"Star Wars Outlaws Faces Further Sales Decline"

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 a disappointing turn of events for Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft's ambitious open-world game is reportedly being outsold by the 2023 release, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Despite receiving largely positive early reviews upon its launch in August 2024, Star Wars Outlaws has faced significant backlash from players, particularly regarding its combat and stealth mechanics. Ubisoft has attempted to address these concerns through subsequent updates, but these efforts have not been enough to win over initial detractors.

The underwhelming reception has translated into disappointing sales figures for what was intended to be the first truly open-world Star Wars title. In September, Ubisoft acknowledged that Star Wars Outlaws had not met its sales targets. The game's launch on August 27, 2024, was followed by a sharp decline in Ubisoft's stock prices, heightening concerns about the company's financial health and sparking discussions about potential privatization. Despite these setbacks, Ubisoft and developer Massive Entertainment remain hopeful that the game can recover, buoyed by their plans for post-launch DLC.

A recent report by VGC and former GamesIndustry.biz journalist Christopher Dring further dampened these hopes, revealing that not only is Star Wars Outlaws underperforming, but it is also being outsold by Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Respawn Entertainment's action-packed sequel has managed to sell more copies, though specific numbers have not been disclosed. In Europe, Star Wars Outlaws ranked as the 47th best-selling video game of 2024, underscoring its struggles in the market.

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 successful Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor benefited from an established fanbase and received glowing reviews upon its release in April 2023. Moreover, EA and Respawn's strategic release of an update for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on PS4 and Xbox One last year helped reignite interest in Cal Kestis's latest adventure.

In contrast, Star Wars Outlaws has struggled to capture a broad audience, despite ongoing efforts by Massive Entertainment to improve the game through updates and the release of story-driven DLC. The first expansion, Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card, launched in November and featured Kay Vess teaming up with Lando Calrissian. The upcoming second DLC, Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate’s Fortune, slated for release in Spring 2025, will introduce the beloved character Hondo Ohnaka from Star Wars: The Clone Wars. These additions aim to enhance the game's appeal, but it remains to be seen whether they will be enough to turn the tide for Star Wars Outlaws.