When does Star Wars Outlaws take place?

Star Wars Outlaws is the first-ever open world Star Wars game. Outlaws will release in 2024, with players stepping into the shoes of Kay Vess, a scoundrel navigating the criminal underworld and looking to undertake a life-changing heist in the Outer Rim.

As the franchise’s first open world game, Outlaws already feels unique and exciting. Another intriguing aspect of the game is when it takes place in the Star Wars canon timeline.

StarWars.com confirmed that the game takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The game’s cinematic trailer also made this clear by showing Han Solo frozen in carbonite.

Why this is the perfect time period for Star Wars Outlaws

An open-world game following a scoundrel in the criminal underworld  could theoretically take place at any point in the timeline. Between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi is the best choice, though, because it is a time of upheaval and chaos in the criminal underworld. This has been primarily explored in comics from recent years, particularly in the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover comic event, along with the Crimson Reign and Hidden Empire series. 

War of the Bounty Hunters begins when Qi’ra and Crimson Dawn steal Han Solo in carbonite from Boba Fett before he can deliver the prize to Jabba the Hutt. In her plan to destroy the Sith and the Empire, Qi’ra uses Crimson Dawn and her agents to engineer an all-out war between the various crime syndicates.

This is the perfect time to jump into Kay’s story in Outlaws. Navigating the criminal underworld and various planets during this time will be especially dangerous and chaotic, which will present plenty of thrilling challenges for players.

The Galactic Civil War era is a familiar time period for most Star Wars fans, but not as many fans are familiar with what was happening between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Outlaws can use what is familiar to expose fans to new stories.

The comics in this time period have followed major power players, including Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Darth Vader, and Qi’ra. Outlaws can show more of what life was like during this time in the galaxy, especially for those who aren’t major power players, thus building on the foundation laid in the comics.