Star Wars KOTOR Remake Developer Finally Revealed; Full KOTOR II Remake with Restored Cut Content
A major development shake-up in one of gaming’s most anticipated remakes has finally come to light. According to journalist Stephen Totilo in a detailed report for Game File, the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake is now being developed by Mad Head Games, the Serbian studio best known for Pagan Online and Scars Above, and currently at work on Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival. Mad Head Games operates under Saber Interactive, which took over the KOTOR Remake following Aspyr Media’s failed vertical slice presentation in 2022.
This marks the first time the specific developer has been named since Aspyr’s departure. Confirmation aligns with previous statements from Saber Interactive leadership, who reported positive progress roughly eighteen months ago.
A Long, Complicated Road for KOTOR’s Revival
The KOTOR Remake has faced a turbulent development history. Rumors first surfaced in early 2020, culminating in an official announcement during the September 2021 PlayStation Showcase, where it was presented as a PC and PlayStation 5 exclusive. Aspyr Media, long associated with Star Wars ports and remasters, initially helmed the project. However, by mid 2022, development halted after Aspyr’s internal demo presentation reportedly failed to satisfy both Sony and Lucasfilm. Responsibility for the project quietly shifted to other Saber teams, and now, Totilo confirms Mad Head Games as the primary studio.
Disney Also Planned a Full KOTOR II Remake with Cut Content Restored
Totilo’s reporting contains another major revelation. During a legal deposition in March 2025, longtime Lucasfilm Games vice president Douglas Reilly confirmed that Disney and Lucasfilm had planned a KOTOR II: The Sith Lords remake (codenamed Juliet) that would reintegrate the original cut content, long known to fans through community restoration mods. Reilly stated that KOTOR II “is still technically on the roadmap” and that development planning prioritized starting with the KOTOR I Remake.
Totilo emphasized that while this information is more than rumor due to its origin in sworn testimony, the current status of either remake is unclear as of late 2025. The roadmap, however, demonstrates Disney’s broader ambitions to fully modernize the beloved Old Republic era for a new generation.
A Legacy Worth Rebuilding from the Ground Up
Originally released in July 2003 by BioWare, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remains one of the most celebrated RPGs ever created. Its influence on modern choices and morality systems is still felt today, though its real time with pause combat would require modernization comparable to Square Enix’s approach to Final Fantasy VII Remake. Obsidian’s KOTOR II: The Sith Lords followed in 2004 with strong critical reception, albeit less unanimous acclaim than the first game. Its cut content has become part of its mythos, making the prospect of an official restored edition highly appealing to fans.
Additional Rumors Point to a New Announcement at The Game Awards
In a separate claim, reliable leaker Kurakasis suggested via X that a significant Star Wars game announcement ending with “The Old Republic” is imminent and may appear at The Game Awards 2025. As always, this rumor should be treated cautiously, but the timing aligns with increasing industry chatter about Lucasfilm Games ramping up its Old Republic era initiatives.
Whether this signals progress on the remake, a companion project, or something entirely new remains to be seen.
With development confirmation finally surfacing and Disney’s roadmap indicating deep investment in revitalizing the Old Republic era, fans may soon see long awaited momentum behind one of the most iconic RPG franchises ever made.
What are your hopes for the KOTOR Remake now that the developer has been revealed? Would you prefer a faithful remake or a full modern reimagining? Share your thoughts.
