We’re taking a leap into hyperspace with Ubisoft’s latest reveal of Star Wars Outlaws, set to launch next year on PC. But buckle up, dear readers, because this spaceship may not be docking at your favourite platform, Steam.
Star Wars Outlaws: Unveiling a Rogue’s Tale
After a gruelling wait of nearly two years, Ubisoft and its developing buddy Massive Entertainment gave fans a much-awaited peek into their new open-world Star Wars saga at June’s Summer Game Fest. The Outlaws invites players to step into the scuffed boots of a youthful rogue, Kay Vess, orchestrating an audacious heist amidst the iron-fisted rule of the Galactic Empire.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the murky universe of “Star Wars Outlaws”, a title that, despite being a year from release, already has fans buzzing across the Internet. This month’s Ubisoft Forward 2023 livestream offered a tantalising glimpse into the exciting gameplay.
The protagonist, Kay Vess, works the system, hustling jobs for various Star Wars criminal clans, commands her loyal sidekick Nix and takes on towering Imperial spacecraft in pulse-pounding space dogfights. The Outlaws’ secondary characters have also kindled a veritable bonfire of online debate, specifically the uncanny similarity of Kay’s enigmatic accomplice Jalen to Kyle Katarn of the vintage Star Wars: Jedi Knight games. Mere coincidence or a clever Easter egg? Only time will tell.
Many are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to navigate the nefarious underbelly of the galaxy far, far away in Star Wars Outlaws. But the plot twist here is that this galactic saga might bypass the industry’s biggest digital marketplace at the launch.
Steering Clear of Steam: The Ubisoft Approach
Ubisoft’s official webpage for Star Wars Outlaws mentions a plethora of platforms such as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Ubisoft Connect, with the conspicuous absence of Steam. This has fanned the flames of speculation that the Outlaws may exclusively dock at Ubisoft’s proprietary gaming store upon release.
Initially christened as Uplay in 2012, Ubisoft Connect now serves as the publishing giant’s personal portal for digital game distribution, online multiplayer, and achievement management for Ubisoft titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Watch Dogs. Despite enduring its fair share of criticism, Ubisoft Connect provides a slew of perks like cross-platform support. Recent leaks hint at a possible makeover to mirror the Epic Games Store.
While Epic exclusives like Fortnite are the exception, it is a rather rare phenomenon for a PC video game release to shun Steam entirely. Yet it appears Star Wars Outlaws might be charting that audacious course. While it could simply be an oversight or a possible future addition to Steam, as it stands, Valve’s flagship PC game distribution platform might miss out on this next triple-A Star Wars title.
Related: Is a New Game Plus available in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor?
Star Wars Outlaws is set to storm the market in 2024 for Windows PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source – Ubisoft
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Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.