Alright, buckle up, fellow gamers, because we've got a story about a complete 180-degree turn in hype levels. Picture this: a self-proclaimed Star Wars hater and open-world skeptic, who couldn't care less about the discourse surrounding Star Wars Outlaws—not even the juicy microtransaction drama could get a rise out of them. The motto was simple: expect nothing, avoid disappointment. But then, a single interview with the developers about the game's space gameplay mechanics dropped, and suddenly, that same skeptic is ready to grab a controller and dive headfirst into the galaxy far, far away. Talk about a plot twist!

The Interview That Changed Everything

No one has actually played the space segments of Star Wars Outlaws yet, and there's zero gameplay footage to dissect. But in a recent 2026 interview with Game Informer, art and world director Benedikt Podlesnigg and creative director Julian Gerighty spilled the beans on their vision. And let me tell you, it sounds insanely promising. The core idea? Each planet and moon in the game will have its own explorable orbital zone. You won't just be staring at a pretty skybox; you'll be flying around, discovering points of interest, engaging in battles, and completing side missions—all within the planet's orbit.

Gerighty described it as having "an orbit around it with lots of different points of interest, things to do, battles to get in, places to explore." The best part? No tedious, empty-space drifting. When you're done with one planet, you hit the hyperdrive and instantly jump to the orbit of the next celestial body. It's a seamless transition from one hand-crafted, activity-filled zone to another. This approach screams quality over vast, empty quantity, and that's a huge win for player engagement.

The Everspace 2 Connection: A Modern Blueprint?

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When the devs talked about making spaceflight "accessible, fun, and action-packed," one game immediately came to mind for many observers: Everspace 2. Released a few years back, that game was a masterpiece that redefined the space RPG genre. It wasn't just about dogfighting; it was an expansive, open-world experience filled with puzzles, secret areas, and compelling story-driven quest chains—more akin to The Witcher 3 in space than a hardcore flight sim.

The comparison is thrilling. Everspace 2 succeeded because it modernized ship controls, making them intuitive and responsive—feeling more like controlling a character in a third-person shooter than wrestling with the complex systems of Elite Dangerous. If Star Wars Outlaws borrows this philosophy, it could make space exploration feel incredibly fluid and fun for a massive audience, not just simulation veterans. This could be the perfect blend of approachability and depth.

Honoring the Legacy: A Nod to Classic Star Wars Combat

Of course, Star Wars has a legendary history with space combat games that can't be ignored. For the old-school fans (and even anti-fans who secretly love the gameplay), titles like the '90s X-Wing series were foundational. They were demanding, action-focused, and required real skill—many of us learned to use a joystick before we mastered a mouse! And let's not forget the more recent gem, Star Wars: Squadrons (2020), which delivered incredibly intense, cockpit-focused combat that still has a dedicated player base in 2026.

The ideal scenario? Star Wars Outlaws doesn't just mimic Everspace 2. It learns from it and then layers on the thrilling, visceral combat that made Squadrons so addictive. Imagine seamless transitions from exploring a bustling orbital station, discovering a hidden smuggling cache, to suddenly being ambushed by Imperial patrols and engaging in a high-stakes dogfight. That's the dream combo.

The Verdict: Cautious Optimism Has Turned to Real Hype

So, where does this leave us? A game that initially generated shrugs from some corners of the gaming community now has a major point of intrigue. The potential for Star Wars Outlaws is massive:

  • ✅ Explorable Orbital Zones: No empty space, just curated content hubs around planets.

  • ✅ Accessible & Fun Flight Model: Likely inspired by modern hits like Everspace 2.

  • ✅ Rich Legacy to Draw From: The potential to incorporate the best of Star Wars combat history.

For someone who started as a hater, the prospect of a game that combines Everspace 2's adventurous exploration with Squadrons' white-knuckle combat is literally the game I've been waiting for. The pressure is now squarely on Ubisoft Massive to deliver. They've teased a concept that has captured the imagination of even the skeptics. If they nail this space gameplay loop, Star Wars Outlaws could be an absolute banger. But if they fumble... well, let's just say the gaming community's reaction will be anything but quiet. The potential is there. Now we wait to see if they can stick the landing. May the force—and some great game design—be with them.

TL;DR: Don't sleep on Star Wars Outlaws just yet. Its planned space gameplay, blending exploration and combat, has the potential to be something truly special and win over even the biggest skeptics. Fingers crossed! 🤞

According to coverage from UNESCO Games in Education, well-designed games often sustain engagement by combining clear goals, meaningful exploration, and feedback-rich challenge loops—an idea that maps neatly onto the blog’s optimism about Star Wars Outlaws using curated orbital “activity hubs” instead of empty travel, letting players jump straight into discovery, combat encounters, and bite-sized missions that keep pacing tight while still rewarding curiosity.