In 2020, Massive Entertainment presented Lucasfilm Games with a concept for a new Star Wars game. Behind closed doors, the team explored an open world centered on a rogue smuggler, and received a green light to pursue it. In truth, the project was not Star Wars 1313 or the Outlaws idea players criticized long before its release. This article examines the key issues surrounding the latest Ubisoft release.
Remember Star Wars 1313?
Briefly about the development
The project brought together a team of about 600 people across 11 Ubisoft studios, including Massive Entertainment. The creative director was Julian Gerighty, who previously worked on other large titles. Narrative director Navid Khavari joined later, bringing experience from Tom Clancy’s The Division. Lead writer Nikki Foy, known for Watch Dogs Legion and Far Cry 6 DLC work, also contributed. Lucasfilm Games provided lore and era context for Outlaws, situating it in a period between parts five and six of the film saga.
From available information, there were no clear, public signs of the internal disputes or harsh demands seen in some other Star Wars projects. Still, the reveal generated notable player excitement and curiosity.
Raw product
Massive Entertainment unveiled the trailer and the first gameplay in June 2023 at major showcases. Players praised the world design and the ability to travel between planets without loading screens, a feature not always present in similar titles. Criticism targeted weak graphics, uneven shooting, rough performance, and comparatively basic enemy AI.
The controversy intensified with the release of the story trailer, focusing on the main character Kay Wess. Fans disliked repeating tropes about fighting the syndicate and questioned Kay’s performance, portrayed by Humberly Gonzalez.
Developers explained that Kay’s looks — including a broken nose and scars — were meant to reflect life experiences, but many players felt that point missed the mark.
Response criticism
Speaking with a major publication, creative director Julian Gerighty declined to engage with negative feedback, saying such criticism was unproductive and that dialogue should remain constructive.
While initial reactions cooled somewhat, Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy entered the conversation, suggesting that fandoms can be toxic due to gender dynamics. The remark was interpreted differently by console and PC communities, sparking debate about the relationship between the Star Wars franchise and Western gaming audiences.
Drop the content for $130 and 75k likes
In April it emerged that Ubisoft planned to sell a portion of the finished content, notably the Jabba the Hutt mission, only through the Season Pass — with the Gold Edition priced at $109 and the Ultimate Edition at $129. The decision marked a departure from the usual approach of offering only future content or cosmetic items through a Season Pass, provoking fresh backlash.
As release approached, journalists shared further gameplay details and the community uncovered additional flaws. A month before launch, IGN published 10 minutes of gameplay, drawing more than 75,000 likes.
Players criticized poor visuals, rough optimization, and weak AI behavior.
@FromTheAtticTV commented: “The game looks great, but it feels crude for something arriving in August.”
@shayshalevv added: “So we’re going to ignore frame drops and San Andreas-style explosions?”
The sentiment was clear, though it echoed a broader trend of skepticism that accompanied recent Ubisoft releases.
PR campaign
On July 22, Ubisoft chief executive Yves Guillemot announced a record-breaking marketing spend for Star Wars Outlaws. The follow-up chatter among fans and analysts intensified after that statement.
There was also growing skepticism about previews from journalists and bloggers, with Ubisoft organizing a Disneyland trip in Los Angeles to meet the development team and experience the finished build. Officially this was to foster dialogue; unofficially it appeared to be an effort to create positive impressions and memorable moments for attending outlets.
GmanLives praised the visuals and attention to detail, noting a solid combat system and a well-crafted open world. He also mentioned that the game largely felt like a traditional third-person action title with stealth elements, with the hacking minigame singled out as a pace-slowing moment.
Edition
On release day, premium PS5 owners gained access to their copies early and faced a day-one patch (1.000.002) that required a restart to install.
Have you bought the game yet?
Ubisoft offered a small consolation: a cosmetic ship item and 100 Ubisoft Store points that players could earn through progression in other titles.
As of the late August window, Star Wars Outlaws stood at a 77 on Metacritic and OpenCritic, with around 71% of critics recommending it. Reviewers generally praised the vibrant visuals, diverse planetary design, helpful companions, and the atmospheric feel of the open world. Criticisms focused on a thin plot, repetitive stealth sequences, an underdeveloped reputation system, and numerous technical issues.
What do you think about Star Wars Outlaws? If you’ve played it, share your first impressions in the comments.
Source: VG Times