In an era where open-world games often prioritize map size and endless checklists over meaningful content, Ubisoft’s upcoming Star Wars Outlaws aims to break the mold. Developed by the studio behind The Division series and the more recent Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Outlaws promises to deliver a Star Wars experience that values substance over sheer scale.
This would, no doubt, be a refreshing departure from the bloated, repetitive design that has plagued many of Ubisoft’s recent open-world offerings, particularly the Far Cry franchise.
Designing a Compelling Open-Galaxy for Star Wars Outlaws
Far Cry games have long been criticized for their formulaic approach to open-world design, with vast maps littered with cookie-cutter activities that quickly lose their luster.
Far Cry 6, the latest entry in the series, was especially guilty of this, presenting players with a sprawling Caribbean island that felt more like a lifeless playground than a living, breathing world.
With Star Wars Outlaws, Massive Entertainment is determined to avoid these pitfalls. In a recent interview with IGN, the game’s creative director Julian Gerighty emphasized the importance of quality over quantity:
So we don’t want things to be just big for big sake. We need it to be contained, always fun, always proposing different activities.
This philosophy is a marked departure from the “bigger is better” mentality that has often guided Ubisoft’s open-world design. Instead of overwhelming players with a cosmos of repetitive tasks, Outlaws aims to create a more curated, engaging experience that encourages exploration and discovery.
Game director Mathias Karlson elaborated on this approach:
It’s about calibrating size to substance. When you see something that breaks pattern, that stands out for whatever reason, and you go there and look, there’s something there to do, and that repeats frequently enough.
The quests, the bespoke content of the game, makes use of it so that it doesn’t feel like a separate experience, but it’s all one.
By focusing on quality over quantity, Massive Entertainment aims to give fans an open-world Star Wars game that feels alive, immersive, and consistently engaging — a “far cry” from the bloated, checklist-driven design that has plagued many of Ubisoft’s recent titles.
A Galaxy (Far, Far Away) of Possibilities
The trailers and gameplay footage released so far have given us intriguing glimpses of diverse locations and activities. From bustling cities to untamed wilderness, the game seems poised to offer a rich, varied galaxy. The seamless transition between on-foot, speeder, and space travel suggests a level of immersion that could set Outlaws apart from previous Star Wars games.
While the challenges are significant, Massive Entertainment seems to have a clear vision. As Steve Blank, Director of Franchise Content and Strategy at Lucasfilm, noted:
I think it’s taken this long to get an open-world Star Wars game because of how, excuse the pun, ‘Massive’ it is to build a game like this.
Based on what we’ve seen and heard so far, there’s reason to be cautiously optimistic about Star Wars Outlaws. If Massive Entertainment can deliver on their promises, fans may finally get the game they’ve been dreaming of for years.
As the game’s August 30 release draws closer, fans eagerly await the opportunity to explore the galaxy like never before. With its promise of a more focused, meaningful open-world experience, Outlaws could not only set a new standard for Star Wars games but also serve as a wake-up call for Ubisoft‘s open-world design philosophy.
What do you think about the potential of Star Wars Outlaws? Are you excited to explore the galaxy as a scoundrel, or do you remain skeptical? Let us know in the comments below!
