Star Wars Outlaws Accessibility Spotlight
Get ready to dive into the Star Wars universe like never before with Star Wars Outlaws, hitting Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC via Ubisoft Connect on August 30. Early access starts on August 27 for Ubisoft+ Premium subscribers and owners of the Gold or Ultimate Editions. This open-world adventure follows the exploits of Kay Vess and her trusty sidekick Nix as they navigate the treacherous criminal underworld of the Outer Rim.
The team at Massive Entertainment, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, has prioritized accessibility in Star Wars Outlaws, ensuring the game is enjoyable for as many players as possible. Let’s explore some of the game’s standout accessibility features as detailed by key members of the development team.
Accessibility Philosophy
Damien Belleville, Presentation Director at Ubisoft Annecy, emphasized the inclusive approach to game design: “Star Wars is for everyone, so we tried to design the game in a way that as many people as possible can enjoy.”
The team built on their previous experiences and incorporated feedback from players with disabilities, specialist consultants, and extensive user research. The result is a game filled with customizable options that cater to diverse needs and preferences. From adjustable player guidance markers to high-contrast modes for better visibility, Star Wars Outlaws aims to be accessible to all.
Audio Descriptions
Audio descriptions for cinematics emerged as a highly requested feature during an accessibility workshop. Simon Koudriavtsev, Audio Director at Massive Entertainment, shared insights into this innovative addition: “Audio descriptions are an optional extra narration track describing what is happening visually on screen.”
This feature, a first for Ubisoft, enhances the gaming experience for players with low vision and those who may benefit from additional descriptive audio cues. Developed in partnership with Descriptive Video Works, the audio descriptions can be easily enabled and adjusted in the settings menu.
User Interface Customization
The user interface in Star Wars Outlaws is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible while maintaining high accessibility. Damien Belleville highlighted the thoughtful design: “Our menu navigation is based not just on color, but mostly on luminosity.”
Players can choose from various text sizes, opt for high-contrast backgrounds, and customize HUD elements to suit their preferences. The UI also supports common forms of colorblindness, ensuring clear and readable menus and in-game elements.
Gameplay Assistance
Fredrik Thylander, Lead Gameplay Designer at Massive Entertainment, outlined the assist features tailored for different gameplay aspects: “We relied on intuitive and recognizable control schemes for different aspects of the game.”
The game includes aids for piloting speeders and ships, aim assists for combat, and auto-aligning cameras for easier navigation. Players can customize these settings to match their comfort and play style, making the game accessible to novices and experienced players alike.
Comprehensive Accessibility Features
Star Wars Outlaws offers a wide range of accessibility features across visuals, audio, controls, stealth, combat, navigation, space mechanics, minigames, and interactions with Nix. Here is a detailed breakdown:
Visuals
- High contrast settings for key gameplay elements.
- Colorblind accessible design.
- Adjustable visual intensity settings.
- Configurable view angle (FOV).
Audio
- No reliance on audio alone for key information.
- Customizable subtitles with speaker names and directional arrows.
- Configurable dynamic range and audio channel options.
- Audio descriptions for cinematics.
- Positional audio cues for nearby discovery opportunities.
Controls
- Auto-walk feature.
- Support for keyboard & mouse, controller, and virtual keyboard.
- Extensive remapping and sensitivity adjustments.
- Adaptive trigger intensity and motion aiming (Dualsense only).
- Customizable vibration settings.
Stealth and Combat
- Multiple difficulty presets and individual settings.
- Aim assist and auto-perfect reloading options.
- Stealth assists and visualization of enemy footsteps.
Navigation and Traversal
- Fast travel between locations.
- Safe climbing and auto ledge grab features.
- Auto object avoidance and health regeneration for speeder damage.
- Configurable map markers.
Space Mechanics
- Damage and stun toggles for space navigation.
- Horizon auto-alignment and incremental throttle controls.
- Flexible combat style with strong aim assist and pursuit mode.
Minigames
- Individual difficulty settings for timing, precision, and visual assistance.
Nix Interactions
- Additional cues from Nix for enemies and loot.
- Automated interactions and pickpocketing.
Menus and HUD
- Accessibility presets for common settings.
- Menu narration with configurable readout options.
- Clear default fonts and larger text options.
- Configurable HUD elements for optimal contrast and readability.
Star Wars Outlaws is set to launch on August 30 for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC via Ubisoft Connect. Preorder now at the Ubisoft Store to get the Kessel Runner Bonus Pack and an exclusive mission with Jabba the Hutt. For more on Star Wars Outlaws, check out our interview with the narrative director.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows
