Star Wars Outlaws: Everything we know so far

Star Wars Outlaws
(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Star Wars Outlaws is the "first ever" open world game set in the Star Wars universe. The new adventure from Ubisoft will see us take on the role of scoundrel Kay Vess in the Outer Rim, where we'll experience the underbelly of a galaxy far, far away. Slated to release this year, it's already shaping up to be one very exciting new game for 2024

Set between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, we'll be exploring an original story. Reputation is going to be everything, too, as we try to navigate the various crime syndicates that call the Outer Rim home - thankfully, we won't be going it alone thanks to our adorable sidekick Nix. Joining the lineup of upcoming Ubisoft game, Outlaws is also one of the biggest upcoming Star Wars games on the way, along with the likes of Star Wars Eclipse. It's certainly an exciting time to be a Star Wars fan. 

If you're looking for a recap, read on below below as we take you through everything we know so far about Star Wars Outlaws. 

Recent updates

This round of everything we know so far about Star Wars Outlaws was updated on March 8 to ensure all of the information is up to date. 

Star Wars Outlaws news

Star Wars Outlaws release date and platforms

Star Wars Outlaws gameplay screenshot

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Ubisoft has set a tentative Star Wars Outlaws release date of 2024. We know that Star Wars Outlaws will be released for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X, although no further announcements have been made regarding the release window or whether Outlaws will ultimately come to Game Pass. 

Star Wars Outlaws setting

Star Wars Outlaws trailer shots

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Star Wars Outlaws is touted as the first open world Star Wars game ever, taking place across focussed maps and areas pertinent to the story. The events of the story occur between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi in the Star Wars timeline.  Star Wars Outlaws will also introduce us to Toshara – a new location for the Star Wars universe, which you can catch a glimpse of at the 1:20 and 2:10 marks in the first trailer. 

We know we will be revisiting the home planet of Jabba the Hutt as part of our journey across the Outer Rim, with multiple other crime syndicates to work with or against as Kay carves a path through them.

Star Wars Outlaws story

Star Wars Outlaws gameplay screenshot

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Star Wars Outlaws will introduce you to Kay Vess, a scoundrel who is trying to survive in the galactic underworld. The core storyline will see Kay attempting to pull off one of the biggest heists in the Outer Rim, all while trying to outmaneuver the reach of the Empire, the grasp of the Syndicates, and elements of her past. Kay is hoping to use the gains from the heist so that she can start a new life, although if I know my Star Wars, that's always easier said than done.

The game will involve a crime system that does not dissimilar to those used in the likes of GTA and Red Dead Redemption 2. "As a scoundrel you live and die by your reputation, meaning that Kay will have to navigate the underworld and its various crime syndicates, making choices that will impact her reputation, her experience, and her support throughout the game," says creative director Julian Gerighty. All this to say: you'll be gaining and losing alliances depending upon which contracts you carry out. The idea of being chased across the galaxy by notorious crime bosses sounds thrilling enough, but in the context of the broader Star Wars universe, it stands out as a truly unique offering compared to the more noble questing of our jedi warrios in the Fallen Order games from Respawn.

Given its place in the Star Wars canon, we also know that there will only be one ending written into Star Wars Outlaws. This focus on a tighter narrative experience while still leaving plenty of room for nuance in terms of how you see it through sounds like an intriguing new direction for a Star Wars game.

Star Wars Outlaws Kay Vess

Star Wars Outlaws trailer shots

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Kay Vess is a brand new character to the Star Wars universe. She's a scoundrel attempting to survive the criminal underworld, against the backdrop of the Empire's ongoing war against the Rebel Alliance. We know that Kay will be looking to pull off the biggest heist the Outer Rim has ever seen, although she may have some bigger things to worry about. From the debut trailer, it's made clear that Kay has a bounty on her head – we see members of the Pyke Syndicate and the Hutts here, so it's unclear who exactly is after her.

Star Wars Outlaws gameplay

Star Wars Outlaws gameplay screenshot

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

We've had our first look at Star Wars Outlaws gameplay and it appears that Massive Entertainment is building a Rockstar-style adventure in space. As Kay Vess you'll be tooling around the criminal underbelly of the Outer Rim, doing what you can to survive – even if that means making dirty deals with Syndicates, double-crossing the Empire, and betraying whatever few friends you have left. 

When Ubisoft Massive said it was building an open world Star Wars game it wasn't kidding. While Outlaws will thread you through more contained areas for missions – which you'll have the opportunity to stealth through, or go all-action with a blaster in hand – you are able to hop on a speeder and whip around planets. It looks as if there will be different towns and cities to explore within each planet, and if you get on the wrong side of the ruling party you'll be able to hop into your spaceship (the Trailblazer) and use hyperspace to reach somebody different. 

That's right, Star Wars Outlaws features a full reputation and wanted system. While we're yet to get complete detail on how this works in practise, it does appear to be influenced by your decisions in missions and by your actions in the open world areas. You'll also have complete freedom to pilot your ship, get into dogfights, and navigate a vast system of planets. Basically, Star Wars Outlaws looks every bit the open world Star Wars games you've always dreamed of playing.

Star Wars Outlaws cast

Star Wars Outlaws trailer shots

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

The two confirmed Star Wars Outlaws cast members surround the two lead characters, Kay Vess and Nix. Kay is being brought to life by Humberly González – who has starred in Killer High, In the Dark, Utopia Falls, and Ginny & Georgia. Kay's loyal companion, Nix, will be played by Dee Bradley Baker – a voice actor who you'll recognise from Star Wars: The Bad Batch and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. 

Star Wars Outlaws developer

Star Wars Outlaws gameplay screenshot

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Star Wars Outlaws is in development at Massive Entertainment. That's the studio responsible for The Division and The Division 2, and a couple of upcoming Ubisoft games including Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Creative director Julian Gerighty says this of the new Star Wars game: 

"When we first imagined the first open-world Star Wars game, we explored where and when it could take place, and quickly realized that we had all the right ingredients for the journey of a scoundrel. These outlaws live life under the thumb of the Galactic Empire, but can still thrive given the opportunities that the criminal underworld opens up for people looking to take advantage of the turmoil. The time is ripe for a new outlaw to make their name, and Kay Vess is written in the stars."

Josh West
UK Managing Editor, GamesRadar+

Josh West is the UK Managing Editor of GamesRadar+. He has over 10 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+'s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you've definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.

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