Recently a previously reliable video game leaker known as Shpeshal Ed claimed that a game based on Disney+‘sThe Mandalorianwas in development. Having correctly predicted information about the May 2021 PS Plus games, manyStar Warsfans are hopeful that the leaker will be proved right once again.
Baby Yoda - also known as “The Child” or Grogu - is the break-out star ofThe Mandalorian. Many fans may even have a tough time imagining the show without him. However, there are some reasons Baby Yoda is unlikely to appear in a game based onThe Mandalorian. Here’s why, and what it could mean for any adaptation of the hit streaming show.
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A Mandalorian Game
In many waysThe Mandalorianhas the perfect formula for a video gameadaptation. Although it has an overarching plot, it is also relatively episodic, mirroring the way that players progress through long quest chains while visiting different areas in a game’s world and becoming embroiled in local conflicts.
A game based onThe Mandaloriancould be anRPG likeThe Witcher, or an open-world epic likeRed Dead Redemption 2. The stoic but humorous character of the Mandalorian himself even resembles video game protagonists like Geralt and Arthur Morgan, and his Mandalorian helmet makes him a great character for players to project themselves onto. Baby Yoda, on the other hand, may not be such a good fit for the format.
There are a couple of issues when it comes to including Baby Yoda in agame based onThe Mandalorian. One smaller initial issue would be figuring out how to make sure the character wasn’t getting in the way of combat, and didn’t feel like he was transforming the entire experience into one big escort quest. Many games have achieved this in recent years with non-intrusive companion characters, however, so including Grogu as a follower isn’t out of the question.
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The Timeline Problem
The main problem is that Baby Yoda would anchor anyMandaloriangame to the timeline of the show. Baby Yoda is the crux ofThe Mandalorian’s overarching plotline. In order for a game based onThe Mandalorianto includeBaby Yoda, the game would have to be set during the same time as the show, at least while it’s still releasing new seasons. It is possible that the game could take place in between seasons or in another gap in the narrative, but that would leave fans knowing that the relevance of the game’s main story would eventually be wiped away in favor of the show’s next season.
Setting a game based onThe Mandalorianin the same time period in theStar Warstimelineas the show could be extremely constricting for the storytellers. To realize its full potential the game needs a self-contained story with the possibility that characters will die for players to feel the stakes and truly immerse themselves in the game.
IncludingGroguwould put limits on when the game could be set, and the type of story it could tell. Overall, it would likely embed the story of theMandaloriangame within the broader arc of the show such that the show’s plot would end up overwriting the game’s story entirely.
The formula ofThe Mandalorianis easily applied to a video game adaptation, but specific characters like Baby Yoda are not. IfThe Mandaloriangameis in development, it would likely do well to leave the story of the show far behind and weave a narrative that is totally self-contained.
A game based onThe Mandalorianis rumored to be in development.
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