Summary
- Star Wars Outlaws is being outsold by 2023's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
- Ubisoft’s stocks dropped sharply following the launch of Star Wars Outlaws in August 2024.
- Players dislike the game's combat and stealth mechanics.
In more disappointing news for Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft's ambitious open-world title is reportedly being outsold by the 2023 release, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Despite receiving largely positive early reviews upon its August 2024 launch, player feedback has been less enthusiastic, particularly regarding the game's combat and stealth mechanics. Ubisoft has attempted to address these concerns with subsequent updates, but these efforts have failed to win over initial detractors.
The disappointing reception has translated into weaker-than-expected sales figures for Star Wars Outlaws, the first truly open-world game set in the Star Wars universe. Ubisoft acknowledged in September that the game did not meet its sales targets. The company's stocks experienced a sharp decline shortly after the game's release on August 27, 2024, intensifying concerns about Ubisoft's financial health and sparking discussions about potentially taking the company private. Despite these challenges, both Ubisoft and developer Massive Entertainment remain hopeful that the game can recover with the support of planned post-launch DLC.
Adding to the concerns, a recent report by VGC and former GamesIndustry.biz journalist Christopher Dring revealed that not only is Star Wars Outlaws underperforming, but it is also being outsold by Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Respawn Entertainment's sequel to the successful Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has managed to outsell Star Wars Outlaws, though specific sales figures have not been disclosed. In Europe, Star Wars Outlaws ranked as the 47th best-selling video game of 2024.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is Outselling Star Wars Outlaws
Several factors may explain why Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is outperforming Star Wars Outlaws. As a sequel to the well-received Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor benefited from an established fanbase and received critical acclaim upon its April 2023 release. Additionally, EA and Respawn Entertainment bolstered interest in the game with a PS4 and Xbox One update released last year, reigniting enthusiasm for protagonist Cal Kestis's journey.
In contrast, Star Wars Outlaws has struggled to capture a significant audience, despite ongoing efforts from Massive Entertainment to improve the game with updates and story DLC. The first expansion, Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card, launched in November and featured Kay Vess teaming up with Lando Calrissian. A second storyline DLC, Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate’s Fortune, is slated for a Spring 2025 release and will include the return of the beloved character Hondo Ohnaka from Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
