For more than 45 years fans have had a bounty (hunter) of ways to explore Star Wars. From movies and TV shows, to comics and video games, to novels and board games, there’s no shortage of venues to experience the galaxy far, far away. But soon we’ll have yet another, one that is long overdue. The first trailer and gameplay for Star Wars Outlaws brings an open world adventure to the franchise during a famous—and very dangerous—era.
Massive Entertainment, Ubisoft, and Lucasfilm Games won’t just let us meet some unsavory characters in their new collaboration. They’re going to let us work for them. Here’s the official synopsis for Star Wars Outlaws, an historic entry in the franchise’s video game library.
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. 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, along with her companion Nix. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.
Lucasfilm also shared more insights in its official trailer announcement. Kay isn’t just looking for a big score. She is going to “attempt one of the biggest heists the Outer Rim has ever seen.” Let the speculation begin!
Good thing her and her adorable bud Nix will have some help with the job. Joining them is a mysterious BX-commando droid who sports a trench coat.
“It’s a dream come true to be able to collaborate with the team at Lucasfilm Games to create Star Wars Outlaws, the first open-world Star Wars game,” said Julian Gerighty, creative director at Massive Entertainment, in a statement. “Our team at Massive Entertainment has a great deal of experience in open-world games backed by strong technology, and it’s the perfect time to tell an original scoundrel story that will resonate with fans. With the Galactic Empire on the heels of the Rebel Alliance, and the criminal underworld thriving, an outlaw like Kay Vess has a whole galaxy of opportunity in front of her.”
Ten minutes of gameplay footage show the corners of the Star Wars galaxy many fans have wanted to explore:
While an open world experience is long overdue, we’ll have to wait a little longer to play. Star Wars Outlaws will arrive on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC in 2024. Most recently, per IGN, Ubisoft revealed it would come after Q4 of 2024, which puts its release anywhere in the April to December time frame. That is unless someone steals it before that. What? Don’t rule that out. In the galaxy far, far away someone is always trying to steal something.
Originally published on June 12, 2023.