Star Wars Outlawslocks in a release date for its first Story Pack DLC while also confirming its launch on Steamsignificantly earlier than expected. Following in the steps of Blizzard and EA, Ubisoft has made a habit of releasing the PC versions of itsgames on both Ubisoft Connect, its own launcher, and the Epic Games Store. In a bid to circumvent Steam’s hefty cut on every sale, the strategy was to provide players with alternative means to purchase the latestAssassin’s CreedorGhost Recon, but many fans prefer to wait for games to arrive on Steam.
Over on X (formerly Twitter),Star Wars Outlawsconfirmed thattheWild CardStory Pack will be available on November 21.
Additionally,the game will also be available on Steam on the same day, so PC players have a great deal to look forward to in the coming months. Ubisoft is bucking its usual trend of waiting approximately six months after a game’s launch to migrate it to Steam, a strategy that may have been prompted byOutlaws' sales coming in lower than the publisher expected.
What Does This Mean For Future Ubisoft Games?
Ubisoft Connect May Be On Its Way Out
While it’s still too early to know anything for certain, bringingStar Wars Outlawsto Steam just three months after its debut suggests thatUbisoft is attempting to course correct. Its launcher has received plenty of criticism from the community for its poor UI and performance, with many players preferring to wait for Ubisoft games to eventually come to Steam. With the announcement thatAssassin’s Creed: Shadowswill launch on Steamthe same day it arrives on Ubisoft Connect and the EGS,Ubisoft could be admitting defeat.
Steam has been a dominant force in the PC gaming market ever since its debut in 2003, serving as the primary library and marketplace for most players.Ubisoft’s attempt to avoid paying Valve’s cut on sales only ostracized itas many fans would prefer to keep all their games together in one library. The problem was exacerbated by the release of several other launchers like EA Origin and GOG, although the latter carved out a decent niche withits DRM-free philosophy.
One Of Star Wars Outlaws' Coolest Features Doesn’t Really Even Matter
Star Wars Outlaws has tons of new features, both for the Ubisoft open-world formula and the Star Wars franchise. But one of them is ultimately wasted.
Does This Mean The End Of Ubisoft Connect?
Steam Still Rules Over All
Whether or not Ubisoft intends to keep the Connect launcher around remains to be seen butStar Wars Outlawsjumping ship so quickly certainly suggests a grand redesign of the company’s strategy. Even thoughUbisoft would need to sell 25% more copies of the game on Steamto make up for the gross loss it could avoid on Connect and the EGS, it would open the game up to a much more established audience.Assassin’s Creed: Shadow’s commercial performance may be a deciding factor.
