Here I am in 2026, looking back at the recent galactic dust-ups in the gaming world, and I can't help but chuckle. You'd think slapping 'Star Wars' on a game is a license to print credits, right? Well, as it turns out, even the Force can't save a game from a rough landing. The saga of Star Wars: Outlaws is a masterclass in how a sure-thing can fizzle faster than a faulty blaster. Despite being the first-ever open-world Star Wars game—a concept that had fans like me dreaming of piloting the Millennium Falcon across the Outer Rim—it ended up being a commercial dud that even a year-old game managed to outshine.

Let's talk numbers, because they tell a hilariously sad story. According to sales data, throughout 2024, Star Wars: Outlaws sold less across Europe than Star Wars Jedi: Survivor did. Let that sink in. Cal Kestis's adventure, which launched back in 2023, was still racking up more sales a full year later than Ubisoft's shiny new toy. I mean, come on! It's like showing up to a podrace with a brand-new engine, only to be lapped by last season's model. Ubisoft clearly thought they had a jackpot waiting to happen—a triple-A, open-world Star Wars game! How could it fail? Oh, my sweet summer Padawan, how it did.

The publisher itself had to acknowledge the major underperformance. It's one thing for critics and players to point fingers, but when the company admits the game didn't meet expectations, you know you've hit a Sarlacc pit of problems. The financial state of Ubisoft has been, let's say, 'incredibly troubled' for a few years now, and Outlaws was arguably their biggest miss. They needed a win, a big, galaxy-spanning win, and instead, they got a game that couldn't outsell a title that was already celebrating its first birthday.

Now, before you think I'm being entirely unfair, let's consider the mitigating factors, because there are always a few.

• Timing: Jedi: Survivor was available for the entire year of 2024. Outlaws didn't blast onto the scene until August. That's a significant head start.

• Re-releases: Jedi: Survivor got a last-gen console re-release, which undoubtedly gave its sales a nice little boost from gamers who hadn't upgraded yet.

But here's the kicker: even when you factor in those advantages, the gap is still embarrassingly wide. The problem wasn't some vague 'Star Wars fatigue' creeping into the gaming world. No, the issue was squarely with Outlaws itself and, by extension, Ubisoft. The game launched with a mixed critical reception and failed to capture the player base in the way everyone expected.

It's a fascinating case study. On one side, you have Jedi: Survivor, a game that built on the solid foundation of its predecessor, Fallen Order. It delivered a focused, narrative-driven experience with satisfying lightsaber combat and a beloved protagonist. It felt like a genuine Star Wars adventure. On the other side, Outlaws promised the vast, uncharted territory of an open world but, from what many players reported, it felt bloated, uninspired, and failed to leverage the Star Wars universe in a meaningful way. It was wide as an ocean but deep as a puddle, to use an old cliché that fits perfectly here.

Looking at it from 2026, the contrast is even starker. The gaming landscape has only gotten more competitive. Players are smarter, more discerning, and have less patience for games that feel like they're checking boxes instead of creating magic. A famous brand name is no longer a shield against mediocrity. You can't just drop players into a sandbox with a Star Wars skin and expect them to be happy. They need compelling stories, engaging mechanics, and a world that feels alive.

Ubisoft's misstep with Outlaws serves as a cautionary tale for the entire industry. It highlights the disconnect that can happen when corporate ambition overshadows creative vision. They saw a formula—open world + Star Wars = profit—and executed it without the soul that makes Star Wars resonate with millions. Meanwhile, a game like Jedi: Survivor, which focused on character and tight gameplay, demonstrated lasting power.

So, what's the lesson for us gamers? It's a good reminder to look beyond the hype and the IP. A big name doesn't guarantee a good time. Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that have already proven themselves, quietly continuing to win hearts (and sales) long after their initial launch. As for Ubisoft? Let's just say they learned the hard way that in a galaxy far, far away, quality still trumps sheer scale every single time. The Force was not with them on this one.