In the universe of “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor,” developed by Respawn Entertainment, there is an unexpected fan favorite character that stands out amidst the epic lightsaber battles and grand narratives. The character is neither a Sith Lord nor a Jedi Knight, but rather a humble door technician named Rick.
Rick the Door Technician appears fairly late into the game’s main campaign. The protagonist, Jedi warrior Cal Kestis, encounters Rick after surviving a particularly grueling garrison battle. At this point, players are likely low on health, without a checkpoint, and bracing for another intense combat encounter. However, Rick is not a formidable foe but a surprise comic relief. Despite being labeled as a “boss,” Rick can be defeated with a single hit, making him one of the most memorable and shortest boss fights in the game.
The origins of this quirky character are rooted in the game design philosophy of Respawn Entertainment. Jonathan Wright, the lead encounter designer at Respawn, explained in an interview with IGN that the encounter with Rick was designed as a release of the built-up tension from the preceding battle. With players stressed and anxiously searching for a checkpoint, Rick was introduced to offer a moment of levity and emotional reset.
This approach is a testament to Respawn’s balance of the mostly serious narrative and events in “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” with moments of humor. Wright stated, “The seriousness of the rest of the game is what makes the more humorous moments land. The contrast between funny and serious elevates both kinds of moments. We knew that the moment with Rick was important because of this”.
What Respawn didn’t anticipate, however, was the overwhelming fan response to Rick. The stormtrooper-turned-door-technician quickly gained a devoted fanbase, inspiring fan art, mods, and other creative content. Wright described the community’s love and support for Rick as “indescribable,” expressing awe at how the character sparked a wave of creativity among players.
Despite the fans’ clamor for more of Rick, Wright maintains that the character’s story has already reached a fitting conclusion. Instead of adding more Rick content, he suggested letting players enjoy the existing narrative and exercise their creativity in imagining Rick’s backstory.
In the end, Rick the Door Technician has become a testament to the power of game design in shaping player experiences. His presence in “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” serves as a reminder that, sometimes, the most memorable characters are not the ones with the grandest powers or most heroic deeds, but those that offer a moment of respite and humor amidst the challenges.
