Enhance Your Star Wars Outlaws Experience with a Custom Shader: A Simple Guide

Star Wars Outlaws Update 1.3.0: Better Stealth, But PS5 Players Face Screen Tearing Woes

Matt "ObiWaN" Hansen Star Wars: Outlaws

EDIT: This will be fixed today with patch V1.3.1


It’s time for another adventure in a galaxy far, far away… but this time, with a bit of turbulence on the visual front.

The third major update for Star Wars Outlaws is here, and it’s bringing a mix of excitement and frustration to the player base. Title Update 1.3.0 has rolled out with improvements to stealth mechanics, NPC AI, and stability—things that any aspiring outlaw would be happy to hear about. But if you’re playing on a PlayStation 5, you might also have noticed a new hitch in your journey: screen tearing. Yep, the immersive universe of Outlaws just got a bit more… glitchy. Let’s break down what’s new, what’s better, and what’s, well, tearing up the screen.

What’s New in Update 1.3.0?

Stealth Made Simpler (and More Forgiving)

Ever felt like sneaking around in Star Wars Outlaws was a bit too tricky? Well, Ubisoft has heard your gripes! Update 1.3.0 aims to make stealth more manageable, especially during missions like “False Flag,” where slipping past enemies used to feel like a Jedi mind trick gone wrong. Now, players can expect a bit more leeway when trying to remain undetected. So, whether you’re taking out enemies or simply sneaking through a base, you might find the shadows a little friendlier.

Smarter NPCs and Smoother Rides

NPC AI has gotten a boost as well, making your interactions with the various scoundrels, smugglers, and droids more dynamic. While this doesn’t mean your enemies will suddenly develop a complex personality, it does mean they’ll react more naturally in combat and other situations. Meanwhile, riding those speeders? It’s now a smoother experience with fewer unexpected crashes (into walls, not game crashes, mind you). It’s all part of making Outlaws feel like the polished, immersive space adventure it’s meant to be.

More Auto-Saves and Scaled “Wanted” Levels

No one likes losing progress, especially in a game where your next move could land you in a shootout with the Empire. Ubisoft has introduced more frequent auto-saves to ensure players don’t lose too much progress when things go south. Plus, your “wanted” level now scales based on how far you’ve progressed in the game. That means you won’t have to deal with a galactic manhunt if you’re just starting out—though you might still need to watch your back if you’re a seasoned space scoundrel.

The PS5 Screen Tearing Drama

While these updates sound like a win, there’s a bit of a dark side for PS5 players. After downloading Update 1.3.0, many players noticed a pesky issue: screen tearing. For those unfamiliar, screen tearing is when parts of the display become out of sync, creating a ripple effect across the screen. Imagine exploring a beautifully crafted galaxy and suddenly seeing a glitchy line cutting through the stars. Not ideal, right?

Visual Downgrade in Performance Mode

Players have reported that the screen tearing is especially noticeable in performance mode, which is designed to run the game at a higher frame rate for smoother action. This mode is typically preferred by PS5 users who want to see the game’s stunning visuals come to life without any lag. However, with this latest update, performance mode seems to be causing more harm than good, making some players feel like they’re piloting the Millennium Falcon through a field of bugs instead of asteroids.

Workarounds… for Now

Some players have tried tweaking the graphics settings, finding that favoring quality mode (which targets a stable 40fps) results in less screen tearing. But it’s a compromise, trading off those fluid movements for a more stable (yet slightly less snappy) experience. One player shared on a subreddit, “I just hope this gets fixed soon as the visuals are the only thing that game really has going for it, and having to deal with screen tearing is just getting in the way of enjoying the game overall.”

Looking Ahead: What’s Coming in November?

The good news is that Ubisoft has one more major update planned for November, coinciding with the game’s arrival on Steam on November 21. This upcoming patch is expected to dig deeper into improving combat and stealth, addressing some of the lingering player feedback. And if that’s not enough to get you back in the game, a new Lando-based story pack and free contract missions will be added—perfect for those looking to expand their smuggler repertoire just in time for Black Friday deals.

A Potential Fix on the Horizon?

With Ubisoft aware of the visual issues plaguing the PS5 version, there’s hope that the November update will also address the screen tearing. Until then, players might have to choose between top-notch graphics and a smoother ride through the stars—or just keep their fingers crossed for a quick hotfix.

The Verdict: A Galaxy of Mixed Feelings

The Star Wars Outlaws Title Update 1.3.0 is a mixed bag—like a smuggler’s cargo hold full of treasure and a few stowaway droids. The gameplay improvements, especially to stealth and NPC AI, make the experience better overall. But for PS5 players, the screen tearing issue feels like a sudden shift to the dark side, breaking the immersion of this expansive universe.

Whether you’re playing for the story, the open-world exploration, or just the thrill of being an outlaw in space, there’s plenty to appreciate in the new update—as long as you’re willing to look past a few visual hiccups. Here’s hoping that the November patch restores balance to the Force… and the screen.

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