Ubisoft CEO Blames Star Wars Outlaws Flop on Brand Struggles
▼ Summary
– Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot attributed Star Wars Outlaws’ poor performance to the Star Wars brand’s recent struggles, rather than addressing the game’s own issues.
– The Star Wars franchise has faced criticism for recent films and TV shows, but fans found Guillemot’s explanation reductive and dismissive of the game’s flaws.
– Star Wars Outlaws received mixed reviews due to repetitive gameplay, technical bugs, and pre-release controversies, including accusations of “pushing an agenda.”
– The game’s first story expansion, A Pirate’s Fortune, was released in May, introducing Hondo Ohnaka as an ally in new missions.
– Star Wars Outlaws is set to launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 4, expanding its platform availability.
Ubisoft’s CEO has pointed to broader franchise challenges as the primary reason behind Star Wars Outlaws falling short of expectations, though critics argue the game’s own shortcomings played a significant role. During a recent shareholder discussion, Yves Guillemot suggested the title’s lukewarm reception stemmed from the Star Wars brand navigating turbulent times rather than inherent flaws in the game itself.
While it’s undeniable that recent Star Wars films and Disney+ series have faced mixed reactions, from The Rise of Skywalker to The Acolyte, many fans found Guillemot’s explanation overly simplistic. The game launched with notable technical hiccups, including bugs and monotonous combat mechanics, as highlighted in reviews like IGN’s 7/10 assessment. These issues, rather than franchise fatigue, likely contributed more to its middling performance.
Controversy also shadowed Outlaws well before release, with accusations of Ubisoft “pushing an agenda” sparking heated debates online. This polarization may have further dampened enthusiasm among certain segments of the fanbase.
Despite its rocky start, the game has seen post-launch support, including May’s A Pirate’s Fortune DLC. The expansion introduces fan-favorite smuggler Hondo Ohnaka as an ally to protagonist Kay Vess, sending players on new missions against rival factions like the Rokana Raiders. For those who missed it initially, Star Wars Outlaws will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 this September, offering another chance to explore its open-world take on the galaxy far, far away.
The discussion around Outlaws underscores a recurring tension in licensed games: while brand strength can drive interest, execution ultimately determines longevity. Whether Ubisoft addresses player feedback in future updates, or doubles down on attributing its struggles to external factors, remains to be seen.
(Source: IGN)
