A LONG TIME AGO (21 YEARS) IN A GALAXY NOT FAR AWAY (NORTH AMERICA), GAMERS GOT THEIR FIRST GLIMPSE OF KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC
By James Brumfield
On July 15, 2003, the Canadian video game developer BioWare released Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for the Xbox and immediately captured imaginations with the game’s immersive storytelling and rich visual worlds. The fastest-selling Xbox title of the time, selling out the initial shipment of games within four days, the monumental hit would go on to sell more than 3 million copies by 2007, cementing itself as one of the most influential role-playing games of the sixth generation of video game consoles.
‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ Sith in Armor Original Video Game Preliminary Concept Art (LucasArts, 2003)
‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ Idea for Red Assassination Droid Original Video Game Preliminary Concept Art (LucasArts, 2003)
As the first RPG in the Star Wars saga, the game also firmly established a new era within the Star Wars universe. Even after Knights of the Old Republic’s relegation to non-canon “Legends” status by Disney upon the company’s acquisition of Star Wars, the game’s influence can still be seen – from the ongoing Old Republic massively multiplayer online game to the Bastila and Revan figures in the Black Series Collection to the Hammerhead corvette’s design in Rogue One and even a reference to the Rakatan Invasion in Andor. Knights of the Old Republic will remain in the consciousness of Star Wars fans for as long as Star Wars exists.
July 18, 2024
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Now, on July 18, just days after the 21st anniversary of the game’s release, Heritage presents The Concept Art of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Video Games Showcase Auction, a dynamic collection of preliminary art created by then BioWare Director of Concept Art and Design John Gallagher. From droids and humanoids to alien creatures and action-packed scenarios, Gallagher’s work encapsulates the imaginative breadth and artistic detail that contributed to Knights of the Old Republic’s critical and commercial success. “The artwork here is just a small portion of the output for the game and perhaps one of the last remaining bodies of work that exists in analog form before studios went completely digital,” Gallagher says. “That makes these pieces rare artifacts indeed and an extraordinary legacy of a game that has ascended to a measure of immortality within the franchise.”
Gallagher’s work on Knights of the Old Republic has had a major influence on the visuals of Star Wars. From the iconic design of Revan to the look of the enemy Sith to the headgear with which players would equip their character and party members, many of the key and influential aspects of the game can be seen in the pieces in this auction. One of the more interesting challenges Gallagher faced was staying faithful to the feeling of Star Wars while capitalizing on the opportunity that a new time period afforded. Through the designs featured in this auction one can see how masterfully he handled the task. The shiny metal look of the Sith troopers echoes but does not copy the pristine white of the original movie’s stormtroopers and prequel’s clone troopers. The concepts for the starships are different from the movies in design but similar in feel, with sharp angles for the bad guys and more rounded or industrial looks for the protagonists. And, of course, the aliens Gallagher drew are either straight from the older movies or are new designs that would feel right at home in the Mos Eisley Cantina.
“Being free of the Skywalker canon to create new content from the ground up was an incredible opportunity,” says Gallagher, who cites Star Wars as his earliest inspiration for becoming an artist. “To a person, the team was made up of people whose lives had been changed by Star Wars, for some in radical ways, and the chance to inform and enrich that universe was a dream come true.”
But this assemblage of sketches and concept drawings doesn’t just celebrate the artistic achievement of Gallagher and the Knights of the Old Republic team; it also provides fans a tangible connection to a game that has captivated millions. In addition to offering collectors the chance to own a piece of the development of one of the most influential RPGs in history, the auction is a rare opportunity to own what could have been – the concepts and ideas that for one reason or another never made it into the final game.
“It was both an honor and a privilege to be a part of something like this, a unique and incredible moment in time and a project for the ages,” Gallagher says of Knights of the Old Republic. Now, for the game’s fans, Heritage presents an auction for the ages.
JAMES BRUMFIELD is a Video Games Consignment Coordinator at Heritage Auctions.