Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws: Jabba the Hutt Mission Controversy

New requirement for Star Wars fans wanting to experience Jabba's Gambit mission in Star Wars Outlaws.
Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws: Jabba the Hutt Mission Controversy

Highlights

  • Star Wars Outlaws introduces an exclusive Jabba the Hutt mission behind a Season Pass, sparking fan controversy.
  • Ubisoft's pricing strategy for special editions of Star Wars Outlaws, priced between $109.99 and $129.99, faces criticism.
  • Players can access all extra content by opting for the Ultimate Edition through Ubisoft+ subscription at $17.99, triggering negative feedback.

Ubisoft's forthcoming game Star Wars Outlaws will feature a unique mission with Jabba the Hutt that requires a Season Pass. The announcement stirred up mixed feelings among Star Wars enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the open-world adventure set in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars Outlaws unfolds before the events of Return of the Jedi, casting players as Kay Vess, a daring rogue and robber hailing from Cantonica. Despite being a solo gaming experience, Ubisoft opted for an always-online approach for Star Wars Outlaws, offering exclusive content through a Season Pass.

This move didn't sit well with fans, and the pricing of Star Wars Outlaws special editions added fuel to the fire. To access the full spectrum of Outlaws content, players must shell out $109.99 for the Gold Edition or $129.99 for the Ultimate Edition, which includes two cosmetic packs and a digital art book. Both editions grant access to the Season Pass, unlocking Jabba's Gambit mission and two future story expansions upon release.

Star Wars Outlaws Locks Jabba's Gambit Behind Season Pass

The Season Pass details are now available on the official Star Wars Outlaws site, with the Gold and Ultimate Editions granting a 3-Day Early Access privilege. Given Jabba the Hutt's pivotal role in the game's promotion, with Ubisoft suggesting Kay Vess might either betray or collaborate with Jabba, some players may feel disappointed that the content will be gated behind the Season Pass from the start.

The full launch of Star Wars Outlaws is slated for August 27, 2024, across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. Despite past criticisms of Ubisoft's open-world formula, Star Wars Outlaws presents an opportunity for the studio to breathe fresh life into the genre. Kay Vess can explore planets in her customizable speeder and travel between worlds using the Trailblazer, a light freighter serving as her vessel and headquarters.

Notably, Ubisoft offers access to all bonus content from the Ultimate Edition of Star Wars Outlaws through a $17.99 Ubisoft+ subscription. While many Star Wars fans prefer short-term subscriptions for cost-effective access, Ubisoft's strategy with Ubisoft+ aims to familiarize players with not owning the games they play – a shift that has garnered significant backlash.