Ubisoft's Current Challenges: An Overview
- Ubisoft, once a leader in open-world games, faces a critical period marked by internal scandals, layoffs, and a creative identity crisis.
- Despite the successful release of "Assassin's Creed Shadows," the company's future remains uncertain.
The "Assassin's Creed Shadows" Sales Controversy
- Ubisoft refused to disclose the sales figures for "Assassin's Creed Shadows," instead focusing on "engagement" metrics.
- This lack of transparency, coupled with "Shadows" having the "second-highest engagement" for an "Assassin's Creed" game, raised suspicions about the game's actual financial performance.
- The company's financial reports show overall revenue and back catalog sales are down, suggesting "Shadows" may not be the savior Ubisoft is portraying it to be.
The Return of Charlie Guillemot
- Charlie Guillemot, son of the CEO, returned to Ubisoft to co-lead a new transformation committee.
- Guillemot previously left Ubisoft in 2021 after a controversy involving imagery in "Tom Clancy's Elite Squad" resembling Black Lives Matter symbols.
- His prior ventures included a Web3 gaming company focused on decentralized finance, raising concerns about his professional background and potential for bringing fresh ideas.
Massive Game Delays
- Key titles like "Far Cry 7," "Assassin's Creed Hexe," and the next "Ghost Recon" have been pushed back to 2026 or later.
- The official reason for these delays is to ensure the "best conditions for success," indicating a focus on quality improvement after past releases.
- "Far Cry 7" is reportedly undergoing significant changes, including an engine shift and a new storyline.
- "Assassin's Creed Hexe," set in 16th-century witch trials, is unlikely to be released before 2027.
- The next "Ghost Recon" is undergoing a significant overhaul following the lukewarm reception of "Breakpoint."
The "Prince of Persia: Sands of Time" Remake Saga
- The remake, announced in 2020 for a January 2021 release, has been repeatedly delayed.
- It was initially handled by Ubisoft Pune in Mumbai, then transferred to Ubisoft Montreal in 2022 due to criticism regarding its visuals and quality.
- The remake is now scheduled for release by March 31, 2026, though the repeated delays and shift in development raise concerns about its eventual quality and release.
Deprofessionalization in the AAA Gaming Industry
- The gaming industry, including Ubisoft, is experiencing "deprofessionalization," a shift from stable employment to gig economy models.
- Ubisoft has laid off over 3,000 employees between September 2023 and December 2024, replacing stable positions with short-term contracts and freelance gigs.
- This trend leads to a "race to the bottom," draining talent and innovation from the industry, particularly impacting junior developers and leading to a lack of retained expertise.
- Long development cycles due to staff changes, often caused by burnout or better opportunities elsewhere, lead to development "resets" and extended timelines for games like "Skull and Bones" and "Beyond Good and Evil 2."
Overall Summary Ubisoft is grappling with significant challenges, including a lack of transparency regarding game sales, a controversial management reshuffle, widespread game delays for highly anticipated titles, and a broad industry trend of deprofessionalization marked by mass layoffs and a shift to gig work. While some delays may lead to better game quality, these issues contribute to a perception of mismanagement and uncertainty about the company's future in the competitive AAA gaming landscape, making it a standout example of problems within the industry despite its past successes and the potential of its upcoming titles.