Ubisoft attributes disappointing game sales to players, Steam, market trends, and various parties, while seemingly avoiding self-criticism
In a recent turn of events, Ubisoft, the renowned video game developer, has faced challenges with the commercial performance of their Star Wars title, Star Wars: Outlaws. According to the company's latest financial report, external factors, including the declining interest and "choppy waters" surrounding the Star Wars brand, have been cited as primary reasons for the game's underperformance.
Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft's CEO, acknowledged internal shortcomings but emphasized that the broader Star Wars franchise was experiencing reduced cultural relevance and fan engagement at the time of the game's release. Specifically, Guillemot suggested that the timing was poor because Star Wars as a brand was in a "stormy" or unstable phase, leading to lesser enthusiasm among the fanbase and general audience.
Despite the game's decent quality, issues such as frustrating stealth sections, a drab story, and formulaic Ubisoft open-world design also hurt Star Wars: Outlaws. However, Ubisoft largely pointed to the weakening appeal of the Star Wars IP itself as the primary external factor. In fact, the failure was so significant that Ubisoft cancelled a planned sequel due to the changed internal perspective.
Interestingly, Ubisoft's latest game, Assassin's Creed: Shadows, does not seem to have been subjected to similar external blame. The focus appears to centre on Star Wars: Outlaws and the brand's declining relevance.
In other news, Ubisoft is pursuing another battle royale game after cancelling Heartland. Meanwhile, Skull and Bones, another Ubisoft title, has an all-time peak lower than Starfield's current daily play count. On a positive note, Battlefront 2, another Star Wars game, has seen a resurgence in recent months.
Ubisoft has also been open about discussing technical issues affecting their games in their latest statement. However, the company has stirred controversy by stating that players do not own their own video games. This assertion has drawn criticism from gamers, leading to an antagonistic tone towards Ubisoft.
As for the future, Ubisoft has decided to close the new shooter IP XDefiant in favor of keeping Skull and Bones alive. The Mandalorian, a Star Wars franchise, received massive praise from Star Wars fans, contradicting Ubisoft's claim about the brand's popularity.
In conclusion, Ubisoft attributes the failure of Star Wars: Outlaws to the fading popularity and cultural pull of the Star Wars franchise during the game's release window, while internally recognizing but downplaying their own game's design issues. The company's stance has sparked debate among gamers, leading to a polarized response. We invite you to share your thoughts on Ubisoft's recent comments.
[1] [Article 1 Link] [2] [Article 2 Link] [3] [Article 3 Link] [4] [Article 4 Link] [5] [Article 5 Link]
- Despite the struggles with Star Wars: Outlaws, Ubisoft continues to invest in new projects, such as another battle royale game and Skull and Bones, which recently saw an all-time peak lower than Starfield's daily play count.
- Ubisoft has stirred controversy by stating that players do not own their games, leading to criticism from gamers and adversarial feelings towards the company.
- In an unexpected move, Ubisoft decided to close the new shooter IP XDefiant in favor of keeping Skull and Bones alive, despite the Mandalorian, a Star Wars franchise, receiving widespread acclaim from Star Wars fans.
- Utilizing the technology behind Windows, Xbox, and other Microsoft gadgets, gamers can expect future updates to improve their gaming experiences on these platforms.
- In the realm of smartphones and technology, Ubisoft's commitment to team collaboration through platforms like Microsoft Teams could lead to innovative mobile gaming solutions, potentially revolutionizing the industry.
