An upcoming novel, Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon, will delve into the backstory of Jaylen Vrax, the primary antagonist from the 2024 video game Star Wars Outlaws. Published by Random House Worlds on February 3, 2026, the 384-page book by Mike Chen promises to expand on the darker elements of the Star Wars universe.
The Rise of a Crime Lord
The novel centers on Jaylen Vrax’s transformation from a privileged heir to a ruthless crime lord. Stripped of his family’s fortune by the Empire on fabricated charges, Vrax is left for dead after a droid assassin attempts to wipe out his entire clan. Surviving the attack, he reprograms the battle droid—designated ND-5—and adopts a new identity to evade his enemies.
This shift represents a critical turning point in Vrax’s character arc, forcing him to abandon his former life and embrace a life in the underworld. The narrative suggests this is not merely a tale of revenge, but a study in how desperation and circumstance can forge a criminal empire.
A Unique Partnership
The story also explores the perspective of ND-5, a former Separatist battle droid rendered obsolete by the end of the Clone Wars. Left with no purpose, the droid forms an unlikely alliance with Vrax. The official synopsis highlights the tension between their survival instincts and ambition.
“With the threat against the Barsha clan still shrouded in mystery, the pair has no choice but to leverage the chaos and disappear.”
Their dynamic—a human seeking power and a droid seeking purpose—is central to the plot. The novel asks if they will pursue answers at the risk of their newfound alliance or succumb to greed.
Context and Significance
Star Wars Outlaws is set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, a period ripe with political instability and criminal opportunism. The prequel novel aims to enrich this era by grounding Vrax’s story in concrete origins. This approach adds depth to the game’s narrative, making the villain more than just a roadblock for the protagonist, Kay Vess.
The fact that Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment are expanding the game’s lore through literature demonstrates a commitment to world-building beyond the primary gaming experience. By giving Vrax a detailed backstory, the franchise is reinforcing its universe’s complexity. The novel serves as a reminder that even in a galaxy far, far away, power vacuums and imperial overreach breed organized crime.
