Well, here I am finally. A day late. I just got busy yesterday with getting an actual start on Spring cleanup around here and then I went on a whole errand binge that took more or less the rest of the day. Today is going to be busy as well, but not right away so here I am up before 6:00am having a cup of coffee and a pop tart almost hoping plans will change because I would just like a day to do nothing after this last week. But I know better. So let's WRUP.
Ubisoft is hearing some general negativity over Star Wars Outlaws battle pass details. The issue is many fold, but the focus seems to be an "optional" mission that is only available to purchasers of the battle pass or special editions of the game. Keep in mind that Star Wars Outlaws is set to be a $70 base game with two editions beyond that are $110 and $130. You'll get some extra cosmetics, access to two unannounced DLC packs, a digital art book PDF and this aforementioned "optional" mission that has to do with Jabba the Hutt. Star Wars Outlaws is also a single player only title that will require an internet connection to install and play even for physical copies.
Naturally, people are squinting trying to find the positives here but the fact is the hits just keep coming. Why does a single player game even warrant a battle pass? Why do we need an internet connection to be always on to play our single player title? Why should players be expected to shell out for special editions of the game so they can play an "optional" mission. For that matter why is this even an optional mission? Ubisoft says not to worry though, Jabba the Hutt is a main part of the game so everyone will get to interact with him regardless of the game edition you buy. There are full details here at IGN.
Way to read the room, Ubisoft. Jabba the Hutt being a main part of the game or not isn't the issue. The issue is that you have locked an "optional" mission behind a paywall for a single player yet still somehow live service game with battle passes. And you've done that in hopes that people will shell out almost twice what the game is valued for a couple of extras. People have complained and pointed this out but the response you've given is - If you want to play this "optional" mission just go ahead a buy the battle pass or a special edition of the game. No big deal. Guess what? You can have side quests without special editions or battle passes being necessary. Spending $40 to $60 more for a side quest is ridiculous. Okay, I know there's technically more content that eventually comes with these special editions, but we have no idea what this content is yet outside of the cosmetics. Which by themselves may not effect game play per se, but will instill FOMO in people who would like an extra bit of customization and are more likely to spend the extra cash... almost like you know just how to take advantage of that sort of thing.
I hope people don't fall for this, but I know some will. Some folks will just buy it because, hey this is how we get the whole thing. Or maybe spending the extra money isn't a big deal for them. Or any number of other reasons.
I was interested in Star Wars Outlaws for a while, but I'm not any longer. I'm not going to pay for false exclusivity here. I definitely have before, and I probably will again at some point. But not this time.
Okay. I'm done ranting about this. I know I editorialize a lot, I'm not a journalist. These are just my opinions about what I consider to be a long standing and very frustrating problem.
What are we playing?
Greywolfe: i'm very nearly at the point where i can start the story for marvel's midnight suns. just got to make it through three more character levels. in preparation for that, i've been finalizing character decks so that i don't have to worry about that when the time comes. i've also started a metroid: zero mission playthrough. i am mostly enjoying the sense of exploration the game offers up, but very occasionally, it is also just very obtuse. zero mission is better than regular metroid in that it at least points you where it wants you to go next and it has a map [which is very handy], but it's also just very easy to miss hidden spots in walls and things that you're meant to be using to your advantage/using for making your way across the map. so. kind of mixed. but it's a GREAT little platformer. you have SO MUCH control over the jumps and your gunshots. i wish more platformers were like this [and the original shovel knight. even if shovel knight delighted in dropping you into void pits/spikes of death.]
AJ: Recently picked up Persona 5: Tactica and Bayonetta Origins for the Switch so I may check out one or both of those.
Scrooloose: Helldivers 2 just keeps bringing it for me. I want to play Expeditions and Pacific Drive, those are two games I've been waiting for a long time. I just can't drag myself away from this galactic war.