Star Wars Outlaws Sequel: Kay’s Factions Dilemma

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Summary

  • A Star Wars Outlaws sequel isn’t currently planned, but a potential one would have to account for previous choices.
  • Players’ reputation levels involving key criminal organizations central to the gameplay and plot present a challenge for a theoretical follow-up.
  • Options for a possible Outlaws sequel to integrate reputations could be a transfer save feature, or allowing fans to set these levels upon start.

Previously, “Star Wars Outlaws” was a fresh addition to the Star Wars series that broke free from EA’s long-standing exclusivity agreement with the IP. Created and distributed by Massive Entertainment in collaboration with Ubisoft, “Star Wars Outlaws” took place during the time span between “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” The game centered around Kay Vess, a skilled thief and smuggler, as she navigated the treacherous and volatile underworld of the Star Wars universe.

the faction reputation system.

Previously, Electronic Arts (EA) has made it known that the third and concluding installment of their Star Wars Jedi series is now being developed.

A Theoretical Star Wars Outlaws Sequel Would Need to Account For Kay’s Standing With the Factions

Star Wars Outlaws’ Gangs and Reputation System Create a Continuity Conundrum For a Potential Sequel

Over time, Kay gets pulled deeper and deeper into the world of crime, eventually crossing paths with various known criminal groups.

  • Hutt Cartel
  • Ashiga Clan
  • Pyke Syndicate
  • Crimson Dawn

Each one of them had their own criminal networks and territorial disputes, frequently finding themselves at odds due to their constant struggle for power and influence. Players are free to collaborate, confront, or even deceive any of these characters throughout their journey, be it in significant quests or smaller tasks. The game often presents a third option as the outcome of many missions.

The design decision aligned with the narrative structure, ambiance, and motifs of the “Star Wars Outlaws” series, emphasizing the deviousness of the factions and integrating it into both gameplay and plot. This raises a question about whether a hypothetical sequel could sensibly accommodate the choices made by players while further developing Kay’s story and personality.

How a Possible Star Wars Outlaws Sequel Could Incorporate Previous Player Choices

If a sequel for “Star Wars Outlaws” is ever considered, there are several methods for incorporating past reputation. One simple approach could involve resetting all reputations to neutral, using plausible storyline reasons to explain this. However, such an option might appear overly contrived and potentially undermine the sense of player choice and ownership that the original game provided, diminishing fans’ attachment to their unique Kay character and chosen gang allegiances.

An alternative method could involve mimicking games such as “Mass Effect” or “The Witcher,” and implementing a save transfer function that adjusts the game levels to where they were towards the end of the players’ previous sessions. However, this would require more development work, and it remains unclear whether it would be considered worthwhile to undertake this task.

One possible approach could be allowing fans to determine their own connections with the factions at the game’s outset, enabling them to modify these ties as they see fit. The gangs would then respond accordingly when re-encountered. This method, along with the previously mentioned option, could potentially be implemented; however, it would require twice the effort. From a development perspective, starting from scratch might seem more sensible at this stage. However, if a second “Star Wars Outlaws” is ever greenlit in the future, this aspect should certainly be taken into account.

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2025-04-10 19:49