Star Wars Outlaws: The Patch Predicament – Should You Delete Your Save?

gingetattoo Star Wars: Outlaws

In the galaxy far, far away of gaming, Star Wars Outlaws has recently launched, bringing players into an expansive world of spacefaring adventure. However, some early adopters of the game have found themselves in a bit of a pickle. Ubisoft, the game’s publisher, has recommended that players delete their existing save files and start anew, but only after installing the day-one patch. Let’s break down what’s going on here, why Ubisoft is making this unusual suggestion, and what it means for the players. And don’t worry—this isn’t a rant; it’s more of a puzzled chuckle at the quirks of modern gaming.

If you’re on the fence whether to get the game, go check out our review here.

Check out our ever-growing list of gaming guides for Star Wars: Outlaws:

The Day-One Patch: A Galactic Necessity

We’ve all been there: you’re excited about a new game, you’ve pre-ordered it, or maybe you’re even one of the lucky ones who got early access. You boot up the game, the opening cinematic is epic, the controls feel right, and then—bam! A day-one patch drops. In the case of Star Wars Outlaws, this patch isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s apparently crucial to the game running properly.

But here’s where things get tricky. Ubisoft has informed players that if they’ve already started the game before installing the patch, they might run into issues that could impact their gameplay experience. To avoid this, they’re advising players to delete their save files and start over after the patch is installed. This isn’t the kind of advice that most players want to hear, especially those who might have already invested several hours into the game.

Why Is Ubisoft Suggesting This?

Now, you might be wondering why Ubisoft is suggesting something so drastic. The reason boils down to how game development works nowadays. With games becoming increasingly complex, it’s almost impossible to squash every bug before release. Developers often rely on patches to fix these issues after the game has gone gold (meaning it’s been finalized for physical production).

The day-one patch for Star Wars Outlaws likely contains critical updates that address bugs or stability issues that were discovered after the game was already sent off for distribution. By starting the game without the patch, players might be triggering bugs or experiencing problems that the patch was meant to fix. As frustrating as it is, starting fresh ensures that the game runs as smoothly as possible.

The Early Access Conundrum

For those who bought the Gold and Ultimate editions of Star Wars Outlaws, you’re enjoying the perks of early access, with a three-day head start on the rest of the galaxy. But this early access comes with a small caveat: Ubisoft really wants you to update the game to version 1.000.002, the day-one patch, as soon as possible. In fact, they’re so serious about it that they’ve even sent out emails to PS5 owners reminding them to install this patch.

Ubisoft has explained that the patch is necessary to ensure the best experience in the Outer Rim. If you haven’t updated, you might be running into issues—glitches, bugs, or worse, progression blockers—that could ruin your adventure. The solution? Update to the latest version, then start a new save file to enjoy the game as intended. Yes, this means any progress made before the patch might need to be sacrificed to the void of the galaxy.

The Player’s Dilemma: To Delete or Not to Delete?

So, what’s a gamer to do? If you’ve already dived into the Star Wars universe and are hesitant to hit the delete button, you’re not alone. The idea of erasing your progress can feel like wiping the memory of a trusted droid—it’s not something to be taken lightly. However, if you’re experiencing any glitches or oddities in the game, it might be worth considering Ubisoft’s advice. After all, nobody wants to be halfway through a mission only to have the game crash or a crucial NPC vanish into thin air.

If you haven’t started playing yet, this is your cue to hold off on your galactic journey until the patch is safely installed. It’s like making sure your ship is fueled and prepped before launching into hyperspace—you’ll thank yourself later.

But Is This the New Normal?

This situation with Star Wars Outlaws isn’t unique in the gaming world. Day-one patches have become a staple of modern game releases, and while they often improve the experience, they also highlight a growing trend of releasing games that aren’t entirely polished. It’s a bit like buying a new speeder that needs a few tweaks before it runs smoothly—frustrating, but increasingly common.

As games become more complex and the pressure to meet release dates grows, developers are often forced to use patches as a way to finalize the product. While this allows for continued improvement post-launch, it also means that early adopters can sometimes feel like beta testers. The experience can be especially jarring when it involves deleting your save data—essentially hitting the reset button on your adventure.

Looking Ahead: Lessons for Future Outlaws

For future releases, it might be worth considering waiting a few days after launch to let patches roll out and to see if there are any major issues reported by the community. While it’s tempting to dive in on day one, a little patience can save you from potential headaches—and lost progress.

In the meantime, if you’re facing the decision to delete your save in Star Wars Outlaws, remember that you’re not alone in your frustration. The gaming community is rallying together, sharing tips, and commiserating over the quirks of this new galactic frontier. And who knows? Maybe in a few years, we’ll look back on these day-one patches as a relic of the past—a lesson learned in the ongoing evolution of gaming.

So, before you head back into the galaxy, make sure your game is patched, your save file is fresh, and your sense of humor is intact. After all, even the most seasoned outlaws need to laugh at the absurdities of their adventures every now and then.

May the Force (and the patches) be with you!

If you’re on the fence whether to get the game, go check out our review here.

Check out our ever-growing list of gaming guides for Star Wars: Outlaws: