Ubisoft says Star Wars Outlaws is the primary open-world online game based mostly on the favored sci-fi franchise. However it additionally gives 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 attractive 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 talk about is the large 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 lots of of Star Wars video games launched over the previous few many years, 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 brief and small. In a franchise the place “Geese” have a couple 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 previous 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 teenagers. And…that’s it. I suppose you could possibly say Dejarik, aka the holo-chess sport seen within the Milennium Falcon is kind of a online game, however I take into account that extra an digital tabletop factor. I don’t care in the event you use an iPad once you play Dungeons & Dragons, it’s not a online game.
In order that signifies 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 screen within the franchise’s practically 50-year historical past. That’s fairly wizard!
In a unique 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 be capable of 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 comprises players. Fuck. Shit. Welp, we had an excellent run, everybody.
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