Characters begin with different affinities or orientations, while Tour rewards further refine the build. Abilities shown or reported include shields, ion effects, offensive tools and even flamethrowers. Here again, final balancing may change.Why podracer races may be limited to eight
The general limit is twelve, but previews indicate that podracing may be limited to eight competitors, probably because of the size and speed of these machines. This limit does not appear in general official listings, so it should be treated as preview information until confirmed in the final game.Will there be split-screen?
No split-screen or local multiplayer has been announced. The PlayStation page lists one offline player and up to twelve online. Statements from Fuse reported by the press explain that technical constraints led the studio not to include split-screen in the current project. To play together at launch, players will therefore need online mode and one machine per player.
Standard, Deluxe and Collector Editions: prices and contents
Secret Mode is selling three main editions. The announced European recommended prices are €59.99 for Standard, €79.99 for Deluxe and €159.99 for Collector. Prices and stock may vary by platform and retailer.Standard Edition
The Standard Edition includes the base game. It is available digitally on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as physically on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. This is the appropriate option for players who do not want physical items or bonus vehicles.Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition adds three Kor Sarun vehicles: the Darc X landspeeder, the Ciza T speeder bike and the Rak S skim speeder. It also includes three dedicated Arcade events, liveries inspired by the Naboo N-1 starfighter, a multiplayer banner pack and an 80-page digital art book. A separate Deluxe upgrade is expected at launch, allowing Standard Edition owners to purchase this content later.Collector Edition
The physical Collector Edition combines the Deluxe digital content with several items: a metal model of the Kor Sarun Darc X landspeeder, a banner bearing the Bool family emblem, two driver patches, an 80-page physical art book, a steelbook, a slipcase and premium packaging. Secret Mode has announced it for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Availability depends on territories and stock.Pre-order bonuses and physical distribution
Every pre-order includes an additional livery for repulsorcraft and a banner background for multiplayer. The livery's color varies by platform. Store terms specify that these bonuses could be sold later, so they should not be described as permanently exclusive. PLAION is handling worldwide distribution of the physical versions under an agreement with Secret Mode. The boxed Standard and Deluxe Editions are announced for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, while the Collector box also covers PC. Before buying, check whether the platform and retailer provide a disc or a code.Star Wars Galactic Racer PC requirements
As of September 9, 2026, the official Steam page lists minimum requirements, but no recommended tier. Several guides reproduce a higher “recommended” configuration; because no equivalent table is visible on Steam or in Secret Mode's announcement, it remains provisional and should not be treated as an official requirement.| Component | Official Steam minimum | Recommended configuration reported by guides |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Windows 11, to be officially confirmed |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-10700 or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, provisional |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM, provisional |
| Graphics card | Nvidia RTX 2060, Intel Arc A580 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT 6 GB | RTX 3060 Ti, Arc B580 or RX 6700 XT, provisional |
| Storage | 50 GB available, SSD required | 50 GB on an SSD, provisional |
DLSS 4.5 and ray-traced Lumen lighting
Nvidia confirms native support for DLSS 4.5 from day one on compatible GeForce RTX PCs, with Super Resolution and Dynamic Multi Frame Generation depending on the hardware. Hardware-accelerated ray-traced Lumen lighting should also benefit from DLSS Ray Reconstruction. These features concern compatible cards and settings; they do not mean that every configuration will use the same level of ray tracing. Technical and encyclopedic sources identify Unreal Engine 5 as the game's engine. The use of Lumen points in the same direction, but final performance will need to be assessed on the commercial version. For now, the minimum requirements provide no information about target resolution, frame rate or detail level.DLC and post-launch content: what has actually been announced
Fuse Games has said that elements will arrive after launch, according to comments from executive Matt Webster reported by the press. This confirms an intention to support the game, but not a precise roadmap. No number of tracks, drivers, vehicles or expansions has been made official for this period. No detailed season pass has been announced as of September 9, 2026. The game is being sold as a premium production and the Deluxe Edition has its own upgrade pack. This does not automatically imply a seasonal model, battle pass or DLC schedule. The accurate wording is therefore: post-launch content has been mentioned, but its nature and price remain unknown. The presence of optional in-game purchases on the PlayStation listing is consistent with the Deluxe upgrade and possible separately sold content, but it is not enough on its own to conclude that recurring microtransactions will be included. A more precise analysis will have to wait for announcements from Secret Mode or access to the final version's menus.Star Wars Galactic Racer versus Episode I: Racer
| Element | Star Wars Episode I: Racer | Star Wars: Galactic Racer |
|---|---|---|
| Discipline | Podracing only | Four vehicle classes |
| Era | The Phantom Menace period | Beginning of the New Republic |
| Structure | Traditional championship | Run-based campaign and branching routes |
| Progression | Pod upgrades | Parts, abilities, synergies and persistent elements |
| Tracks | Fixed layouts centered on pods | Handcrafted layouts, hazards and multiple physics models |
| Story | Light context connected to Episode I | Canonical story featuring Shade and Kestar Bool |
| Multiplayer | Local formats or options specific to each edition | Cross-platform online play for up to 12 players |
More to read on Game.fr
Star Wars Galactic Racer FAQ
When is Star Wars Galactic Racer releasing?
Star Wars: Galactic Racer will launch worldwide on October 6, 2026. Fuse Games announced that the game went gold on August 19, indicating that the version intended for manufacturing is complete.
Which platforms will Star Wars Galactic Racer be released on?
The game is confirmed for Windows PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. No PS4, Xbox One or Nintendo Switch 2 version has been announced as of September 9, 2026.
Is Star Wars Galactic Racer Episode I Racer 2?
No. It takes the idea of Star Wars racing and podracers, but adds three other vehicle classes, a story set during the New Republic, a run-based campaign, builds and modern multiplayer.
Is the game open world?
No. Star Wars: Galactic Racer is built around handcrafted tracks. The goal is to memorize layouts, shortcuts and hazards rather than explore an open map.
Is there a solo campaign?
Yes. The campaign follows Shade through the Galactic League. Players choose events and upgrades during runs, while some advantages and unlocks remain available in later attempts.
What game modes have been announced?
The officially mentioned solo modes are Campaign, Scenario and Arcade. The game also offers online PvP races and a multiplayer Tour system shown in previews.
How many players can participate online?
The official general limit is 12 online players. Previews indicate a limit of eight participants for podracer races, but this specific point remains to be confirmed in the final version.
Does multiplayer support cross-platform play?
Yes. Steam officially lists cross-platform multiplayer. Group, account and cross-progression arrangements have not yet all been detailed.
Is there a split-screen mode?
Not at launch according to the available information: no split-screen mode has been announced and the PlayStation listing indicates one local player. Multiplayer therefore requires an online connection and one machine per player.
Which vehicles can players drive?
Four categories are confirmed: podracers, landspeeders, speeder bikes and skim speeders. Each has distinct physics and a different driving style.
Which edition should I choose?
The €59.99 Standard Edition is enough for the complete game. The €79.99 Deluxe Edition adds three vehicles, three Arcade events, liveries, a banner and a digital art book. The €159.99 Collector Edition is aimed mainly at fans of physical items.
Are a season pass or DLC planned?
Fuse Games has mentioned post-launch content, but no season pass, DLC schedule or specific pack has been announced as of September 9, 2026.
