Star Wars: Outlaws Catastrophic Flop On Steam Launch

Star Wars: Outlaws Is A Catastrophic Flop On Steam, Barely Breaking 600 Players On Launch Day

Ubisoft’s (initially) much-hyped and (ultimately) massive let down on consoles, Star Wars: Outlaws has now had what can only be described as a disastrous debut on Steam. Despite hopes that the game’s late arrival on the platform could potentially spark new interest and boost its struggling sales... nope no chance. Launch day numbers tell a very grim story. As of its first day, Per SteamDB, Outlaws could barely muster past 600 concurrent players—a figure shockingly low for a AAA game tied to one of the most beloved franchises in pop culture.

This is almost UNTHINKABLE, but then again, its Ubisoft, so...

A Troubled Journey to Steam

The troubled Steam launch comes a couple months after Outlaws first hit other platforms in August, where - being filled to the brim with sluggish gameplay, bugs and glitches - it immediately underperformed. Ubisoft admitted in its first-half earnings report for 2024-25 that the game “underperformed sales expectations.” The numbers on Steam indicate that gamers have already written Outlaws off, with little EXTREMELY interest in revisiting it.

A day before release, the writing was already on the wall. According to SteamDB, the game ranked a dismal 249th on the Most Wishlisted Upcoming Steam Games list, with just 6,789 followers (thx fandompulse). This level of beyond low anticipation for a Star Wars game is unprecedented and it really highlights just how little excitement Ubisoft managed to generate for Outlaws.

Yves Guillemot’s Empty Promises

Of course, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot attempted to paint a rosier picture in the lead-up to the Steam launch. Claiming that three title updates had improved community sentiment and teased a major update coinciding with the Steam release, alongside the game’s first big story pack. Don't hold your breath to be amazed, though... Guillemot positioned this as an opportunity to “address a mainstream audience for the busy season” and turn Outlaws into a “must-play game.”

Unfortunately for Ubisoft, the results prove more that these efforts were too little, too late. Despite promises of quality improvements and promotional pushes during the holiday season, gamers appear to have completely moved on, unwilling to give the game a second—or even a first—chance. I can't say I'm really all that surprised. When I know a company is actively trying to take my ownership of games away from me like Ubisoft is doing, I have little motivation to ever play anything they make.

Updates Now Available

Patch Highlights

1. Improved Stealth and Combat Mechanics

   • Players now have more flexibility in choosing between stealth and direct combat, even in syndicate-controlled areas.

   • Enhanced AI detection mechanics notify players when they are spotted, allowing for tactical adjustments.

   • Weak points have been added to enemies, rewarding strategic combat with unique, often humorous takedowns.

2. Revised Weapon Handling

   • Pick-up weapons, including two-handed ones, can now be carried more often, streamlining combat scenarios.

   • Kay’s blaster has been re-tuned to create smoother and more engaging combat experiences.

3. Visual and Animation Updates

   • Dialogue scenes now feature improved facial expressions and character animations, addressing uncanny valley criticisms.

   • A cinematic lens toggle option has been added, along with better visibility of distant lights during exploration.

4. Platform-Specific Update Sizes

   • PlayStation 5: 7.44 GB

   • Xbox Series X|S: 10.18 GB

   • PC: 8.83 GB

   
   

   DLC: Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card

The first story pack, Wild Card, introduces players to a new mission where Kay infiltrates a high-stakes Sabacc tournament. The DLC is accessible with the Season Pass or can be purchased individually.

A Franchise Misstep

The failure of Star Wars: Outlaws isn’t just a blow to Ubisoft; it’s a worrying sign for the broader Star Wars franchise. Disney has trashed the IP in recent years as well - and as one of the most iconic IPs in entertainment history, the Star Wars name has traditionally been a surefire way to attract people from all walks of life. Yet, Outlaws has shown that even the power of the Star Wars brand isn’t enough to save a lackluster game from critical and commercial failure.

Ubisoft’s inability to deliver a compelling product is a harsh reminder of the consequences of mismanagement and misaligned priorities. The game's been criticized for its generic gameplay, poor optimization, bugs, glitches, and uninspired narrative—failings that no amount of post-launch updates can erase from players’ initial impressions.

What’s Next for Ubisoft?

With Outlaws now performing disastrously on Steam, Ubisoft faces an even steeper uphill battle than before (if you can believe that) - to salvage the game and its reputation - whatever reputation that even is at this point. While holiday discounts and marketing campaigns may provide a temporary boost, the long-term prospects for Outlaws look bleak. Gamers have already spoken, and their message is loud and clear: Star Wars: Outlaws is a game they can - and are - willing to live without.

For Ubisoft, the failure of Outlaws should serve as a wake-up call. It’s evident that the company needs to reassess its development strategies and reconnect with what players truly want—before its reputation suffers irreparable damage.

But as with all things Ubisoft.... I wouldn't hold my breath.

~Smash