Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft’s ambitious open-world Star Wars title, has seen sales that are softer than expected, prompting the developers to rethink their post-launch strategy. Despite its innovative gameplay and detailed world, the game has struggled to capture the audience’s full attention, leading to a pivot in Ubisoft’s approach, including delays to other major titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, now postponed to 2025.
Steam Launch and First DLC
In an effort to breathe new life into the game, Ubisoft has announced that Star Wars Outlaws will be launching on Steam on November 21, 2024. This marks a significant shift as the game was previously exclusive to Ubisoft’s own launcher and the Epic Games Store. The Steam release coincides with the launch of the first DLC, Wild Card, which will be available to all players, offering new narrative content that aims to re-engage the player base.
Wild Card introduces players to a high-stakes Sabacc tournament featuring Kay Vess, the game’s protagonist, as she goes head-to-head with the iconic Star Wars character, Lando Calrissian. This DLC is part of the Season Pass but can also be purchased separately. Creative Director Julian Gerighty has described this DLC as “fairly meaty,” promising a substantial addition to the game’s content. This DLC sets the stage for another major story expansion expected in spring 2025, which will see Kay encounter the infamous pirate Hondo Ohnaka in A Pirate’s Fortune
Free Updates and Gameplay Improvements
In addition to paid content, Ubisoft has committed to releasing multiple free updates aimed at enhancing the overall gameplay experience. These updates will focus on quality-of-life improvements, such as optimization, gameplay polishing, and tweaks to combat and stealth mechanics. Ubisoft’s development team has been actively monitoring player feedback and telemetry data to identify problematic areas within the game, particularly where players frequently struggle with stealth missions.
Julian Gerighty has noted that the development team is utilizing detailed player data to fine-tune specific mission challenges. For example, if players are frequently failing at a particular point in a quest, developers will investigate whether the issue stems from unfair design rather than skill level. This commitment to iterative improvement shows that Ubisoft is keenly aware of the game’s shortcomings and is actively working to address them
Season Pass Content and Exclusive Missions
The Star Wars Outlaws Season Pass offers additional benefits beyond the main DLCs. Upon purchasing the Season Pass, players will receive the Kessel Runner character pack, which includes exclusive outfits for Kay Vess and her companion Nix, along with access to the special mission “Jabba’s Gambit.” This mission involves a direct encounter with Jabba the Hutt, expanding the game’s narrative by adding a new layer of intrigue and danger. In the mission, Kay must deal with a debt owed to Jabba by one of her crew members, further intertwining her journey with the broader Star Wars underworld
Community Feedback and Future Plans
Ubisoft’s approach reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry: adjusting to feedback in real-time and maintaining a game’s relevance through continuous updates and new content. The decision to move Star Wars Outlaws to Steam is a strategic one, designed to tap into a wider audience that might have been hesitant to try the game on its previous platforms. Steam’s vast player base could provide the boost in sales and player engagement that Ubisoft needs to make the game a success.
Ubisoft has also outlined plans for ongoing engagement with the player community, encouraging feedback and suggestions that will help shape future updates. This responsive approach aims to keep the game evolving and improving, addressing player pain points as they arise.
Looking Forward
As Star Wars Outlaws prepares for its Steam debut, Ubisoft’s commitment to post-launch support, combined with its strategic DLC and free updates, shows a clear dedication to enhancing the player experience. Whether these efforts will be enough to turn the tide remains to be seen, but the developers are certainly making a concerted effort to refine the game based on player feedback and market realities.
With Wild Card launching on November 21, players can look forward to a richer, more polished Star Wars experience. Ubisoft’s promise of continued updates and meaningful content additions suggests that the journey for Star Wars Outlaws is far from over. Whether you’re a new player or a returning fan, the galaxy is about to get a lot more interesting.
