Following its announcement and subsequent gameplay reveal last June, the Star Wars Outlaws game sparked cautious enthusiasm among fans. Touted as the inaugural open-world Star Wars experience, Outlaws promises extensive planetary exploration, smooth transitions between terrestrial and space environments, and the intense action expected in the Galactic Empire era. The latest trailer further accentuated the game's potential.
Recently, Ubisoft unveiled a story trailer for Star Wars Outlaws, shedding light on the protagonist, Kay Vess, and her ambitious heist. This preview heightened fans' anticipation, hinting at a long-awaited criminal underworld narrative within the Star Wars universe. However, amidst the excitement, the trailer stirred controversy, raising a valid point of contention.
Delving into Star Wars Outlaws' Controversial Aspects
Expensive Special Editions of Star Wars Outlaws
Towards the end of Star Wars Outlaws' story trailer, Ubisoft introduced three distinct game editions. The standard version, priced at $70, set the entry point. Following last year's Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Ubisoft standardized AAA game pricing at $70. While this adjustment wasn't unexpected, it remains a bitter pill for many gamers unprepared for the industry-wide price hike.
The Gold Edition of Star Wars Outlaws stands at a hefty $110, $40 above the standard edition, solely due to the included Season Pass. Though the pass's contents remain undisclosed, it promises two story pack DLCs and exclusive Kessel Runner cosmetic items for Kay and her companion Nix, allowing players to resemble Han Solo and Chewbacca.
For a staggering $130, fans can access the Ultimate Edition, a digital-only package encompassing all aforementioned content, a digital art book, two additional cosmetic packs inspired by iconic Star Wars characters, and a three-day early game access. While such special editions are common in the gaming realm, Star Wars Outlaws sets a negative precedent by locking day-one content behind a paywall.
The Stir Caused by Star Wars Outlaws' Season Pass
The primary outcry regarding Star Wars Outlaws' diverse editions - beyond their high prices - revolves around the exclusive day-one mission provided only in the pricier versions. As part of the game's Season Pass, players gain immediate access to the "Jabba's Gambit" mission on launch day, barring standard edition buyers from the initial content.
Criticism of locking content behind a paywall at launch extends further due to Star Wars Outlaws being a single-player experience. Not only are Season Passes disapproved for such games, but announcing one pre-release hints that the included content should have been part of the base game, without additional charges.