Ubisoft has responded to the ongoing backlash against the Star Wars Outlaws season pass, insisting Jabba the Hutt is part of the experience for all players.
The publisher has come under fire for locking the Jabba’s Gambit mission behind Star Wars Outlaws' controversial season pass, which comes with the $109.99 gold edition and even more expensive $129.99 ultimate edition.
"Play the exclusive Jabba's Gambit mission at launch," the Season Pass explainer reads. "Just as Kay is putting together a crew for the Canto Bight heist, she receives a job from Jabba the Hutt himself. Turns out that ND-5 owes Jabba a debt from years ago, and he has come to collect."
The revelation sparked a backlash, with some players criticizing Ubisoft’s decision to lock a mission behind a season pass for what is a full-price, single-player only game. Now, Ubisoft has issued a statement, insisting Jabba the Hutt and the Hutt Cartel “will be part of the experience” for all players, regardless of which edition they buy.
"To clarify, Jabba the Hutt and the Hutt Cartel are one of the main syndicates in Star Wars Outlaws and will be part of the experience for everyone who purchases the game, regardless of edition," a Ubisoft spokesperson told IGN. "The 'Jabba’s Gambit' mission is an optional, additional mission with the Hutt Cartel along Kay and Nix's journey across the Outer Rim. This mission will be available to those who purchase the season pass or an edition of the game which includes the season pass."
However, the scope of the Jabba’s Gambit mission remains unclear, leaving those who do not buy the season pass unsure of what they’re missing out on. Ubisoft has said in the past that players can work for and even betray Jabba as the head of one of Star Wars Outlaws' criminal factions.
Star Wars Outlaws was revealed in 2023 as a scoundrel adventure set between Star Wars: Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi. It stars Key Vess, her droid partner ND-5, and her beastie companion Nix as they attempt to carve out their own success during Star Wars' golden era of criminal activity.
It arrives August 27, 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC, with the $70 Standard Edition joined by the aforementioned $110 Gold Edition, which comes with three days of early access alongside the Season Pass.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
