Key Takeaways:
- Players have voiced concerns over the inability to shoot from the speeder in Star Wars Outlaws, a gameplay choice that has sparked debate within the community.
- Lead gameplay designer Fredrik Thylander reveals that this decision was made to emphasize the chase mechanic, reflecting the evasive nature of speeder scenes in the original Star Wars trilogy.
- Despite the controversy, Thylander acknowledges the feedback and remains open to future adjustments based on player reactions.
The Gameplay Controversy: Why Fans Are Frustrated
Since its release, Star Wars Outlaws has mostly been met with positive feedback. However, one particular gameplay mechanic has drawn significant criticism: the restriction on shooting from speeders. Players, who spend a considerable amount of time navigating the game’s expansive worlds on speeder bikes, have expressed frustration over the inability to freely use their blasters during these sequences.
In the game, Kay Vess, the main character, can only engage enemies from her speeder by using a limited move called Adrenaline Rush, which recharges slowly and can be unreliable in high-speed chases. This limitation has left many players feeling restricted, especially when the game throws waves of enemies their way during these moments.
Developer’s Perspective: The Reason Behind the Decision
In a recent interview with GamesRadar, Star Wars Outlaws‘ lead gameplay designer Fredrik Thylander shed light on why the development team chose to limit speeder shooting. Thylander explained that the decision was rooted in the desire to replicate the intense chase scenes that were a hallmark of the original Star Wars trilogy. In those films, characters on speeder bikes were typically fleeing from danger rather than engaging in direct combat.
“We wanted to create an experience that emphasized the thrill of the chase,” Thylander said. “Allowing players to shoot freely from their speeder would have shifted the focus from evasion to assault, which didn’t align with our vision for these sequences.”
Thylander also acknowledged the technical challenges involved. “It wasn’t just a thematic choice,” he noted. “Programming the speeder to handle well while allowing for precise shooting at high speeds proved to be a difficult task. Balancing both elements would have compromised the gameplay experience.”
What’s Next: Potential Updates and Fan Feedback
Despite the rationale behind the decision, Thylander admitted that it was not an easy choice to make and that the development team is paying close attention to player feedback. “We understand that this mechanic might not resonate with everyone, and we’re always open to hearing what our community has to say,” he added.
The possibility of future updates to address these concerns hasn’t been ruled out, especially if player feedback continues to highlight this as a major issue. For now, though, it seems that Star Wars Outlaws will continue to emphasize chases over direct combat from speeders.
Conclusion
The choice to limit speeder shooting in Star Wars Outlaws has sparked discussion among players, with opinions divided on whether the decision enhances or detracts from the overall experience. While the development team aimed to stay true to the spirit of the Star Wars saga, only time will tell if this controversial gameplay mechanic will stand the test of time or be adjusted based on fan feedback.
What do you think? Did Massive Entertainment make the right call? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
