Summary
Founded all the way back in 1986, Ubisoft has both developed and published hundreds of video games over the last nearly 40 years, including some of the most groundbreaking, beloved titles of all time. But while Ubisoft is still at the helm of several ofthe world’s biggest gaming franchises, the company has somewhat lost its luster in recent years. But with games likeStar Wars OutlawsandAssassin’s Creed Shadowson the horizon, the future is looking pretty bright for Ubisoft.
One of the most common criticisms of Ubisoft’s recent output is its open-world formula. SinceFar Cry 3, Ubisoft has essentially relied on the same formula for most of its open-world games, fromAssassin’s CreedtoThe DivisiontoGhost Recon, and while it still manages to shift copies just fine, it’s gotten a little stale. Naturally, some fans are a tad worried thatStar Wars OutlawsandAssassin’s Creed Shadowswill fall into a similar formulaic pitfall. And with only a few months to go until release, bothStar Wars OutlawsandAC Shadows' marketing can’t waste any time.
Star Wars Outlaws and Assassin’s Creed Shadows Still Need to Use Their Marketing Wisely
Initial Trailers Have Set Star Wars Outlaws and AC Shadows on The Right Path
Shortly following its announcement trailer duringlast year’s Xbox Showcase,Star Wars Outlawsreceived a rather lengthy gameplay trailer. Following protagonist Kay Vess as she blasts her way out of a Pyke Syndicate base, escapes on her speeder bike, and flies off in her ship, this initial gameplay trailer forStar Wars Outlawsdid a good job of showcasing the game’s general loop and core mechanics, but it didn’t shed much light on how the game would be handling Ubisoft’s usual open-world formula.
Speculation aboutStar Wars Outlawscontinued to run rampant for the rest of the year, and at the same time, rumblings of thenext mainlineAssassin’s Creedentrywere growing louder. Eventually,Assassin’s Creed Shadowswas officially announced, alongside confirmation that both it andStar Wars Outlawswould be released in 2024. Though that announcement was met with a lot of excitement, there was an undercurrent of worry from some fans that both games would end up following the typical Ubisoft open-world formula, and would thus be too similar.
Star Wars OutlawsandAssassin’s Creed Shadowsjust received some detailed gameplay breakdowns during the Ubisoft Forward showcase, and thankfully, it seems as though they’re going to differ from one another quite a bit. And while both are usingthe Ubisoft open-world formula, they’re both tweaking it and adding elements to make it feel more distinct.Star Wars Outlaws, for instance, is injecting plenty ofStar Warscharm into its open world to keep the formula fresh, andAssassin’s Creed Shadowslooks to be evolving the franchise’s stealth and combat gameplay in some key ways.
Last year’sAvatar: Frontiers of Pandoraproved that even a major IP can’t save a game from criticisms of Ubisoft’s open-world formula.
Star Wars Outlaws and AC Shadows Need to Keep Highlighting Their Differences
WhileStar Wars OutlawsandAssassin’s Creed Shadowshave already gone out of their way to highlight how they’re shaking up the Ubisoft open-world formula, these Ubisoft Forward demonstrations should only be the beginning. Even after those trailers, some are still worried that the final product of these games will fall into the same trappings as the countless open-world Ubisoft games that have come before them, and it’s vital that the marketing for bothStar Wars OutlawsandAssassin’s Creed Shadowsover the next few months continues to highlight how each game is tweaking the formula, and how they’re standing apart from one another.
Star Wars Outlaws
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game and explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, & outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITYExplore distinct planets with bustling cities and cantinas before racing across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each planet brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORYLive the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. With Nix by your side, turn any situation to your advantage: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONSTake on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEATPilot your ship, The Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with The Empire and other foes, finding the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
