Star Wars Outlaws: Ubisoft’s CEO Has a Wild Theory About Why the Game Flopped
Although Star Wars Outlaws didn’t achieve the commercial success Ubisoft had hoped for, the company has been trying to explain the reasons behind the disappointment. A recent comment from CEO Yves Guillemot, however, left many fans stunned — and sparked a backlash in the gaming community.
During the latest shareholder meeting, Ubisoft’s CEO addressed the lukewarm commercial performance of Star Wars Outlaws. Despite high expectations, the game fell short of the publisher’s sales targets. And according to Guillemot, the issue may actually lie… with the Star Wars brand itself.
Image credit: Ubisoft
A launch that left a bitter aftertaste
Released in August 2024, Star Wars Outlaws promised a fresh adventure in a galaxy far, far away. Yet just one month after release, the game had only reached one million players — a number far below Ubisoft’s ambitions. For such a powerful franchise, this result came as a surprise, especially considering the eager anticipation surrounding the game.
Asked about the reasons behind the game’s lackluster debut, Yves Guillemot put forward a rather unexpected theory: he suggested that the Star Wars brand was going through a rough patch at the time of launch. He also acknowledged that the game lacked polish on release, despite subsequent patches aimed at improving the experience.
Criticism quickly followed
The CEO’s justification was quickly met with criticism from the community. How can one claim that the Star Wars license is losing momentum when Battlefront II is enjoying a major resurgence on online platforms? Not to mention the ongoing success of the expanded universe, including Disney+ series and several much-anticipated game announcements. For many, the real causes of failure lie elsewhere:
- Persistent bugs that marred the experience from day one.
- A lack of truly compelling content to keep players engaged long-term.
- A crowded release window, competing with several other major AAA titles.
An uncertain future — but not without hope
Ubisoft hopes to turn things around with optimized versions of the game coming to next-gen consoles, including the Switch 2. The publisher promises a more refined and modernized experience. But will that be enough to breathe new life into the game?
In the meantime, players can revisit the title at no cost: the game is now available for free on PS5, PC, and Xbox.
The franchise’s next big move may be turn-based
Proof that the Star Wars brand is far from fading, EA and Lucasfilm recently unveiled Star Wars: Zero Company, a turn-based strategy game developed by Respawn and Bit Reactor. Scheduled for a 2026 release, the game puts players in command of a ragtag squad during the Clone Wars: a fallen Republic officer, a Padawan, a clone veteran, a smuggler, a droid — and even a Mandalorian. Each mission will involve tough choices, with every squad member carrying their own motives and inner conflicts.
With an art direction inspired by the Andor series, deep customization options, optional permadeath, and a vast galactic holomap for planning missions, the game channels the best of the XCOM era. The action takes place in “The Den” — a base previously seen in Rogue One — and promises an intense strategic journey across iconic planets like Vandor and Anaxes. In short, a fresh tactical wind is blowing through the galaxy, giving hope to fans concerned about the franchise’s future.
