Highlights

  • Massive Entertainment's Star Wars Outlaws requires internet connection for physical disk installation, disappointing fans.
  • Ubisoft's trend of digital downloads for physical copies raises concerns about game longevity and access.
  • The debate over the digitization of video game sales highlights consumer worries about online market dominance.

The cover art for Massive Entertainment's Star Wars Outlaws confirmed players with a physical disk will still need an internet connection to play the game. Star Wars Outlaws recently unveiled a new story trailer, which featured a sneak peek into Ubisoft's upcoming open-world adventure in a galaxy far, far away. However, some fans were displeased when images of the game's PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X box art confirmed its installation isn't as simple as slotting in a disk.

For years now, large parts of the gaming community have been rallying against the trend of an always-online video game. There are varying reasons for players' distrust over titles employing systems that necessitate a stable internet connection. Some have pointed out how online functionalities do not last forever. While the life of a title can last for years depending on how well it can retain a decent-sized player base, servers will inevitably shut down This sometimes leaves these always online games completely unplayable, which was notably what happened when Ubisoft's The Crew shut down its servers. But others also questioned the need for online functionality in what is intended to be a single-player video game, and have championed the continued sale of complete physical copies in an increasingly digitized medium.

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These players were likely disappointed when the cover for Star Wars Outlaws revealed physical copies of Massive Entertainment's upcoming title won't be playable from the get-go. A post from X user Wario64 (@Wario64) showed the box art as it appeared in Best Buy's online shop, which included a disclaimer at the bottom left stating players needed an internet connection to install the game. This also wasn't the first time an additional download was listed as a requirement for copies of a Ubisoft-published single-player title, with physical units for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora requiring an internet connection for installation as well.

While it remains unclear how much of the game needs to be downloaded, fans are already wary of the game's longevity, and whether they will be able to play a game they rightfully own some 10 or so years down the line. Some users went on to criticize Ubisoft for releasing an incomplete disk, with many questioning why the publisher was releasingg a physical copy on consoles if it still necessitated a digital download. Several commenters additionally pointed out how people without reliable internet access might not be able to play the game even after paying for the standard edition's full $70 price tag.

The Digitization of Video Game Sales

Despite the debate surrounding Star Wars Outlaws, the digitization of the modern era undeniably revolutionized the video game industry. No other period in time has it been so easy to release a game, leading to stories of successful indie games like Minecraft and one-man projects that likely did not have the manpower or financial capabilities to set up the logistics chain inherently required for widespread physical distribution. At the same time, consumers are increasingly worried about the long-term ramifications of a completely online market, and how it sometimes feels as if their right to play their games is under threat.