Summary
Over the next few months, Ubisoft is primed for some of the most pivotal releases in the company’s recent history. First this fall, isAvatar: Frontiers of Pandora, a massive open-world game set in James Cameron’s iconic film franchise. Then in 2024,Star Wars Outlawswill take players on another open-world adventure, with the series' wretched hives of scum and villainy as the focus. Ubisoft has always had a knack for creating immersive worlds, and bothAvatar: Frontiers of PandoraandStar Wars Outlawsgive the company an opportunity to explore some of the most immersive worlds in all science fiction.
Both games are expected to be massive releases for Ubisoft, but there’s reason to believe thatAvatar: Frontiers of Pandoracould be setting the stage forStar Wars Outlawsin more ways than one. That’s not to say thatAvatarwill be a lesser experience compared toOutlaws, but looking at the current trajectory of Ubisoft’s projects,Avatarwill likely serve as a test for the company’s future efforts. It marks the beginning of a new era of sorts for Ubisoft, and aspects ofAvatar’s execution will likely be reflected inStar Wars Outlawsas well.
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Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Will Test The Snowdrop Engine
The Snowdrop engine has been used by Ubisoft for a few years now, with high-profile titles likeThe Division 2using the engine to create gorgeous worlds capable of great interactivity. It’s by no means new technology, butAvatar: Frontiers of Pandorawill be one of the first major tests for how the engine will be used in massive open-world games.Avatar’s scale and scopelooks to make players really feel like they’re on Pandora, and the same can be said forStar Wars Outlaws' galaxy.
Not only will Snowdrop have to handle the graphical ambition ofOutlaws, but it will have to keep up with players traveling from one planet to another at a moments' notice.Avataris the ideal testing ground for this, as players will be flying on the backs of great creatures through lush, detailed environments that are sure to test the limits of the engine’s technology. If Snowdrop can handle the technical demands of a world as vibrant as Pandora, then odds are it will be able to handle the manyexplorable planets inStar Wars Outlawsas well as the depths of outer space.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Will Test Ubisoft’s Commitment To A Licensed Property
Ubisoft is no stranger to working with properties outside its IP. TheMario + Rabbidsgames are some of the most prominent recent examples of this, but there’s a sense of gravity that comes withAvatarandStar Warsthat makes each game feel especially important for the company. If Ubisoft is able to faithfully adapt the world created by James Cameron, then odds are it will be able to do the same withStar Wars Outlaws. After work done by EA and Respawn Entertainment ontheStar Wars Jediseries, Ubisoft will have to do everything it can to make sureOutlawslives up to fan expectations.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandorais one of thebiggest releases of the year for Ubisoft, but its success will say much more about the game itself. With many gamers looking forward to what Ubisoft has in store forStar Wars Outlaws,Avatarwill serve as a bit of an appetizer for those questioning the company’s ability to pull off such an ambitious, licensed release. Many gamers have expressed fatigue over Ubisoft’s recent open-world games, withAssassin’s Creed ValhallaandFar Cry 6proving to be somewhat underwhelming. HopefullyFrontiers of Pandorawill be a positive signs of things to come forStar Wars Outlaws.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandorareleases December 7 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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