Toxic Star Wars fans threaten to boycott Ubisoft's open-world game over female protagonist

There’s no denying that Xbox has had a tricky couple of months. After all, I think the less said about Redfall, the better. At last night’s Xbox Showcase though, they proved that they’re back in style - delivering what may just have been the showcase of the season so far.

Starfield is shaping up very nicely and may just be the biggest game we’ve ever seen. Also, I have to mention those stunning Forza Motorsport graphics. Amidst the first-party exclusives though, a number of third-party releases were also unveiled including Ubisoft’s upcoming open-world Star Wars game, titled Star Wars Outlaws. Set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the game will put players in the shoes of scoundrel Kay Vess. Just one day after its reveal though, some toxic fans are already threatening to boycott the game due to the fact that Kay is a female protagonist.

Take a look at Star Wars Outlaws in action below.

I cannot believe that in 2023, this is an issue yet alas, here we are. I’d like to think that it’s a very small minority spouting this sentiment though. By and large, Star Wars Outlaws has already gone down very well. Of course, a lot rides on the gameplay reveal later today. A CGI story trailer can only carry the game so far. The lack of gameplay isn’t what some Star Wars fans are taking issue with though. It’s the fact that Kay is female.

Across the internet, you can find pockets of misogynistic rhetoric when it comes to that fact. “I won’t be purchasing if we can’t create our own character,” one viewer of the trailer wrote while another added, “Looks like another ‘strong independent woman,’ thanks but I’ll pass.” Oh yes, I forgot. There’s a mass shortage of strong independent male characters … oh, wait. One comment read, “Additionally, clearly it’s going to be heavy on the woke. Strong pass,” all because it stars a woman. I just shook my head.

This one is really quite something: “So Jedi Survivor for girls to keep Disney in their woke [phase]?” Are we really living in an age where people are insinuating that games with male leads are for men, and games with female leads are for women? Please, grow up. Thankfully, most Star Wars fans are looking forward to Kay’s journey. We’ll be back later on this evening with the latest gameplay.