Tony Elias, a writer known for his work on Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake, has joined Arcanaut Studios as Narrative Director for the upcoming action RPG Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, according to StarWarsNewsNet. The move, along with the reported hiring of sci-fi author Jenny Dewes as a writer, signals a commitment to strong narrative design even as the game carries a vague release window before 2030. These hires are the most concrete update on the project since its world premiere trailer late last year.

Tony Elias takes narrative control of Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic

Elias brings a formidable resume to the project, having contributed to Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, and the now-canceled Wonder Woman game, according to StarWarsNewsNet. His appointment suggests that Arcanaut Studios is prioritizing a deep, branching narrative for Fate of the Old Republic, an open-world action RPG set in the beloved Star Wars universe. The narrative strength of Cyberpunk 2077—despite its troubled launch—makes Elias’s involvement particularly noteworthy for fans of story-driven sci-fi.

Jenny Dewes adds another layer of narrative depth

In addition to Elias, reports indicate that sci-fi author Jenny Dewes has been brought on as a writer for the project. Dewes’s background in fiction could help ground the game’s story in the rich lore of the Old Republic era, a period that has been largely unexplored in modern Star Wars games. The dual hires reinforce the impression that Arcanaut and publisher Lucasfilm Games are investing in a strong writing team from the outset, even if the game itself remains in early development.

A pre-2030 release window that may stretch longer

The game carries a promised release window before 2030, yet the current state of development—with narrative leads only now being publicly confirmed—suggests the project is still in relatively early phases. It is possible these hires were in place for some time and are only now being acknowledged, but the lack of any substantial gameplay footage or detailed roadmap means the pre-2030 target must be taken with a grain of salt. The move comes after months of near-silence from Arcanaut Studios, broken only by the initial teaser trailer.

Why Star Wars Eclipse and the KOTOR remake are cautionary tales

The Star Wars gaming landscape is littered with ambitious projects that have stalled or collased entirely . Star Wars Eclipse, announced in 2021 by Quantic Dream, has not released a follow-up trailer and its development status remains unclear. The long-awaited Knights of the Old Republic remake, first revealed in 2021, is reportedly on hold. These precedents underscore the challenges of bringing a AAA Star Wars RPG to market, particularly one set in a less familiar era. Fate of the Old Republic must avoid a similar fate by providing consistent updates and clear milestones.

The game's reveal trailer remains the only official window into its world

As of now, the only official look at Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is its world premiere trailer from late last year. Key details—such as which platforms the game will launch on, its engine, whether it is truly open-world, and how it will handle player choices—remain unconfirmed. Fans are hoping for more regular communication from Arcanaut Studios to build trust and maintain momentum. the Elias and Dewes hires are positive steps, but without a clearer picture of the game itself, enthusiasm may remain tempered.