Why Is Ship Not Showing in Star Wars Outlaws? [2024]

Why Is Ship Not Showing in Star Wars Outlaws? Star Wars Outlaws, the open-world action-adventure game set in the beloved Star Wars universe, has generated significant buzz among fans and gamers alike. As details about the game emerge, one question that has piqued the curiosity of many is the apparent absence of a personal starship for the protagonist. This article delves into the reasons behind this design choice, exploring how it impacts gameplay, narrative, and the overall player experience.

The Open World of Star Wars Outlaws

Before we dive into the specifics of ship gameplay, it’s crucial to understand the open-world nature of Star Wars Outlaws. The game promises to deliver an immersive experience across multiple planets, each with its unique environments, challenges, and opportunities.

Planetary Exploration

Star Wars Outlaws emphasizes ground-based exploration and interaction. Players will traverse diverse landscapes, from bustling spaceports to remote wilderness areas. This focus on planetary gameplay suggests that the developers are prioritizing a more intimate, hands-on experience with the Star Wars universe.

Faction Dynamics

The game features a rich tapestry of factions, each with its own agenda and territory. Players can build relationships with these factions, potentially influencing their standing in different parts of the galaxy. This ground-level interaction might be more challenging to implement with constant space travel.

The Absence of a Personal Ship

The lack of a personal ship in Star Wars Outlaws is a departure from many other Star Wars games. Let’s explore the potential reasons behind this design decision.

Focused Gameplay Experience

By not including a personal ship, the developers may be aiming to create a more focused and streamlined gameplay experience. This decision allows them to concentrate on perfecting the ground-based mechanics, combat systems, and character interactions.

Narrative Implications

The absence of a ship could be integral to the story. Perhaps the protagonist, Kay Vess, is on a journey to earn or steal her first starship. This setup could provide a compelling narrative arc and a sense of progression as players work towards obtaining their own vessel.

Technical Considerations

Implementing seamless space travel in an open-world game is technically challenging. By focusing on planetary gameplay, the developers can allocate resources to creating detailed, immersive environments and complex game systems.

Alternative Travel Methods

While a personal ship might be absent, Star Wars Outlaws likely incorporates other means of travel to maintain the sense of a vast, explorable galaxy.

Public Transportation

Players might rely on public transportation systems, such as commercial shuttles or freighters, to move between planets. This approach could offer opportunities for unique encounters and story moments during travel.

Fast Travel Systems

To facilitate quick movement across the game world, Star Wars Outlaws may implement a fast travel system. This could be narratively explained as hiring transport or using established hyperspace routes.

Planet-Specific Vehicles

Each planet might offer unique vehicles for local exploration, from speeder bikes to hovercraft. This variety could provide diverse gameplay experiences tailored to each environment.

Impact on Gameplay

The absence of a personal ship significantly influences various aspects of gameplay in Star Wars Outlaws.

Enhanced Ground Combat

Without the option to quickly escape to space, ground combat becomes more critical and potentially more challenging. Players must rely on their skills, abilities, and environmental awareness to survive encounters.

Adrenaline Rush Ability

The game features an “adrenaline rush” ability that slows down time, allowing for more precise attacks. This mechanic becomes even more crucial in intense ground combat situations, emphasizing the importance of tactical decision-making.

Stealth and Evasion

The lack of a quick escape vehicle puts greater emphasis on stealth and evasion tactics. Players must carefully navigate hostile areas and strategically plan their approach to objectives.

Resource Management

Without a ship serving as a mobile base, resource management becomes more challenging. Players may need to rely more heavily on local merchants, safe houses, or temporary shelters to manage their inventory and plan missions.

The Wanted System

Star Wars Outlaws introduces a wanted system that plays a significant role in gameplay dynamics. The absence of a personal ship interacts interestingly with this mechanic.

Strategic Movement

Players must think strategically about their movement across and between planets. High-wanted levels might restrict access to certain areas or transportation methods, adding an extra layer of challenge to navigation.

Faction Relationships

The wanted system likely interacts with the game’s faction dynamics. Players may need to rely on their relationships with various groups to find safe havens or alternative travel methods when highly sought after by the Empire.

Customization and Progression

While ship customization isn’t an option, Star Wars Outlaws offers other avenues for personalization and character development.

Character Customization

Players can customize the appearance of both Kay Vess and her companion, Nix. These cosmetic options often come with gameplay perks, allowing for a degree of build specialization.

Faction Armor Sets

Different factions offer unique armor sets with special bonuses. This system encourages players to engage with various groups and tailor their playstyle to specific faction gear.

Skill and Ability Progression

In lieu of ship upgrades, the game likely features a robust system for improving Kay’s personal skills and abilities. This progression system could offer a sense of growth and empowerment throughout the game.

Narrative Opportunities

The absence of a personal ship opens up interesting narrative possibilities for Star Wars Outlaws.

Diverse Character Interactions

Relying on public transportation and local contacts for travel creates opportunities for a wider range of character interactions. These encounters can enrich the story and provide a more grounded perspective on life in the Star Wars universe.

Planetary Focus

Without the ability to quickly jump between planets, each world in the game gains greater significance. Players are encouraged to fully explore and engage with each location, potentially leading to more in-depth storytelling and world-building.

Technical and Design Challenges

Creating an open-world Star Wars game without a player-controlled ship presents unique challenges and opportunities for the developers.

Seamless World Design

Without loading screens disguised as space travel, the developers must create seamless, large-scale environments that feel expansive and varied.

Balancing Freedom and Narrative

The developers face the challenge of balancing open-world freedom with a compelling narrative, all while working within the constraints of planet-bound gameplay.

Player Reception and Expectations

The absence of a personal ship in Star Wars Outlaws may be met with mixed reactions from players, given the iconic nature of starships in the Star Wars franchise.

Managing Expectations

Clear communication about the game’s focus and features will be crucial in managing player expectations and highlighting the unique aspects of the Outlaws experience.

Emphasizing Unique Features

Marketing and pre-release information should emphasize the game’s strengths, such as the detailed open-world environments, the wanted system, and the complex faction dynamics.

Community Feedback

Post-release, the developers may need to be prepared to address community feedback regarding the lack of ship gameplay, potentially through DLC or sequels if the demand is high.

Conclusion

The decision to not include a personal ship in Star Wars Outlaws represents a bold design choice that sets the game apart from many of its predecessors. By focusing on ground-based gameplay, intricate faction dynamics, and a detailed wanted system, the developers are crafting a unique experience within the Star Wars gaming canon.

This approach allows for a more intimate exploration of the Star Wars universe, emphasizing personal interactions, tactical combat, and strategic decision-making. While some players may miss the freedom of space travel, the depth of planetary exploration and the challenges of navigating a hostile galaxy without a personal vessel promise to deliver a fresh and engaging Star Wars adventure.

As we await the release of Star Wars Outlaws, it’s clear that the game is poised to offer a distinctive take on the beloved franchise. Whether running from Imperial forces on foot or negotiating with local factions for safe passage, players are in for a ground-level Star Wars experience unlike any other.