Ubisoft CEO: Star Wars Outlaws Underperformed Due to Brand Woes

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has attributed the underwhelming performance of Star Wars Outlaws to the "choppy waters" currently facing the sci-fi saga's fan community.

Speaking to shareholders in a recent Q&A, Guillemot did not address the game’s technical issues, bugs, or criticism of repetitive gameplay, instead stating: "Outlaws launched during a period when the brand itself was navigating some turbulence."

It's true that the Star Wars brand has faced challenges lately, including mixed reactions to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and lower-than-expected viewership for Disney+ series such as The Book of Boba Fett and The Acolyte. However, attributing Outlaws’ mixed reception solely to broader fan sentiment has struck some as an oversimplification.

Notably, Guillemot did not mention the game's own technical shortcomings at launch. IGN’s Star Wars Outlaws review—which scored the game a "Good" 7/10—pointed out repetitive combat and "a few too many bugs at launch."

Additionally, the game was embroiled in controversy before its release, after Ubisoft was accused of "pushing an agenda," sparking polarized reactions toward both the developer and the title.

In May, Star Wars Outlaws received its first story expansion with the "A Pirate’s Fortune" DLC on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. This update lets players team up with Hondo Ohnaka, leader of the Ohnaka Gang. Familiar to fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the 2017 comic series Star Wars: Darth Maul, Hondo has also appeared as an animatronic character at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. In this expansion, he becomes an ally to protagonist Kay as she confronts Stinger Tash and the Rokana Raiders, explores a mysterious tomb, and carries out smuggling missions for the Miyuki Trade League.

Star Wars Outlaws is scheduled to launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 4.