Ubisoft Massive’s open-galaxy title Star Wars Outlaws debuted with moderately favorable critiques a year ago but underperformed commercially, prompting the studio to postpone Assassin’s Creed Shadows to March 2025 to maximize its marketing potential. Despite post-launch fixes addressing criticism—like revamping contentious stealth mechanics—and the addition of narrative expansions, the game struggled to regain traction. Ubisoft’s leadership later hinted that broader franchise fatigue might have influenced player disengagement.

The newly released Nintendo Switch 2 version bundles all prior updates and expansions, offering a polished experience. Initial concerns about the Snowdrop engine’s adaptability to the hybrid hardware were alleviated by a surprisingly smooth optimization effort. Ubisoft also announced an upcoming trial version for players to test the scavenger protagonist Kay Vess’ journey before committing to a purchase.

While fans speculate about the IP’s future, insider reports suggest Ubisoft shelved preliminary plans for a sequel, halting development before full production began. This follows a pattern of canceled non-Force-centric Star Wars titles like 1313 and Ragtag. Attention now shifts to Amy Hennig’s mysterious Star Wars project, though updates remain unlikely until after her Marvel title, 1943: Rise of Hydra, launches in 2025.

Given its focus on smugglers rather than Jedi or Sith, Outlaws stood apart in a franchise dominated by lightsabers. Its muted legacy underscores the challenges of expanding Star Wars beyond established tropes, leaving fans to wonder if Hennig’s project might finally break the cycle—assuming it survives development.