As Star Wars Outlaws 'no-loading' screens come under scrutiny, its director already reminded us that having seamless planetary flying would've been lots of work for little payoff

GamesActionStar Wars OutlawsAs Star Wars Outlaws ‘no-loading’ screens come under scrutiny, its director already reminded us that having seamless planetary flying would’ve been lots of work for little payoffWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesActionStar Wars OutlawsAs Star Wars Outlaws ‘no-loading’ screens come under scrutiny, its director already reminded us that having seamless planetary flying would’ve been lots of work for little payoffWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Ubisoft) Star Wars Outlaws' hidden loading screens have proven to be quite controversial online - as all things now are - but the game’s director had already reminded folks that letting players freely fly into planets would create lots more hassle for the developers in exchange for very little pay-off. Instead of overtly cutting to a loading screen when you descend onto a planet - like Starfield, let’s say - Star Wars Outlaws plays a little animation that has our ship flying through thick clouds until the game’s loaded what it needs to. It’s a nifty trick to distract you while the game loads a Tatooine’s worth of data, but the below clip that shows off the landing sequence has caused a minor social media stir. The landing sequences in #StarWarsOutlaws is definitely not a hidden loading screen! pic.twitter.com/0nKTVEQXiXAugust 27, 2024 The landing sequences in #StarWarsOutlaws is definitely not a hidden loading screen! pic.twitter.com/0nKTVEQXiXAugust 27, 2024 Speaking toEdge Magazinein its 387th issue, Star Wars Outlaws game director Julian Gerighty previously explained that developer Massive Entertainment (famous for The Division) hadn’t implemented vehicles into its games before working on Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and its new Far, Far Away romp. “In wrapping our heads around the different gameplay possibilities of speeders and spaceships, we’ve had to embrace the limitations and constraints of each one,” Gerighty explained. “Flying [freely] above the planet was something that we chose not to do,” the director continued - implying that landing on the planet without the cloudy, sometimes lengthy sequence was possible - but “it was going to take us a huge amount of effort for very little payoff.” Games pull all sorts of tricks to shroud their loading screens in smoke. In Mass Effect, the game loads while you’re making idle elevator chat with your alien friendos. In God of War, loading happens while you squeeze through crawl spaces with a snail’s glacial pace. Star Wars Outlaws' trick is, personally, a pretty cool way to obfuscate what’s actually happening under-the-hood without detracting from other parts of the open-world game. Be sure to check out ourStar Wars Outlaws reviewto find out if the new open-world romp is one of thebest Star Wars games. 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uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James 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