In a recent revelation by N4G’s Sajjad Hussain, Ubisoft’s CEO has attributed the poor sales of Star Wars Outlaws to gamers’ "extraordinary expectations". I couldn't simply give this a side eye, now could I?
Quality Over Excuses
Ubisoft’s CEO claims that delivering solid quality is no longer enough to satisfy gamers. However, this completely overlooks a fundamental issue: the game’s quality itself. When gamers invest in a AAA title, they expect a product that meets AAA standards when it comes to technical performance and... gameplay at least. If a game falls short in these areas, you don't turn around and point the finger at the gamer. Who made the game? Who decided on the project window? Who saw what they needed to see and release the game in a form that would result in a number of complaints that made some gamers save their coin for something else? You don't do that crap, instead apologize and ensure that updates are coming.
The ambition behind Star Wars Outlaws (or SWO) is evident to an extent, but perhaps the game would have benefited from a phased release if it was too much to serve up at one time. Launching in chapters could have provided the development team more time to refine the game and ensure a cohesive experience.
This would've helped to zap the games bugs and technical issues that hinder the overall experience because more time could've gone into that based on it being a smaller segment. Nevertheless, addressing these problems in Star Wars Outlaws through updates and patches could significantly improve the game’s reception among gamers. The beginning isn't the end, but they have to be willing to do what they need to do to make a positive impact on both sides because it's not like a number of gamers don't want to play it.
Economic Factors and Hardware Requirements
Speaking of sales... It’s essential to recognize that the world doesn’t revolve around Ubisoft and its games. Various factors influence a gamer’s decision to purchase a title. Economic constraints play a significant role, especially when AAA games like Star Wars Outlaws are priced between $69.99 and $129.99. Many gamers and their families are financially strained right now and cannot afford to invest in a game that may not meet their expectations if they have the coin to make the purchase to begin with. They may be doing research... on top of research to make sure the money doesn't go to waste if they happen to have enough saved up.
Additionally, the hardware requirements for Star Wars Outlaws are another potential barrier for some PC gamers. The game demands a minimum AMD Radeon RX 5600XT (6GB) or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 (6GB) graphics card. For PC gamers, upgrading their systems to meet these specifications can be costly, further deterring potential buyers... and let's not forget about the power supply they may need to upgrade. So trust and believe it's not all about SWO, a number of gamers don't have the specs to play a number of the latest games. Developers may want to seek hardware info to know what the median specs are for PC gamers.
Accountability and Moving Forward
Again, Instead of pointing fingers at gamers, Ubisoft’s CEO should take responsibility for the game’s shortcomings. Engaging with the gaming community to gather authentic feedback could provide valuable insights for future projects as well. Gamers have witnessed the evolution of the industry and can distinguish between genuine quality and subpar offerings... while at the same time a number of us have the ability to identify those complaining just for the sake of complaining. That's not the case when it comes to Star Wars Outlaws.
Ubisoft must address the issues within Star Wars Outlaws and strive to deliver a product that meets the standards they want to be appreciated for. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is badass and got extraordinary appreciation, so... a shift in the approach to this matter needs to be made ASAP because it boils down to the games working as expected.
