Star Wars Outlaws’ Open World is Driven By Curiosity

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Star Wars Outlaws' Open World is Driven By Curiosity

As a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast and open-world game aficionado, I can confidently say that Star Wars Outlaws has captured my imagination like no other. The seamless blend of iconic Star Wars locales with fresh, unexplored territories is nothing short of breathtaking.

In the creation of the extensive, open-world Star Wars game titled Star Wars Outlaws, the developers at Ubisoft faced a challenging task. Not only was it essential for this new game to accurately convey the unique visual aesthetic of iconic Star Wars locations seen in films, but it also needed to resonate with its innovative settings and characters. Simultaneously, the vast environments required for an open-world game had to be filled with captivating content to keep players hooked, immersed, and eagerly exploring.

As a die-hard Star Wars fan, I had the privilege to join Game Rant in a conversation with Mathias Karlson, the game director of Star Wars Outlaws, and Benedikt Podlesnigg, our art & world director. They shared some fascinating insights on how Ubisoft aimed to capture that innate sense of wonder that is synonymous with exceptional open-world games. Their focus was on ensuring players would frequently find themselves drawn off their main path by curiosity, which they believed is a crucial element for an immersive gaming experience. Moreover, they emphasized the importance of giving players autonomy in deciding how to engage with these intriguing distractions.

Star Wars Outlaws Encourages and Rewards Exploration

As described by Podlesnigg, the game Star Wars Outlaws isn’t about making decisions between side missions and main quests. Instead, it encourages players to immerse themselves in Kay Vess’ perspective and seamlessly traverse the galaxy as they move from one event to another. He recommends adopting an explorative playstyle over focusing on what might seem like primary goals. The game is structured to encourage this type of exploration by rewarding such behavior.

“Enjoying Star Wars Outlaws is most enjoyable when experienced as a single adventure. It’s not about focusing on main or secondary tasks; instead, it’s an immersive journey where you assume the roles of rogue characters Kay Vess and Nix, navigating the galaxy as street-smart thieves.”

Explore your surroundings, overhear chats from others… observe the world, pay attention to Nix’s insights… there’s always something intriguing to discover. The things you stumble upon are usually valuable; they could be resources for enhancing your skills, a stylish upgrade for your vehicle, or even fresh quests and surprising scenarios.

In the realm of open-world gaming, I find myself captivated by various advancement systems that entice me with rewards for venturing out and exploring. These systems function as tantalizing carrots on sticks, guiding me to engage in specific activities. For instance, if I’m eager to unlock a new skill or upgrade for my Trailblazer, I might decide to concentrate on certain tasks to reach that objective. However, veering off the beaten path can sometimes lead to unexpected progress in other areas as well.

Star Wars Outlaws Is All About Player Agency

Freedom of movement is crucial in open-world games, and Star Wars Outlaws certainly didn’t skimp out in that area thanks to numerous planets, space flight, and speeder traversal. Equally as important, however, is for players to be free to solve problems through various means. Karlson says that beyond the choice between guns blazing and a stealthy approach, players must also weigh how their decisions might affect the dispositions of Star Wars Outlaws‘ underworld factions and even the Empire toward Kay Vess.

“The essence of this game lies in your freedom and independence as a player. It’s not just about deciding where to go next or what action to take, but also about how you handle various situations. Do you prefer a silent, stealthy approach, or do you charge ahead with all guns blazing? Ultimately, the decisions, including any potential repercussions, are largely in your hands.”

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“In our open-world setting, the key principle is that you are free to pursue your personal objectives, occasionally led astray by your innate curiosity. Rest assured, your curiosity will never go unrewarded.”

In a rogue’s tale, the setting seems ideal for unfettered adventure as a character such as Kay Vess would instinctively delve into discovery in search of wealth, free from the constraints of the Jedi Order or the Rebel Alliance. For Karlson, this goal-driven style is the essence of what makes playing the open world game “Star Wars Outlaws” so engaging.

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2024-08-24 20:35