With a license as strong and popular as Star Wars, Ubisoft was expected to perform well with the release of its game “Star Wars Outlaws,” potentially aiding the French company in regaining financial stability after several years of struggle. Unfortunately, this did not materialize as anticipated. Despite receiving a relatively positive reception from critics (averaging 76% on Metacritic), the game was significantly less appreciated by players, earning a player score of 5.4/10. For some, this outcome reflects ongoing frustration with Ubisoft, which has faced repeated criticism from gamers for what is perceived as an industrialized approach to its catalog. While Yves Guillemot expresses confidence in the game’s successful launch and long-term prospects, a Reuters report indicates that sales of “Star Wars Outlaws” are now considered “slow.” This assessment comes from analyst Morgan Daniel Kerven of JP Morgan, who noted that despite critical acclaim, the game failed to meet sales expectations. According to Kerven, the projected sales for “Star Wars Outlaws” up to March 2025 have been revised downward to an estimated 5.5 million units from the initial projection of 7.5 million.
If 5.5 million in sales is considered a significant figure, for Morgan Daniel Kerven it would represent a failure for a game like Star Wars Outlaws, given the investments made and the strong power of the Star Wars license. The analyst notes that other titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 sold 25 million copies in October 2023, while more recently, Helldivers 2 surpassed 12 million copies sold within three months, and Black Myth Wukong reached an impressive 18 million sales in just 15 days following its release with 10 million copies sold in the first three days.
In response to this setback, Ubisoft’s stock price declined to its lowest level since 2015. It is important to note that the company’s stock had been decreasing over several years, falling from $94 in 2021 to just $16 currently. Some analysts attribute this decline partly to ongoing challenges, including the cancellation of multiple game projects (the Prince of Persia remake, Wild by Michel Ancel, Project Q, and Immortals Fenyx Rising 2), difficulties finalizing major productions (Skull & Bones, Beyond Good & Evil 2), and mixed reception for released titles. Charles-Louis Planade, an analyst at Midcap Partners, further points out that XDefiant, another Ubisoft game designed as a service title, failed to attract its intended audience. Despite a promising launch driven by positive word-of-mouth, Planade notes that the initial excitement did not last, and player engagement quickly diminished. In fact, the number of XDefiant viewers on Twitch has dropped significantly, from over 203,000 peak viewers in May to just 1,440 currently, according to TwitchTracker. It is worth noting that XDefiant is not an isolated instance, as the recent release of Concord also faced low player interest, leading Sony to disconnect the game just fifteen days after its launch.
As we delve into the current challenges faced by Ubisoft, it’s worth turning our attention to an upcoming release that promises a return to form for one of the company’s most beloved franchises. Assassin’s Creed Mirage, set to launch soon after its initial announcement last year, marks a significant shift back towards classic gameplay elements (Ahmed Hassan, September 12, 2023). This installment, developed in Ubisoft Bordeaux, emphasizes parkour and stealth mechanics in a vibrant historical setting—Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate. For fans eager to revisit what made the series iconic, Mirage offers an immersive cityscape rich with verticality and fluid movement. Whether you’re excited by this return to roots or wary of its more focused approach, it’s certainly worth checking out Ahmed’s insightful take on the game Assassin’s Creed Mirage: It’s a Return to Roots, But the Game Will Divide Players. While the fate of “Star Wars Outlaws” may be weighing heavily on Ubisoft’s financial prospects, there is a silver lining on the horizon with another upcoming title that has recently reignited fan excitement. **Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora**, set to release on December 7th, 2023, saw its hype levels surge after a captivating gameplay reveal during a State of Play event earlier this month (read more about it Avatar Frontiers of Pandora: New Gameplay Video Reignites Hype Around the Game). Authored by Carlos Mendoza, the blog delves into how this open-world adventure introduces players to the rich culture and customs of Pandora’s Na’vi inhabitants, alongside thrilling combat mechanics and mesmerizing flight sequences on Ikran. Fans of both the original film series and innovative gaming experiences are sure to find much to anticipate in this promising release from Ubisoft. While Ubisoft has faced recent challenges with titles like “Star Wars Outlaws,” the company continues to push boundaries and captivate audiences with innovative projects. For instance, Sophie Laurent’s latest post on August 23rd dives into the exciting unveiling of Assassin’s Creed Jade, a mobile game set in Imperial China. Fans are buzzing about the first official gameplay trailer showcased at Tencent’s “Into the Infinite” conference, promising an open-world adventure rich in historical conflict and immersive gameplay. To learn more about this ambitious new entry in the franchise, be sure to check out Sophie’s detailed coverage Assassin’s Creed Jade: Eight Months After Leaks, China-Set Episode Unveils First Official Gameplay Trailer.
