A million copies! Sounds impressive, right? Well, not exactly. While Ubisoft’s latest entry into the ever-expanding galaxy of Star Wars games, Star Wars Outlaws, has reportedly sold over one million copies in its first month, there’s a bit more to the story than just the numbers. As we dive into it, you’ll see why that million is perhaps a little… underwhelming, especially by triple-A game standards.
Let’s talk about what’s going on here, why this number isn’t as huge as it seems, and what this could mean for Ubisoft and the Star Wars gaming franchise. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ll keep things fun and neutral, so grab your lightsaber—or popcorn—and let’s jump into hyperspace!
One Million Copies in a Month – But Is That Really Impressive?
Okay, one million copies sold in a month is nothing to sneeze at. After all, it’s still a million, right? But compared to other 2024 blockbuster releases, Star Wars Outlaws might as well be Jar Jar Binks at a Jedi Council meeting. The figure was revealed by Insider Gaming, which claims this sales number comes from “sources close to the game.” That’s right; this is all “insider” info because Ubisoft has yet to officially confirm anything.
But here’s the kicker: in the world of gaming—especially for a major release like this—one million copies in a month is a bit like showing up to a podrace with a tricycle. Other games this year? They’ve been breaking records at light speed. Take Tekken 8 for example. It sold the same amount of copies as Outlaws… in a single day! And then it doubled that to two million in just 30 days. Ouch.
And let’s not forget Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, which hit the two-million-copy mark in mere days. Oh, and if you really want to feel the burn, Chinese-developed action RPG Black Myth: Wukong sold 10 million copies in three days. That’s a record even Han Solo would be proud of.
So, while one million sounds like a big number, Star Wars Outlaws is, well, underperforming when compared to its peers.
Is Ubisoft Facing a Galactic-Sized Problem?
Now, it’s important to remember that this isn’t just about Star Wars Outlaws not living up to its full potential. Ubisoft as a whole has had better days in terms of sales. Compared to some of their previous titles, Outlaws is lagging behind in the sales race. Take Assassin’s Creed Mirage for instance. That game hit five million copies in just three months, which shows that Ubisoft is capable of far bigger success.
And how about Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora? You might not have even heard much about this one yet, but it already racked up 1.9 million players in just a few weeks. Compared to Outlaws, it’s clear that Ubisoft has some heavy hitters in its arsenal—just not this one, apparently.
What Went Wrong in the Outer Rim?
So, what’s causing Star Wars Outlaws to feel more like a rogue smuggler than a Jedi knight in sales? Let’s break it down:
1. Middling Reviews: The Force is Weak with This One
The feedback has been… well, mixed, to say the least. While many fans were thrilled to explore the underworld of the Star Wars universe, the excitement fizzled out for some. One reviewer (no names, but let’s just say they know their stuff) gave it a “meh” 6.5 out of 10. Why? Well, the stealth mechanics felt a bit clunky, and the game’s crime syndicates lacked the depth that could have made it more engaging. When you combine these critiques with similar feedback from other players, it’s no surprise the game’s struggling to pick up sales momentum.
Massive Entertainment, the developer behind Outlaws, is reportedly taking note and making changes, especially in the stealth sections. But for now, it seems like the game’s appeal is stuck somewhere between A New Hope and The Phantom Menace.
2. Competition from Other Triple-A Titles: An Unwinnable Galactic Battle?
With other major games dropping in 2024, Outlaws might have just gotten lost in the shuffle. I mean, how do you compete with Black Myth: Wukong’s jaw-dropping sales or the Warhammer 40,000 fan base, which seems to gobble up any new release like it’s blue milk? Outlaws might have been overshadowed, and let’s face it—there’s only so much money a gamer can throw at the screen in any given month.
3. A Galaxy Far, Far Behind Expectations
There were high hopes for Star Wars Outlaws. I mean, c’mon, it’s Star Wars—people will show up just for the lightsabers, right? Well, apparently not. Expectations for a major Star Wars game are sky-high, and this one just didn’t hit the mark. With fans looking for something epic, the game’s relatively short campaign and hit-or-miss mechanics didn’t quite deliver the experience they were hoping for.
What’s Next for Ubisoft and Star Wars Outlaws?
So, where does Star Wars Outlaws go from here? The game will get another shot at redemption when it launches on Steam in November. Maybe PC players will give it a second wind, but that’s not guaranteed in the unpredictable gaming universe. To keep things exciting, Ubisoft has also planned to release additional story packs, stretching from this fall into next spring. So, if you’re one of the one million players who bought the game, there’s still hope for more content on the horizon.
Also, it looks like Ubisoft is taking the lessons from Outlaws to heart. In fact, they’ve already delayed their next big release, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, to February 2025 to make sure they “get it right.” It seems like they don’t want to repeat any potential mistakes from Outlaws—and honestly, who could blame them?
Final Thoughts: A Lesson for the Future?
Star Wars Outlaws might not have been the sales juggernaut Ubisoft was hoping for, but the story isn’t over yet. The game still has plenty of content coming, and we know the Star Wars fan base is a loyal bunch. Maybe with a few updates and some fresh content, it’ll find its place in the gaming galaxy. Until then, it’s just another reminder that even with a beloved franchise like Star Wars, success in gaming is never guaranteed.
So, will Outlaws redeem itself, or is it doomed to float adrift like debris in the cold, uncaring void of space? Only time will tell. May the sales be with them!
