Galactic Racer devs: racing games are 'hard to push' for innovation compared with other genres

Fuse Games' creative team has framed racing as a genre in which meaningful innovation is tougher to achieve than in many other areas of gaming. In a Rock Paper Shotgun interview, founder Matt Webster and creative director Kieran Crimmins discussed the studio's approach to Star Wars: Galactic Racer and why the title leans toward a more traditional track-based format.

Crimmins described the challenge bluntly, saying the studio finds it "hard to push innovation" in racing in the same way developers can in other genres. That constraint informed design decisions for Galactic Racer, leading the team to refine established conventions rather than attempt a wholesale reinvention of racing fundamentals.

One concrete example is the game's boost system, which the pair likened to the temperature-sensitive mechanics seen in PS3-era racer MotorStorm: Pacific Rift. Rather than a simple recharge or pick-up model, the team has explored environmental and situational variables that affect boost behaviour, aiming to add tactical depth while preserving an accessible, high-speed experience.

Webster and Crimmins also addressed the choice to build a focused track racer instead of an open-world experience. The developers argued that open-world racing can quickly drift into repetitiveness and can dilute the spectacle and pacing that make arcade-style races memorable. A track-first design, they said, offers clearer control over flow, difficulty and set-piece moments.

The pair emphasised fidelity to the source material's vibe, describing Galactic Racer as an offroad speeder rush that prioritises cinematic, fast-paced runs through varied Star Wars locales. The aim is to balance novelty—through systems like the boost mechanics—with the familiar satisfaction of tight, competitive track racing.

Fuse Games' comments signal a pragmatic stance on innovation in racing: incremental systems-level changes and careful design trade-offs are preferred to radical genre departures. Further details on Galactic Racer's features and release plans remain subject to future announcements.