The wider internet has been in an uproar over the release of Star Wars Outlaws, the latest video game. But what exactly is causing the controversy and is it valid?
Following years of anticipation and speculation, Star Wars Outlaws has finally been given an official release date, accompanied by the release of a new story trailer. Along with this exciting news, Ubisoft has also unveiled the different editions of Star Wars Outlaws.
The influx of information has sparked a significant amount of dissatisfaction among potential players. Prominent figures such as Asmongold have expressed their opinions on Ubisoft’s proposed plan for the game, which has been criticized by many as being detrimental to consumers.
Despite being the main focus of the controversy surrounding Star Wars Outlaws, there are several other aspects that players have complained about. This overview aims to provide some understanding of the different points of disagreement within the community.
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding Star Wars Outlaws Pricing
Star Wars Outlaws adheres to the typical tiered pricing system seen in many recent Ubisoft games. It is available in four editions: Standard, Special, Gold, and Ultimate. The cost of the Ultimate Edition has sparked debate and has been criticized for being excessively high.
At first, the outrage was sparked by the discovery of the Australian price for the Star Wars Outlaws Ultimate Edition, which was listed at $199.99 AUD on Reddit. However, as more people shared their complaints, it became clear that the $129.99 USD price for the same edition in the US was still quite high when accounting for currency conversion.
Many have noted in discussions that recent Ubisoft titles, like Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, have been sold at a price of $129.99 USD for their Ultimate Editions, similar to the pricing breakdown of Star Wars Outlaws and other titles from publishers such as Gotham Knights.
Star Wars Outlaws is facing the brunt of the outrage as this type of occurrence is becoming increasingly common in the AAA gaming industry. It’s not only the overall cost that is sparking controversy, but also what is included in the premium versions of the game.
Season Pass Controversy with Star Wars Outlaws
A contentious issue in discussions about Star Wars Outlaws is Ubisoft’s choice to restrict initial content to purchasers of the Season Pass, which is only available in more expensive editions. The Gold Edition is priced $40 USD higher than the standard game, while the Ultimate Edition carries a $60 USD premium.
Access to the game’s Season Pass is included in both editions, and pre-ordering either version grants players a special mission featuring the iconic Jabba the Hutt. Many have expressed frustration on the r/Gaming Subreddit over the decision to make this mission only available through expensive price options.
“One potential player expressed their disbelief, stating, “This game costs at least £70 and still has content being sold separately. Are you kidding me?”Another player responded matter-of-factly, “I’m not surprised by Ubisoft’s actions with this game, it’s just their usual behavior.”
Despite being a common practice for Ubisoft, several other developers have also implemented similar strategies. For example, popular titles such as Hogwarts Legacy and Red Dead Redemption 2 have featured exclusive missions that required additional payment upon release.
Despite their availability to players through the Ubisoft+ service after launch, Ubisoft has also made these missions, such as the Way of the Berserker mission from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, easily accessible. However, this does not invalidate any complaints from consumers, and it is ultimately up to them to decide whether it is acceptable.
Controversy surrounding early access for Star Wars Outlaws
Similar to the Jabba the Hutt mission included in the Season Pass, the Gold and Ultimate Edition of Star Wars Outlaws provides players with three days of early access. This strategy has been criticized for using FOMO tactics to encourage players to spend more money.
Similarly, early access has become a commonly used tactic in the gaming industry, one that Ubisoft is not the only company guilty of employing. Other notable titles such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Diablo 4, and WWE 2K24 have also offered players the opportunity to gain three days of early access by paying for it.
Despite the criticism received for each of those titles, it is still true that there is a group of players who are willing to participate in this type of content. The choice to utilize all of the pre-release strategies mentioned in this article has greatly affected Ubisoft.
There are numerous people who believe it is justified, however, it ultimately comes down to personal perspective. One thing that has become evident is that the launch of Star Wars Outlaws will most likely encounter difficulties as a result of this controversy.
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