Summary
- Star Wars Outlaws will focus on major crime organizations like the Hutt Cartel and the Pyke Syndicate in the chaos of the Galactic Civil War.
- The game includes Qi'ra to some extent, which means Crimson Dawn may play a significant role in the criminal underworld narrative too.
- Star Wars fans should consider reading the Crimson Dawn trilogy of comics to get a sense of the organization's possible part in the game.
Star Wars Outlaws will highlight numerous crime organizations profiting from the chaos created by the Galactic Civil War between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. In Star Wars Outlaws’ story trailer, three crime organizations were singled out: the Hutt Cartel, the Pyke Syndicate, and the relatively new Crimson Dawn.
Star Wars Outlaws and the Origins of Crimson Dawn
First introduced in Solo: A Star Wars Story, Crimson Dawn is a shadowy faction pulling political and criminal strings to seize power in the war-torn galaxy. Despite the faction’s limited mainstream appearance since 2018, Disney has greatly expanded Crimson Dawn’s history and influence in the expanded media.
In Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Final Season, Darth Maul was shown to have created the crime organization towards the end of the war while the former Sith was still in control of the crime organization conglomerate known as the Shadow Collective. The collective was composed of Black Sun, Crimson Dawn, the Mandalorian Deathwatch, the Hutt Cartel, and the Pyke Syndicate. Details on Maul’s return to the Collective following his escape during Order 66 remain sparse, but it’s believed he defeated at least one Imperial Inquisitor as the leader of Crimson Dawn. Maul can be seen wielding an inquisitor’s double-bladed lightsaber in Solo and Star Wars: Rebels.
Crimson Dawn's Peak in a War-Torn Galaxy
During the reign of the Empire, Han Solo’s former lover Qi’ra quietly rebuilt Crimson Dawn after Maul became isolated and later died in Star Wars: Rebels. While exact details of Qi'ra's rise to power are unknown, she and Crimson Dawn returned to prominence in the 2021 S tar Wars Marvel Comics event War of the Bounty Hunters.
Set between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Qi’ra and the rest of Crimson Dawn stole Han Solo frozen in carbonite from Boba Fett and attempted to sell him off in an auction to bring the faction back into the intergalactic criminal chess board. Here it was revealed Crimson Dawn placed spies within every major powerful influence across the galaxy from Black Sun to the Empire and even the Rebel Alliance. The chaos from Crimson Dawn's return sets the stage for all the major crime syndicates fighting for power in Star Wars Outlaws.
The Events of the Crimson Dawn Trilogy
- 2021's War of the Bounty Hunters by Charles Soule and Luke Ross
- 2021's Crimson Reign by Charles Soule and Steven Cummings
- 2022's Hidden Empire by Charles Soule and Steven Cummings
Over the course of two smaller comic events, 2021’s Crimson Reign and 2022’s Hidden Empire, Han Solo was stolen back by Boba Fett, the Hutt Cartel was all but wiped-out, leaving Jabba the Hutt the lone survivor of the Grand Hutt Council, and Crimson Dawn sparked a syndicate war among the various crime organizations. This crime war may be the central conflict seen throughout Star Wars Outlaws.
These events ultimately reveal Qi’ra’s end goal for becoming leader of Crimson Dawn: to destroy the Sith. Qi’ra attempted to imprison Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader in time through the use of the Sith relic, the Fermata Cage. She would have been successful if not for the betrayal of the Knights of Ren. Despite this failure, the faction was able to inform the Rebel Alliance of the Empire constructing the second Death Star.
With Crimson Dawn shattered once more, Qi’ra is last seen viewing a news report of the Rebel Alliance’s victory over the Empire at the Battle of Endor. Qi’ra will make a cameo appearance in Star Wars: Outlaws, though she will not be played by Game of Thrones alumni Emilia Clarke. While it's known that Outlaws takes place in between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, it's unknown if it takes place before or after Crimson Reign. Given that Han Solo can be seen as decor in Jabba’s Palace, Outlaws' likely takes place after War of the Bounty Hunters at the earliest.
Crimson Dawn's Fall May Be Seen in Star Wars Outlaws
First revealed in Outlaws’ story trailer on Ubisoft’s official YouTube channel, Outlaws will see players embody Kay Vess, an up-and-coming Han Solo-esque scoundrel, as she attempts to rob a crime boss to earn her freedom from the Zerek Besk crime syndicate. It’s hinted that Vess will become entwined in something bigger as the game goes on, so perhaps she will join Crimson Dawn or at least help the crime organization as it attempts to assassinate the Empire’s leaders.
Qi’ra will appear in the game, and she may hire Vess to help her achieve her goals. Depending on how people play the game, Crimson Dawn may even become hostile towards Vess. Perhaps this could lead to an encounter with the Knights of Ren to ensure that at least one lightsaber is seen in the game. (The current leader of the Knights, simply known as Ren, wields a red lightsaber).
Outlaws will release two DLC expansions following its release as a part of its season pass. Crimson Dawn may play an expanded role in these. If Ubisoft is planning for Outlaws to be the start of a series, players may see the events of Crimson Reign and Hidden Empire play out first hand if Crimson Dawn becomes a key player in the game and its potential sequels. At the very least, players can become better prepared for Star Wars Outlaws if they read War of the Bounty Hunters, Crimson Reign, and Hidden Empire.
The Crimson Dawn comic trilogy takes place during Charles Soule's run in the mainline series of Marvel Comics' Star Wars starting in 2020. Soule previously teased upcoming games' content in prior Star Wars comics, such as the inclusion of the Second Sister in Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith before the announcement of Star Wars: Jedi: Fallen Order.
Star Wars Outlaws
- Released
- August 30, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game and explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, & outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.
DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITY
Explore distinct planets with bustling cities and cantinas before racing across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each planet brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.
EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORY
Live the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. With Nix by your side, turn any situation to your advantage: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.
EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONS
Take on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.
JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEAT
Pilot your ship, The Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with The Empire and other foes, finding the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
- Developer(s)
- Massive Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft, Lucasfilm Games
- Franchise
- Star Wars
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure
