Why Ubisoft Blames Star Wars for Outlaws’ Failure – And What It Really Means for the Franchise

Ubisoft Blames Star Wars Popularity Dip for Outlaws’ Poor Sales – But Is It That Simple?

Ubisoft’s CEO Yves Guillemot recently pointed to the *Star Wars* brand’s current state as a key reason why their game *Star Wars Outlaws* didn’t hit sales expectations. According to him, “the brand that [Outlaws] belonged to was in a bit of choppy waters.” Rumors also suggest the sequel to *Outlaws* might be canceled, disappointing fans eager to follow Kay Vess’ story.

Why Ubisoft thinks *Star Wars Outlaws* failed
The mixed state of the Star Wars brand today
How other Star Wars shows and games are performing
The future of Star Wars in games and media

Star Wars isn’t dead, but it’s definitely not the unstoppable force it was between 2016 and 2019. *Star Wars Outlaws* launched in August 2024, just two months after *The Acolyte* debuted. That show, despite its huge budget, was mired in controversy from the start. Stars publicly called out Disney for failing to protect its non-white cast from hate, and the show suffered heavy review-bombing. Even after *The Acolyte* was canceled before season two, debates about its unique story and departure from the Skywalker saga lingered for months.

Shortly after, *Skeleton Crew* premiered in December 2024. Marketed as Star Wars’ answer to *The Goonies* and *Stranger Things*, it struggled to find an audience, pulling in just 384 million minutes of watch time for its two-episode premiere. That’s a far cry from *The Mandalorian* seasons 2 and 3, which racked up 1,032 and 823 million minutes respectively. This contrast supports Guillemot’s view that Star Wars’ current popularity issues might be a bigger problem than the game itself.

I’ve noticed a lot of people rushing to defend the franchise’s pride. While *Star Wars* is still strong in many ways, it’s okay to admit it’s facing challenges. For instance, *Andor* season 2 remains critically acclaimed and had solid viewing numbers, partly thanks to releasing three episodes at once. Interestingly, EA’s *Star Wars Battlefront II* has smashed player count records eight years after launch, proving there’s still love for Star Wars gaming.

The Mandalorian’s Family-Friendly Appeal

*The Mandalorian* continues to be the franchise’s crown jewel, even with a less exciting season 3. It arrived when fans wanted something different—less about big-name heroes like Skywalker and Solo, and more about the everyday guy. Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin fits that bill perfectly, navigating gritty bars and villages while fighting Empire remnants and pirates. The show’s charm also lies in its heartwarming father-son story between Din and Grogu, the adorable alien who’s become a pop culture icon.

Grogu’s cuteness may get on some nerves now, but there’s no denying it helped *The Mandalorian*’s massive success. This blend of grounded storytelling and family-friendly themes keeps the series popular and accessible.

Nostalgia Still Drives Star Wars Success

Nostalgia plays a huge role in keeping *Star Wars* relevant. The *Obi-Wan Kenobi* series, despite mixed reviews, had an incredibly successful premiere. Meanwhile, *Ahsoka*, featuring characters from *The Clone Wars* and *Star Wars: Rebels*, also enjoyed strong ratings. Both shows tapped into fans’ love for characters they grew up with, drawing in viewers eager to revisit familiar faces and stories.

The comfort of childhood memories is a powerful draw, and Disney is clearly aware of that. This strategy helps keep audiences engaged, whether in theaters or at home.

What’s Next for Star Wars?

Star Wars is evolving, and Disney seems to be shifting focus back to films rather than TV shows. According to *Andor* showrunner Tony Gilroy, streaming is considered “dead” by Disney, which could explain the limited slate of upcoming TV projects: *Ahsoka* season 2, *Star Wars: Visions* season 3, and *Maul: Shadow Lord*. At the same time, several planned Star Wars movies have quietly been dropped over the years, casting doubt on the franchise’s cinematic future.

The next big release is the 2026 film *The Mandalorian & Grogu*, followed by *Star Wars: Starfighter* starring Ryan Gosling. Given *The Mandalorian*’s status as Disney’s most popular Star Wars show, a lot rides on this movie’s success—especially at the box office. It’s unclear if this film will conclude Din and Grogu’s story or keep the duo going longer, but Disney will likely want to keep this winning formula alive, especially if it performs well in markets like China, where Star Wars has historically struggled.

*Andor*’s success shows that gritty, spy-themed stories can bring prestige to Star Wars, but there’s still a big audience for lighter, family-friendly adventures. The franchise’s wins and losses keep shifting, proving that Star Wars is far from a monolith—it’s constantly adapting.