Star Wars Episode I: Racer stated they wanted to make it "feel like an eyeball-peeling racing game, where you're going so fast, you're just nervous." The game was originally titled "Star Wars: Podracer", however the subtitle was changed to "Episode I Racer" when LucasArts learned that another company owned the trademark for games with the name "Pod" in the title. Actor Jake Lloyd, who portrayed Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace", promoted the game at E3 1999. Lloyd also provided voice over for his character in the game. The theatrical score from was reused for the game, and various sound effects
Star Wars Episode I: Racer from the film were also reused. The podracers were recreated using specifications from the film, and the Tatooine environment was also sourced from the film. Several of the game's other locales had never appeared in a "Star Wars" game prior. The varied environments, Tosti said, were "to add more depth to the gameplay." During an IGN interview with LucasArts' Tom Byron at E3 1999 the question of online play was brought up. Byron was unsure, citing problems "mostly because of latency issues." Some multiplayer code from "" was utilized for "Episode I: Racer". Ultimately internet play was not included. The