Summary
Choice-driven games have undoubtedly increased in popularity since franchises likeFableandMass Effecttook the stage, due to the freedom they offer players to write their own story. Heading into 2025, both of these franchises now havenew games on the horizon, but Massive Entertainment’sStar Wars Outlawsmight have a lesson to teach them in how they present their choices to players.
Despite the freedom that choice-driven games likeFableandMass Effectgive players to steer the ship, that freedom is often more of an illusion than anything else. More specifically, choice-driven games tend to want players to prefer one choice over another, and that is generally made all the more evident by their endings.Star Wars Outlaws, on the other hand, gives players full control over their choices and doesn’t judge them for the outcome. In light of that,Star Wars Outlawscould teach choice-driven games a thing or two with its reputation system, especially upcoming titles likeFableand the nextMass Effect.
Star Wars Oultaws' Reputation System May Have a Lesson for Choice-Driven Games
Choice-Driven Games Tend to Be Restricted by a Definitive Set of Morals
Choice-driven games likeFableandMass Effecthave undoubtedly set the standard for others in the gaming industry by providing players with plenty of ways to shape the story how they see fit. Their biggest shortcoming, however, is that most of these games have a code of conduct that prevents players from being allowed to make choices without their character being condemned by the game. Furthermore,some games have multiple endingsthat are often categorized as either “good” or “bad,” according to what the story has predetermined is best for its world.
This all inadvertently leads to players being strongly encouraged to make one choice over another, with the most popular route typically being whichever leads to the best, most desirable ending. As such, moral ambiguity is rare in a choice-driven game, most likely due to it allowing players to have far more control over the story than its developers prefer. Nevertheless, it is a quality that many players have requested to be more present ingames that claim the player’s choices matter, as it often seems as though they don’t.
Star Wars Outlaws Specializes in Moral Ambiguity and Doesn’t Judge Players for Their Choices
Star Wars Outlaws' reputation system is unique to its premise, which seesprotagonist Kay Vess, an outlaw on the run from a notorious crime syndicate, attempting to pull off a major heist to have the death mark removed from her head. As an outlaw, Kay is not a traditional heroine. In all actuality, she is more of an anti-hero than anything else, as her ultimate goal is one, not of universal interest, but of her own. This premise allows her the freedom to make decisions that a stereotypical heroine might not be able to make, which ultimately plays right into the hands of players who prefer a little more moral ambiguity in their decision-making.
ThroughoutStar Wars Outlaws' story, players are often given choices that will increase their reputation with one of the game’s factions and decrease it with another. Where these decisions differ from those found in most other choice-driven games, however, is that there is never really a definitive line established between good and evil. Almost every choice inStar Wars Outlawsis based solely on what the player wants, rarely ever considering what the game’s story wants. Herein lies the moral ambiguity that so many choice-driven games lack, and they should look toStar Wars Outlawsas an example.
The challenge that other choice-driven adventures might encounter lies in their premise, which may not allowchoices like those that Kay can make inStar Wars Outlaws. Nevertheless, perhaps it’s time for gaming to see an influx of anti-heroes who can bear the guilt and consequences of morally ambiguous decisions.
