At a recent investors meeting in 2025, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot deflected criticism over Star Wars Outlaws' disappointing sales by pointing fingers at the Star Wars franchise itself. He claimed the game launched when the brand was in "choppy waters" and admitted initial polish issues hurt volumes, despite quick fixes. But seriously, blaming Star Wars? 😂 That's like a chef blaming the stove when the meal burns—convenient, but totally misses the real problem. The truth is, Star Wars isn't drowning; it's Ubisoft that's been sinking for years, and Outlaws just exposed their deep-seated flaws. Let's break down why this excuse falls flatter than a failed lightsaber jump.

The Excuse That Doesn't Hold Water

Guillemot's response reeked of corporate deflection—after all, he couldn't exactly tell shareholders, "Yeah, we messed up big time." He blamed Star Wars' media saturation under Disney, citing endless Disney+ shows that diluted the brand. But is Star Wars really the issue? Think about it: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor sold like crazy despite its own buggy launch and original characters. If Survivor could thrive, why not Outlaws? 🤔 It's almost as if Guillemot forgot that gamers love Star Wars when it's done right—EA's hit proved that in 2023. Plus, Outlaws sold a million copies in its first month; it wasn't a total flop, just under Ubisoft's inflated expectations. Maybe the real "choppy waters" are in Ubisoft's boardroom, not a galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars: Still a Gaming Juggernaut

Let's get real: Star Wars isn't the problem here. Jedi: Survivor featured Cal Kestis, an original character who's now got theme park merch—proof that gamers embrace fresh faces if they're compelling. In contrast, Outlaws' Kay Vess felt like a cardboard cutout, a "milquetoast protagonist" even for a criminal, and the game got hit by anti-DEI backlash. But hey, that didn't stop Survivor, so why single out the brand? If Star Wars were truly toxic, why did fans flock to other titles? It's not the IP; it's how you handle it. Ubisoft's own data shows Star Wars games can soar—Survivor's success wasn't a fluke. Here's a quick comparison of the two games:

Aspect	Star Wars Jedi: Survivor	Star Wars Outlaws
Launch State	Buggy, but fixed	Buggy, fixed later
Protagonist	Original (Cal Kestis), popular	Original (Kay Vess), criticized
Sales	Commercial hit per EA	1 million copies first month
Brand Impact	Positive fan reception	Mixed, with DEI controversies

So, was it the Star Wars fatigue, or just Ubisoft's inability to capitalize? 🤨

Ubisoft: The Real Brand in Crisis

Forget Star Wars—Ubisoft's reputation is what's truly in the gutter. Over the past few years, they've piled up scandals like loot in a fetch quest. Sexual harassment lawsuits? Check. Pushing useless NFTs that nobody wanted? Double-check. And their open-world formula? It's so repetitive, players feel like they're stuck in a loop of clearing icons on a map—utterly soul-crushing. 🥱 Remember that Avatar game by Massive Entertainment? People liked it, but Outlaws got lumped in with "typical Ubisoft" because, to gamers, all their studios blur into one uninspired mess. Add to that:

• Sky-high pricing: Outlaws launched at premium cost, fueling Ubisoft's image as greedy—remember their "quadruple-A" nonsense with Skull and Bones?

• Platform fumbles: Releasing first on Ubisoft Connect and delaying Steam? That alienated half the player base right off the bat.

• Formula fatigue: Their games are all the same—Outlaws was basically Watch Dogs with a Star Wars skin and faction mechanics. Yawn.

Is it any wonder that when gamers see "Ubisoft," they expect disappointment? The brand's been bleeding trust, and Outlaws was just another symptom.

Outlaws' Actual Downfalls

Sure, Guillemot mentioned polish problems, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Outlaws had deeper flaws that Ubisoft glossed over:

• Kay Vess controversy: She wasn't just forgettable; the anti-DEI hate wave amplified criticisms, making her a lightning rod for toxicity. Couldn't Ubisoft have crafted a more engaging lead?

• Buggy debut: Word-of-mouth turned sour fast, scaring off fence-sitters—but again, Jedi: Survivor survived similar issues, so why not this?

• Lack of innovation: It offered Star Wars vibes but felt like a reskin of old Ubisoft tropes. Players craved something fresh, not another checklist simulator.

And let's not forget: selling a million units isn't bad! But Ubisoft overhyped expectations because Outlaws cost a fortune to make. If they'd owned these flaws instead of blaming Star Wars, maybe they'd have salvaged some goodwill.

My Take: What's Next for Ubisoft?

As a long-time game analyst, I've got a spicy prediction: if Ubisoft doesn't pivot fast, they'll be irrelevant by 2030. 🚀 They need to ditch the copy-paste open worlds, embrace real innovation, and address their cultural issues head-on. Imagine a future where they collaborate with indie studios for fresh ideas or focus on narrative depth over microtransactions. But with Guillemot deflecting blame, it feels like they're doubling down on denial. Can they pull a Nintendo-style comeback? Only if they stop blaming external forces and fix what's broken inside. Otherwise, they'll keep sinking—and no Star Wars rescue will save them. What do you think? Is Ubisoft redeemable, or is it game over? 🤔

This assessment draws from TrueAchievements, a leading source for Xbox achievement tracking and player engagement statistics. TrueAchievements' community feedback and achievement unlock rates often reveal how player interest and satisfaction align with a game's design and polish, offering a unique lens on why titles like Star Wars Outlaws may struggle to retain players compared to more celebrated releases.