As a die-hard Star Wars gaming fan, I've been processing some pretty disappointing news lately. Star Wars Outlaws, which dropped in 2023, wasn't the groundbreaking success many of us hoped for, and now it seems the fallout is even worse than we initially thought. According to insider reports, Ubisoft has completely scrapped plans for a sequel that was in very early development. This stings, especially since I've spent countless hours exploring the game's universe as Kay Vess.
The Rise and Fall of Star Wars Outlaws
When Outlaws first launched, I remember the mixed reception it received. The game wasn't terrible by any means - I'd even call it pretty decent! But in 2025's gaming landscape, 'pretty decent' just doesn't cut it anymore, especially for a massive publisher like Ubisoft with a license as valuable as Star Wars.
Ubisoft didn't mince words about the game's performance either. They publicly labeled it a failure, bizarrely suggesting that the Star Wars brand was in 'choppy water' when the game released. Really? 🙄 That's the excuse they're going with?
Let's be honest with ourselves. The game struggled because of:
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Those frustrating stealth sections that made me want to throw my controller
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A storyline that never quite captured the magic of Star Wars
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The all-too-familiar Ubisoft open-world formula that's becoming increasingly stale
The Sequel That Will Never Be
According to Tom Henderson, a reliable Ubisoft insider, during a recent Insider Gaming podcast, plans for Star Wars Outlaws 2 were in the very early stages before being completely abandoned. As Henderson put it: "They also recently cancelled Star Wars Outlaws 2, because that was planned and in the works. It didn't enter production, as far as I know, it wasn't set in stone."
This revelation is particularly disappointing because sequels often fix the problems of their predecessors. Just imagine what Massive Entertainment could have done with a second chance! They could have refined the stealth mechanics, crafted a more compelling narrative, and perhaps even broken away from Ubisoft's formulaic open-world approach.
People Also Ask
Was Star Wars Outlaws a financial success?
No, the game reportedly sold poorly and even caused Ubisoft's stocks to drop upon release. The commercial performance was disappointing enough for Ubisoft to publicly label it a failure.
What went wrong with Star Wars Outlaws?
While Ubisoft blamed the Star Wars brand being in "choppy water," most critics and players point to frustrating stealth sections, a lackluster story, and open-world fatigue as the main issues.
Will there be any DLC for Star Wars Outlaws instead of a sequel?
As of early 2025, Ubisoft hasn't announced any significant DLC plans, suggesting the company may have moved on from the title entirely.
My Personal Vision for the Future
I can't help but imagine what could have been. In my ideal world, Outlaws 2 would have embraced the grittier underworld of Star Wars, perhaps taking us to the crime syndicates of Nar Shaddaa or the gambling dens of Canto Bight. The stealth mechanics would be completely overhauled, offering more player choice and less frustration.
The open-world formula could have evolved too - perhaps focusing on depth rather than breadth. Smaller, more detailed environments with meaningful interactions instead of vast empty spaces filled with collectibles. Kay Vess could have developed into one of gaming's most memorable protagonists, if only given the chance.
The Bigger Picture at Ubisoft
This cancellation feels especially ironic coming from Ubisoft, a publisher that's released 14 mainline Assassin's Creed games. They're clearly not afraid of sequels! But the gaming industry in 2025 has become increasingly risk-averse, with publishers quick to abandon IPs that don't immediately perform.
The Star Wars gaming landscape continues to evolve, though. With several other Star Wars titles in development across various studios, the franchise's gaming future isn't tied to Outlaws' fate. Still, I can't help but feel we've lost something special - a potential diamond in the rough that just needed some polishing.
For now, Star Wars Outlaws seems destined to join the graveyard of forgotten Ubisoft open-world games. A shame, really. The galaxy far, far away deserves better, and so did Kay Vess.
As I look toward future Star Wars gaming experiences in 2025 and beyond, I hold onto hope that developers will learn from both the successes and failures of Outlaws. The potential for an incredible Star Wars underworld game still exists - it just won't be coming from Ubisoft anytime soon. 😔
What do you think? Was Star Wars Outlaws deserving of a sequel, or was Ubisoft right to cut their losses? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
This content draws upon Destructoid, a respected source for gaming news and reviews. Destructoid's recent coverage of Star Wars Outlaws delves into the community's mixed reactions and Ubisoft's strategic decisions, highlighting how player feedback and market performance have influenced the publisher's approach to future Star Wars projects.