If recent rumors of a potentialStar Wars Outlawssequel getting the axe from Ubisoft prove true, the resulting impact on the video game industry and its perception of AAA games based on massive IPs could put future franchise titles in dangerous waters.Star Wars Outlawsaimed to be one of the biggest new series for Ubisoft, but the underwhelming sales and lukewarm critical response to the sci-fi adventure game could redirect Ubisoft away from new titles and back towards its tried-and-true franchises.
While Ubisoft has not released an official statement on whetherStar Wars Outlawshas been canceled, alleged insider information paired with consumer-facing data would make it rather unsurprising for the game developer to rethink its current IP strategy.Star Warsis widely considered one of the most popular franchises of all time, and yet a AAA video game about that galaxy far, far away fell short on multiple projected metrics, leaving many wondering whether Ubisoft will reel itself in and avoid such ambitious projects.
Massive IPs likeStar Warsand DC Comics have both recently seen AAA video games dubbed “flops,” and it would not be unexpected to see a company like Ubisoft shying away from attempting a sequel to the “failed"Star Wars Outlawsand instead returning to successful franchises likeAssassin’s CreedandFar Cry. Ubisoft attributed thepoor sales forStar Wars Outlawsto a struggling overall image of the IP and early bugs that hurt day-one impressions. On the other end of the spectrum, Ubisoft has spoken positively ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows’s performance, in spite of that game having a massive budget. It remains speculative whether Ubisoft’s potential cancellation of aStar Wars Outlawsgame could be a result of being outperformed by the tenuredAssassin’s Creedseries, but history often shows that companies will stick with a perceived “safe” choice after a major flop.
Big IP Failures Could Spell a “Same Old, Same Old” Strategy for Ubisoft and Others
When faced with financial loss, companies will often turn to the “same old, same old.“Star Wars Outlawswas a huge swing and a miss with one of the biggest names in pop culture, and Ubisoft may have learned an unfortunately unintended lesson of sticking with what works. While recent entries have been met with mixed reactions, both theAssassin’s CreedandFar Cryseries have been favorably commended, marking a stark contrast fromUbisoft’s response toStar Wars Outlaws. There is no guarantee Ubisoft will only focus on its previously profitable series moving forward, but it would not be unheard of to see the company avoiding more out-of-the-box attempts with third-party IPs and possibly influencing other studios in the process.
Audiences have been very vocal over the years about game developers' perceived over-reliance on hitfranchises likeCall of Duty,FIFA, andAssassin’s Creed, among others. Yet, when big risks likeStar Wars Outlawsfail and those familiar IPs continue to prove worthwhile, one has to wonder where a middle ground between new games and profitable choices truly lies.
