Ubisoft’s Half-Year Report: What Happened With Star Wars Outlaws Sales?

If you’re keeping up with Ubisoft’s recent half-year report, you already know: things have been a bit rocky. While the gaming world was expecting Star Wars Outlaws to be a massive hit with its Star Wars branding, epic open-world gameplay, and shiny marketing, it fell a bit short. Yes, even with the Star Wars name. Ubisoft’s latest release wasn’t the blockbuster the company was counting on, and this miss has led to some big changes and strategy shifts. So let’s dive into what went down, why it happened, and what Ubisoft is doing to turn things around.

The Half-Year Report: A Glimpse Into Ubisoft’s Challenges

Ubisoft’s financial report for the first half of 2024-2025 painted a clear picture: revenue and net bookings didn’t hit their marks, mainly because of lower-than-expected sales of Star Wars Outlaws and some other missteps. The anticipated blockbuster didn’t sell like hotcakes, which for a brand-new AAA release from a powerhouse franchise like Star Wars, was a bit surprising.

Notably, the underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws led to a few significant adjustments for Ubisoft, starting with delaying the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows—a new title that was also highly anticipated. But Ubisoft isn’t packing it up yet; instead, they’re making changes, listening to players, and preparing for an eventual comeback. And yes, they’re also throwing a little surprise our way—more on that below.

Why Didn’t Star Wars Outlaws Fly Off the Shelves?

So what went wrong? There was a lot of excitement around Outlaws, but sales didn’t live up to the hype. Ubisoft probably envisioned its Star Wars game competing with other blockbuster titles like Elden Ring or Black Myth: Wukong, but early sales estimates only hit around one million copies in the first month. For context, Ubisoft wanted something closer to the 5-10 million range seen with other AAA games​.​

One possible explanation could be the quality at launch. Though Outlaws scored reasonably well on platforms like Metacritic, averaging 76/100, the game has been plagued by minor bugs and gameplay mechanics that didn’t quite live up to player expectations. From AI hiccups to combat mechanics that just weren’t as smooth as expected, players were vocal about the issues they encountered. Ubisoft listened—and responded with promises of major updates to address these concerns.

This commitment to continuous improvement is part of Ubisoft’s “player-centric” focus. The company is making substantial gameplay adjustments, and a massive update set to drop in November will introduce more bug fixes, gameplay polish, and even a Steam release, broadening Outlaws’ reach just in time for the holiday season.

Changes and Strategy Shifts: Assassin’s Creed Delay and the Steam Move

The unexpected sales dip wasn’t without consequences. Ubisoft, after learning from the release of Outlaws, opted to delay Assassin’s Creed Shadows, initially slated for 2024, to early 2025. The delay will allow developers to make sure it’s fully polished before release. Interestingly, this decision also marks Ubisoft’s shift back to a familiar distribution channel: Steam. Yes, after years away, Ubisoft is putting Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws back on Steam, broadening availability and hopefully boosting future sales.

Ubisoft’s shift back to Steam could be a smart move; the platform has a massive player base that Ubisoft can’t ignore if it wants to reach more gamers. So, not only does Ubisoft hope to make Outlaws a holiday hit, but they’re also setting Assassin’s Creed Shadows up for success with this extra time and distribution strategy​.

How Star Wars Outlaws Plans to Win Players Back

Ubisoft is determined to make Outlaws a long-term success. One major update will address some of the most common complaints: NPC AI, combat, stealth mechanics, and overall polish. And for those already committed to Outlaws, here’s some news: Ubisoft is adding a new story pack called Wild Card, featuring none other than fan-favorite Lando Calrissian. This story expansion, slated for November 21, aims to attract Star Wars fans while addressing initial gameplay issues and creating an enhanced gaming experience.

Now, here’s an interesting twist: the game community isn’t just focusing on gameplay improvements; modders have also been exploring the game in unexpected ways. If you’re curious, check out the “Star Wars Outlaws – Nude Kay Vess Mod“—it’s made some waves online, offering players another unique way to experience the game.

Looking Forward: What’s Next for Ubisoft?

Ubisoft is refocusing its core strategy to concentrate on two key gaming segments: Open World Adventures (like Assassin’s Creed) and Games-as-a-Service (GaaS) titles. These segments provide the potential for recurring revenue and increased player engagement, helping Ubisoft build a stronger base of loyal users. This realignment also coincides with the company’s ongoing cost-reduction strategy, with recent reductions in headcount and operational spending​.

Additionally, Ubisoft’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, has spoken openly about the challenges Ubisoft faces, particularly with the “polarized comments” from the community. This candid acknowledgment seems to indicate a new era for the company, where they’re genuinely listening to player feedback and implementing changes based on user experiences. While the softer-than-expected launch of Outlaws was a learning experience, Ubisoft appears determined to bounce back.

Conclusion: Lessons From Outlaws’ Launch

Star Wars Outlaws may not have had the explosive launch Ubisoft wanted, but there’s a lot to be learned from it. The game’s sales led Ubisoft to rethink its distribution strategy, refocus on player-centric adjustments, and aim for a strong performance during the holiday season. While Outlaws wasn’t a mega-hit at launch, it’s clear Ubisoft is working to fix things, and the adjustments it’s making could very well turn it into a long-term performer.

As Ubisoft enters the latter half of 2024-25, we’re watching for further developments, especially with Assassin’s Creed Shadows just a few months away. This delay, coupled with Ubisoft’s renewed Steam strategy, suggests the company is learning from its stumbles with Outlaws and setting itself up for a more polished approach going forward.

So, what do you think? Will Ubisoft’s updated strategy help Outlaws become a sleeper hit? Or is this just a short-term fix for deeper issues? Keep an eye out as we watch how this strategy unfolds through the holiday season and into the new year.