Ubisoft says Star Wars Outlaws is the primary open-world online game primarily based on the favored sci-fi franchise. Nevertheless it additionally provides one other first: In a brand new trailer for Outlaws that debuted at Ubisoft Ahead 2024, we see our first canonical instance of an in-universe online game in Star Wars.
Star Wars Outlaws was first proven by Ubisoft in 2023. The open-world motion sport stars scoundrel Kay Vess and her horny robotic pal ND-5 as they attempt to put collectively a crew for a big heist whereas additionally dodging the Empire and dealing with felony syndicates to make some credit. The sport is about between The Empire Strikes Again and Return of the Jedi, throughout a time when the Galactic Empire is at its strongest and most unfold out. However who cares about all that? What I wish to focus on is the massive reveal that arcade video games exist within the Star Wars universe.
The historical past of video video games in Star Wars
It’s bizarre to consider, however regardless that there have been tons of of Star Wars video games launched over the previous couple of a long time, we’ve by no means seen a canonical depiction of a online game within the universe itself.
The Wookieepedia entry for “in-universe video video games” is extremely quick and small. In a franchise the place “Geese” have a number of paragraphs and footage of their wiki entry, it stands out that video games are so underrepresented within the universe.
Technically, video video games have been talked about as soon as in Legends (the outdated canon from earlier than Disney purchased the franchise), within the 1993 Select Your Personal Journey novel “Jedi Daybreak.” They later confirmed up in two non-canon books for youths. And…that’s it. I assume you would say Dejarik, aka the holo-chess sport seen within the Milennium Falcon is form of a online game, however I take into account that extra an digital tabletop factor. I don’t care in case you use an iPad whenever you play Dungeons & Dragons, it’s not a online game.
In order that implies that the arcade machine we noticed within the Star Wars Outlaws gameplay video on June 10 is the primary canonical depiction of a online game on display within the franchise’s almost 50-year historical past. That’s fairly wizard!
In a distinct video, Ubisoft says the arcade machine we see in Outlaws is Raven 6 and the devs described it as “an area shooter” that Kay Vess has performed “for years.” Much more thrilling, Ubisoft says you’ll have the ability to discover different arcade video games across the galaxy and they’re all playable, too.
And…wait. Oh, no. Now I’m realizing that if video video games exist in Star Wars, that in all probability means annoying chuds who take them too critically in all probability exist as nicely. Oh no. Star Warfares accommodates players. Fuck. Shit. Welp, we had an excellent run, everybody.
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