The Star Wars universe is vast and complex, with numerous stories, characters, and events that have shaped the franchise over the years. One of the most beloved and iconic games in the Star Wars canon is Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR), a role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts in 2003. The game’s engaging storyline, memorable characters, and immersive gameplay have made it a fan favorite, but a lingering question has persisted among fans and enthusiasts: is KOTOR canon?
The Rise of KOTOR and its Impact on the Star Wars Universe
Knights of the Old Republic takes place approximately 4,000 years before the events of the original Star Wars trilogy. The game follows the story of a young protagonist, a Republic soldier, who becomes embroiled in a conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Throughout the game, players encounter various characters, including familiar faces like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, as well as new ones like Carth Onasi and Bastila Shan.
KOTOR’s narrative explores themes of redemption, friendship, and the battle between good and evil, which resonated deeply with fans. The game’s success can be attributed to its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and the sense of ownership players felt in shaping their protagonist’s journey. Knights of the Old Republic received widespread critical acclaim, winning numerous awards, including Game of the Year at the 2003 E3 Awards.
The Canon Conundrum: Lucasfilm’s Shift and the Disney Era
In 2012, Lucasfilm, the production company behind Star Wars, was acquired by The Walt Disney Company. This marked a significant shift in the Star Wars universe, as Disney began to reassess the franchise’s vast library of content. In 2014, Lucasfilm announced the creation of the Lucasfilm Story Group, a division dedicated to overseeing the narrative continuity of Star Wars.
As part of this effort, the Story Group decreed that the Expanded Universe (EU), which included Knights of the Old Republic, would be rebranded as “Legends” and considered non-canonical. This move was largely seen as an attempt to simplify the complex tapestry of Star Wars stories and focus on new, Disney-era content.
However, this decision left fans wondering about the status of beloved characters, events, and stories like KOTOR. Would they be forgotten, or could they still hold a place in the Star Wars canon?
Arguments for KOTOR’s Canon Status
While the Lucasfilm Story Group has not explicitly stated that KOTOR is canon, several factors suggest that the game’s narrative might still be considered part of the Star Wars canon:
The Revan Factor
One of the most compelling arguments for KOTOR’s canon status is the character of Revan, the protagonist of the game. Revan’s story and legacy have been referenced and explored in various Star Wars media, including the Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG, which is considered canon. If Revan, a character central to KOTOR, is part of the canon, it’s reasonable to assume that the events of the game are, too.
Continuity with Other Canon Media
Knights of the Old Republic takes place during the Old Republic Era, a period in Star Wars history that has been explored in various canon media, including the Tales of the Jedi comic series and the Star Wars: The Old Republic game. The game’s narrative is closely tied to these other stories, making it difficult to dismiss KOTOR as non-canonical.
Lucasfilm’s Recent Signals
In recent years, Lucasfilm has made subtle nods to KOTOR, hinting that the game might still be considered part of the canon. For example, the Star Wars: Age of Republic comic series, published in 2018, features a character named Satele Shan, who is mentioned in KOTOR as a Jedi Master. This reference suggests that Lucasfilm is not entirely dismissing the events of the game.
Counterarguments and the Gray Area of Legends
While there are strong arguments for KOTOR’s canon status, there are also counterarguments and gray areas that muddy the waters:
The Legends Label
Despite the arguments presented above, the fact remains that Lucasfilm has officially designated KOTOR as part of the “Legends” continuity, which is separate from the canonical Star Wars narrative. This distinction suggests that, at the very least, KOTOR is not considered part of the primary canon.
Inconsistencies and Discontinuity
Knights of the Old Republic contains some inconsistencies with other canon media, particularly in regards to the timeline and character backstories. These discrepancies could be seen as evidence that the game is not entirely compatible with the current Star Wars canon.
The Disney Era’s Focus on New Content
The Disney era of Star Wars has been marked by a focus on new, canonical content, such as the sequel trilogy and The Mandalorian. This emphasis on new stories and characters might imply that Lucasfilm is not prioritizing the integration of older, Legends-era content like KOTOR into the canon.
A Galaxy of Possibilities: The Future of KOTOR’s Canon Status
As the Star Wars universe continues to evolve, the question of KOTOR’s canon status remains open to interpretation. While Lucasfilm has not explicitly confirmed the game’s canonical status, the arguments presented above suggest that it’s possible that KOTOR could be reevaluated as part of the canon in the future.
The Lucasfilm Story Group has demonstrated a willingness to revisit and recontextualize older content, as seen with the incorporation of The Clone Wars animated series into the canon. It’s possible that KOTOR, with its rich narrative and beloved characters, could be reexamined and reintegrated into the canon in a similar manner.
Ultimately, the fate of KOTOR’s canon status lies in the hands of Lucasfilm and the Star Wars creative team. As the franchise continues to grow and evolve, fans can only speculate about the possibilities surrounding this beloved game and its place in the Star Wars universe.
| Game Title | Release Year | Developer | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knights of the Old Republic | 2003 | BioWare | LucasArts |
| Star Wars: The Old Republic | 2011 | BioWare | Electronic Arts |
Is Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic considered canon?
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a complex issue when it comes to its canonical status. While it was initially considered part of the Star Wars expanded universe (now rebranded as “Legends”), the game’s story and characters have been partially reincorporated into the new canon.
However, the current canonical status of Knights of the Old Republic is still unclear. While some elements, such as the planet of Taris and the Mandalorian Wars, have been reintroduced into the new canon, the game’s main storyline and characters, such as Revan and Malak, remain outside of the official canon. As a result, it is difficult to definitively say whether Knights of the Old Republic is considered canon or not.
What is the difference between the old and new canon?
The old canon, also known as the “Legends” continuity, was the original expanded universe of Star Wars, which encompassed a vast array of media, including books, comics, and video games. This continuity was established in the 1970s and 1980s, and it was considered the official Star Wars canon until 2014.
In 2014, Lucasfilm rebranded the expanded universe as “Legends” and introduced a new canon, which includes the sequel trilogy, as well as new media such as books, comics, and television shows. The new canon is overseen by the Lucasfilm Story Group, which ensures that all new media is consistent with the overall narrative of the Star Wars universe.
What is the significance of the Lucasfilm Story Group?
The Lucasfilm Story Group is a team of creatives and executives responsible for overseeing the development of new Star Wars media, including films, television shows, books, and comics. The group was established in 2013, following the acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney.
The Lucasfilm Story Group plays a crucial role in determining what is considered canon and what is not. They work closely with creators and writers to ensure that new media is consistent with the overall narrative of the Star Wars universe, and they are responsible for making decisions about what elements of the old canon are incorporated into the new canon.
Why was the old canon rebranded as “Legends”?
The old canon was rebranded as “Legends” in 2014, following the acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney. The rebranding was done to distinguish the old expanded universe from the new canon, which was being developed by the Lucasfilm Story Group.
The decision to rebrand the old canon as “Legends” was made to provide a clear distinction between the two continuities and to give creators the freedom to develop new stories and characters without being tied to the existing expanded universe.
What is the significance of Revan in the Star Wars universe?
Revan is a central character in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and he is considered one of the most iconic characters in the Star Wars expanded universe. Revan’s story, as told in Knights of the Old Republic, is a complex and epic one, spanning thousands of years and multiple galaxies.
However, since the rebranding of the old canon as “Legends”, Revan’s canonical status has been unclear. While some elements of his story have been reincorporated into the new canon, his character and exploits remain outside of the official canon. As a result, Revan’s significance in the Star Wars universe is currently unclear.
Will Knights of the Old Republic be remade or rebooted?
There have been persistent rumors about a potential remake or reboot of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, but nothing has been officially confirmed by Lucasfilm or Disney. While there is certainly interest in revisiting the game’s story and characters, any remake or reboot would need to be carefully considered in the context of the new canon.
If a remake or reboot of Knights of the Old Republic were to be made, it would likely involve significant changes to the game’s story and characters to bring them in line with the new canon. This could involve reworking Revan’s character and backstory, as well as introducing new elements to make the game more consistent with the current Star Wars narrative.
What does the future hold for Star Wars canon?
The future of Star Wars canon is likely to involve a continued evolution of the narrative, with new media and stories being introduced to expand the universe. The Lucasfilm Story Group will continue to play a crucial role in overseeing the development of new canonical media, ensuring that it is consistent with the overall narrative of the Star Wars universe.
As the Star Wars universe continues to grow and evolve, it is likely that we will see further incorporation of elements from the old canon, as well as the introduction of new characters and stories. However, the exact direction that the canon will take in the future remains to be seen, and fans will no doubt be eagerly anticipating new developments and announcements from Lucasfilm and Disney.