News

There was some debate raised over Star Wars Outlaws' claim that it was the franchise's first open-world game but speaking to Screen Rant, Wilbert Roget, the game's composer, thinks the comparison to other titles doesn't make sense. The video game industry has long struggled with the idea of genre, with some experiences overlapping across multiple styles and tropes. "Open-world" has become more of a mechanical description than any kind of had-and-fast genre, but that hasn't stopped some fans from bringing up Star Wars: The Old Republic, which also featured an expansive world for players to explore.

Speaking to Screen Rant, Roget explained that Outlaws and The Old Republic are fundamentally different games that take a different approach to open-world design:

"I don't really understand exactly where that criticism is coming from. Obviously, the team at BioWare EA did such an incredible job with The Old Republic, so I'm sure that...

Massive Entertainment’s Star Wars Outlaws, the first open-world Star Wars video game, debuted on August 27th. The game was supposed to be a smash-hit for Ubisoft, a milestone heralding a turnaround in the company’s future. But on the revenue front, at least, it has failed to achieve this.

Star Wars Outlaws has proven to be costly for Ubisoft. (Image via Massive Entertainment)

Even though Outlaws has been received well by gamers and critics alike, the sales have not hit the mark. Ubisoft’s share price has dipped following the title’s release to its lowest mark since 2014, and now shareholders have issued an open letter demanding action.

Investors Demand Action After Star Wars Outlaws Fails

For starters, at the time of writing, Ubisoft’s share price currently sits at $13.67, having dropped by another 3.11% over the day. That means the company’s overall price has now dipped more than 50% in the last year,...

Star Wars Outlaws has been a part of plenty of conversations after the recent gameplay demos, and fans are once again comparing it to other games, and this time it’s the second of Ubisoft’s big upcoming titles for this year, Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Gamers are already getting hyped and have started comparing these games, even though they are pretty different in style and gameplay. It’s sparked a lot of discussions online, especially on Reddit, about which game might come out on top.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows vs. Star Wars Outlaws

One Reddit poster kicked things off by questioning if Assassin’s Creed Shadows would be better than Star Wars Outlaws. This simple query opened the floodgates for fans to voice their opinions. Some users felt it was an unfair comparison, pointing out that these games belong to different genres. They suggested that Shadows should be compared to other Assassin’s Creed titles,...

Ubisoft has made players wait quite a long while for Star Wars Outlaws but the game is finally set to launch later next month. The developer seems to be leaving no stones unturned to bring every gamer’s attention to the title.

Star Wars is a massive IP and the developer has invested a lot of money in the marketing of the game. Ubisoft’s CEO said that the game has the biggest marketing ever from the company but fans are questioning its worth.

Star Wars Outlaws Has the Biggest Marketing Budget Ever for a Ubisoft Game

Star Wars Outlaws is being seen as a game that will take the IP to new heights. This is also the first Star Wars game from the Assassin’s Creed publisher, it wants to do justice to the game and the audience.

Suggested“I think people will love it”: Ubisoft’s Official Response...

Street Outlaws, a Discovery Channel reality show about street racers in Oklahoma, premiered in 2013 and lasted for 15 seasons. Tyler "Flip" Priddy, a key member in season one, tragically passed away in 2013, sparking speculation about his death. Flip passed away in his home at the age of 31. The cause of death is unknown, and family and friends have asked for privacy.

When Flip from Street Outlaws died, it marked a tragic day in the history of the Discovery Channel reality show. Street Outlaws premiered in June 2013 and lasted for 15 seasons before ending. However, the series also led to several spinoffs, some of which are ongoing. Street Outlaws: Fastest in America, Street Outlaws: Team Attack, Street Outlaws: Endgame, Street Outlaws: New Orleans, and more. The original show follows a group of street racers in Oklahoma who tune up their cars and race each other in illegal street events.

Of course, like many "real" Discovery Channel reality shows,...

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 Less repetitiveness, greater immersion. | Image Credit: Massive Entertainment

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...

As fans eagerly wait for the arrival of Star Wars Outlaws, many simply won’t give in to the hype. The reasons are the bigger concern, as there’s no evidence of something that is potentially going to be game-breaking.

A faithful gamer has pointed out how there’s nothing to be worried about here, and the community simply has a habit of complaining about things without any real reason.

Gamers Want Star Wars Outlaws to Be Unrealistically Perfect No matter how good the game looks, fans refuse to trust the hype. Image Credit: Ubisoft.

Fans of Star Wars never shy away from diving into yet another experience that takes them across the galaxy and throws them into a new adventure. The same goes for those eagerly waiting for Ubisoft’s upcoming open-world experience set in a familiar universe.

Suggested“Relatively small compared to Starfield”: Star Wars Outlaws is...

At the entrance of Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, two stormtroopers are checking credentials with blasters ready. Later, they’ll be demoted to serving coffee, but for now, the security is warranted, as developers are preparing to finally show off their new game, Star Wars Outlaws.

Filing into the padded listening room, attendees are met with an enormous screen positioned above a sprawling audio board. As the lights dim, the theatrical rumbling of the Dolby-powered bass kicks in so strongly, people’s eyeballs begin to hum.

With a bang,...

The highly anticipated upcoming game, Star Wars Outlaws, is gearing up to bring something truly special to the gaming world. It will also bring new features to the open-world genre as well.

Unlike other open-world games, Outlaws has introduced a groundbreaking and innovative way to level up. Instead of the usual skill trees and experience points, players will now earn their skills through engaging quests given by unique in-game ‘experts’.

A New Way to Level Up in Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws launches on August 30th. Image via Ubisoft.

Star Wars Outlaws breaks away from traditional game mechanics, where leveling up typically involves earning experience points and distributing them across a skill tree. Players will meet various experts scattered across the galaxy, each offering unique abilities and equipment upgrades.

Suggested“Epic fights against much larger targets”: Star Wars Outlaws Could Draw Fans In Where Squadrons Failed With Lofty...

The upcoming Star Wars Outlaws is shaking things up by taking a page from other great open-world games like Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild. These games let players choose how they want to explore and complete side quests and other optional content.

Unlike other Star Wars games that follow a strict story path, Outlaws gives you a bit more freedom. This game is set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and follows a new character, Kay Vess, a thief trying to survive in a galaxy full of crime lords and dangerous missions.

Star Wars Outlaws Is Built Around Freedom of Choice The game releases on the 30th of August.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the game’s director, Julian Gerighty, said they wanted to create a game where players feel like their choices matter. If you do a mission for one faction, it...

This month, attendees of Summer Game Fest could try out Ubisoft’s upcoming scoundrel simulator, Star Wars Outlaws. The experience of playing in an open world set in a galaxy far, far away left one gaming journalist feeling let down.

A writer for GameSpot was in attendance. While there, Ubisoft allowed journalists to play a handful of sections of the upcoming game. The impression it left was anything but positive.

According to GameSpot’s Jordan Ramée, the three main complaints about Ubisoft are that the game is too easy, unmemorable, and mediocre. I’ve been saying these things about Ubisoft games since it started recycling the same play mechanics across multiple Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry titles.

While the ease with which the writer overcame challenges in the game could be something Ubisoft implemented to keep players moving through the game, the overall mediocrity of Star Wars Outlaws is what worries me the most.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Screen Rant spoke with Star Wars Outlaws' game director Mathias Karlson and narrative director Navid Khavari at Summer Game Fest to learn more about the game. Outlaws delves into the criminal underworld of the Outer Rim, introducing new syndicates like the Ashiga Clan and navigating complex relationships. Players can expect a fresh, character-focused experience set between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, with a heavy emphasis on player agency.

Star Wars Outlaws looks to be one of the most ambitious titles in the IPs history, marking the first truly open-world title. Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the upcoming game will explore the Outer Rim through the eyes of thief Kay Vess. It will mix existing locales, characters, and lore with new creations, expanding on a rarely-explored part of the universes timeline. Screen Rant spoke...

Independence Day is here, and Deep Tracks is focusing on the most essential fourth releases from American classic rock artists! We’re counting down your favorites, as voted by you.

Deep TracksFourths for the FourthListen on the App

Listen on the App

Stream the “Fourths for the Fourth” countdown in the SiriusXM app now, and catch it on-air when it premieres on Deep Tracks (Ch. 308) on July 4 at 4pm Et.

Directions: Vote once for up to 15 of your favorite albums in the poll below before 11:59pm Et on June 16, 2024.

Can’t see the poll? Click here to vote.

Fourth releases from American classic rock artists

These are the possible album choices for this year’s “Fourths for the Fourth” countdown:

Allman Brothers Band – Brothers And Sisters

Aerosmith – Rocks

Al Kooper – New York City (You’re A Woman)

Alice Cooper – Killer

Beach Boys – Little Deuce Coupe

Big Star – In Space...

Raymond Weijland and Jmd recreate Red Hood's poignant moment of self-reflection from Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 through expert cosplay. Jason Todd's resurrection, while reversing a controversial narrative decision, has also turned him into one of the most traumatized figures in the DC Universe. The emotional journey of Jason Todd is powerfully captured in the recreated scene by the pair of talented cosplayers, highlighting one of the character's most emotionally resonant moments.

Red Hood is primarily defined by the tragic death and rebirth of Jason Todd. This has led to Jason having his share of dark moments, but one cosplayer just brought Jason's bleakest quote to life, highlighting how emotionally resonant it truly is. Upon returning to the site of his death, Jason can't help but wonder if maybe he was better off staying dead, in an iconic panel this cosplay faithfully recreates.

Cosplayer Raymond Weijland (@raymondweijland), in collaboration...

Not all Gotham villains want pure chaos - some can be redeemed, like Red Hood who joined the Bat-Family after a villainous start. The relationship between Batman and Catwoman evolved from enemies to lovers, with Selina proving herself as a valuable ally to the Bat-Family. Harley Quinn transitioned from Joker's sidekick to a Bat-Family member, while Clayface joined the team and befriended Batgirl.

Gotham City is home to some of DC's most despicable villains, with the Bat-Family constantly working to foil their schemes and return them to Arkham Aslyum. But that isn't always the answer. Sometimes, Batman realizes that certain villains can be redeemed - indeed, the Dark Knight has been known to recruit his enemies, giving them a place within the Bat-Family.

Not every villain in Gotham City is out for pure chaos and destruction. Some of them have perfectly reasonable motivations or aren't responsible for their actions.

Monday, January 8th, would’ve been David Bowie’s 77th birthday. To mark the occasion, Wilco has shared their rendition of Bowie’s 1969 hit, “Space Oddity.”

The release hails from Wilco’s 2023 performance on Mountain Stage (a public radio show distributed by NPR Music), and will be included on an upcoming compilation announced today titled Live On Mountain Stage: Outlaws and Outliers, due on April 19th via Oh Boy Records.

Presenting a wonderfully Wilco-esque take on “Space Oddity” — itself named the 43rd best song of all time by Consequence in 2012 — the band settles into an acoustic arrangement, allowing Jeff Tweedy’s vocals to masterfully convey the tune’s enduring appeal for humanity.

Speaking about the performance in a statement, the band said: “As a gratefully, if not begrudgingly, Earth-bound band, it’s always an honor and a challenge to tackle any of David Bowie’s space-soaring arrangements. Striving to reach...