Ubisoft to Release Major Update for Star Wars Outlaws
Ubisoft has announced the “biggest update yet” for Star Wars Outlaws, set to be released later this month. This announcement comes in the first developer blog since the departure of former creative director Julian Gerighty, who is now focusing on The Division brand, including The Division 3.
In an interview with GamesRadar, Gerighty stated, “It’s been announced that I’m executive producer on The Division, so these are my last weeks [on Outlaws].” The new creative director, Drew Rechner, has since shared insights regarding the future of Star Wars Outlaws.
Rechner emphasized “three key areas in which we’re looking to improve the game” in a developer post. The first area is combat, where the team sees “a real opportunity to add more depth and excitement… further rewarding your tactics and precision.” Improvements to stealth will include enhancements in “readability and consistency of enemy detection” and providing players with choices in how to approach encounters.
The final focus from developer Massive Entertainment will be on character controls, enhancing “the reliability of cover, the responsiveness of climbing and crouching, and the consistency of the controls overall.” These adjustments are part of the Star Wars Outlaws Title Update 1.4, scheduled for release on November 21, with more specific details to be shared in the upcoming weeks.
November 21 is also significant as it marks the day Star Wars Outlaws launches on Steam, following Ubisoft’s strategy of releasing all new titles on Valve’s platform from February next year. Additionally, the game’s first story expansion, Wild Card, will be released on the same day.
The 1.4 update is part of Ubisoft’s ongoing efforts to “polish and improve the player experience,” especially after admitting earlier this year that sales had been “softer than expected.” Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot noted that the development team is “fully mobilized” to engage a larger audience during the holiday season and to position the game as a strong long-term performer.
Experts Weigh In
To gain further insights on the upcoming updates, we reached out to several gaming industry experts:
- Dr. Emily Schwartz, Game Design Scholar: “Enhancements in combat and stealth could really elevate player engagement. Strategy in gameplay can lead to longer retention rates.”
- Mark Thompson, Senior Game Developer: “Character controls are vital. If players don’t feel fluidity in controls, it can result in a negative experience.”
- Linda Khan, Video Game Analyst: “Given the current market, players expect more than just polished graphics. They want depth, and it sounds like Ubisoft is recognizing that need.”
Discussion Points
As we await the update, we invite readers to join the conversation. What improvements are you most excited about in the upcoming updates? Do you think these changes will positively impact player engagement? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Drew Rechner, Creative Director of Star Wars Outlaws
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Drew! Thanks for joining us to discuss the exciting new updates coming to Star Wars Outlaws. As the new creative director, can you tell us what motivated you to focus on enhancing the game’s combat and stealth mechanics?
Drew Rechner: Good afternoon! I’m thrilled to be here. The motivation behind enhancing combat and stealth stems from our commitment to creating a truly immersive and engaging experience for players. We believe there’s a real opportunity to add depth to combat by encouraging players to approach encounters with tactics and precision. Stealth is another area where we want to give players meaningful choices that influence how they interact with the world and enemies.
Time.news Editor: That sounds fantastic! You mentioned improving the “readability and consistency of enemy detection” in stealth mechanics. Can you elaborate on what players can expect from this adjustment?
Drew Rechner: Absolutely! We are aiming to ensure that players have a clearer understanding of how enemies detect them. By refining the visual cues and audio feedback, we hope to make it easier for players to strategize their stealth approach. The goal is to enhance the overall experience and provide multiple avenues for tackling challenges—whether they choose to sneak past enemies or engage them head-on.
Time.news Editor: Players love characters they can connect with. What improvements can players expect regarding character controls?
Drew Rechner: Character controls are crucial for player immersion. We’re focusing on making the actions—like climbing, crouching, and taking cover—more intuitive and reliable. The goal is for players to feel like their character responds fluidly to their input, which will enhance the overall gameplay experience and, ultimately, the storytelling.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a lot of thoughtful changes are on the way. With the update scheduled for release on November 21, can you give us a sneak peek at what else we might expect in Title Update 1.4?
Drew Rechner: While I can’t reveal all the details just yet, I can say that we plan to share more specifics regarding the improvements in the coming weeks. This update is significant, not only because of the enhancements but also because it marks our official launch on Steam. We’re excited to reach a broader audience and engage more players on this well-loved platform.
Time.news Editor: It certainly is an exciting time for Star Wars Outlaws! As you transition into this leadership role after Julian Gerighty, how do you plan to carry forward his vision while imprinting your own style on the game?
Drew Rechner: Julian laid a fantastic foundation for Star Wars Outlaws, and I have tremendous respect for his work. My intent is to build upon that by further fostering creativity and innovation within the development team. I aim to maintain an open line of communication and collaboration, ensuring everyone’s ideas contribute to our shared vision. The goal is always to make the game the best it can be while staying true to the essence of Star Wars.
Time.news Editor: That balance sounds crucial. Lastly, what message do you want to send to the Star Wars Outlaws community as you prepare for this update?
Drew Rechner: We want our community to know that we genuinely value their feedback and support. This update is being designed with their insights in mind. We’re committed to enhancing the gaming experience and can’t wait for players to dive back into the Star Wars universe. So, thank you for being part of this journey with us!
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Drew, for this enlightening discussion! We look forward to seeing all the updates unfold later this month.
Drew Rechner: Thank you for having me! Exciting times ahead!