Ubisoft: No more ‘compulsory’ DLC will be sold for our games

By Gabe Gurwin November 22, 2016

ubisoft no compulsory dlc rainbowsixsiegehat — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ubisoft is changing its approach to downloadable content based on the success it has experienced through the multiplayer shooter Rainbow Six Siege. Moving forward, the game publisher will no longer offer paid DLC that it feels is necessary for players to fully experience a game.

“The key is if it’s not adding something on top of the actual experience of the game, then it is no good,” said Ubisoft’s VP of live operations Anne Blondel-Jouin in an interview with Gamesindustry.biz. “Because you’ll be asking for more money for the wrong reasons. Also, if the content is compulsory for gamers, it’s no good as well.”

Blondel-Jouin cites Rainbow Six Siege’s DLC model as one the company will use for all of its games moving forward. New maps and modes are available completely free, while weapons skins — similarly to many free-to-play games — are available through microtransactions. Characters can be purchased for real money, but they’re also available to acquire through regular play.

“It is just an extra piece of revenue for us, which comes from gamers being happy. If gamers we not happy, we would not ask for that extra money,” Blondel-Jouin added.

This is an approach that Ubisoft seemed to lean into with several of the Assassin’s Creed games, already. Assassin’s Creed III featured a non-canonical Tyranny of King Washington add-on, while Assassin’s Creed IV’s Freedom Cry expansion starred a separate protagonist.

What’s curious, however, is that Ubisoft — in an interview with the same publication — seemed to hold a much more positive view on downloadable “day one” content just two years ago. At the time, VP of digital publishing Chris Early said that “there was no resistance” when Ubisoft put “time saver” microtransactions into Assassin’s Creed IV, effectively making the game easier for those willing to shell out some extra cash. Whatever the reason for the change of heart happens to be, it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

Gaming

Ubisoft and more offer ways to play purchased Google Stadia games elsewhere

The protagonist of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla shouting in battle and wielding two axes.

Google recently announced that it plans to shutter its cloud gaming service Stadia in early 2023, leaving players who used it as one of their primary platforms in an awkward situation. Google already promised to refund people for their Google Stadia hardware and software purchases, but people are still losing access to games they enjoyed and save files they possibly dumped hours into. Thankfully, some developers are working on ways to help Stadia players.
The most notable studio to help Stadia players is Ubisoft, which was Google's earliest partner for the technology via an Assassin's Creed Odyssey demo. "While Stadia will shut down on January 18, 2023, we're happy to share that we're working to bring the games you own on Stadia to PC through Ubisoft Connect," Ubisoft tweeted. "We'll have more to share regarding specific details, as well as the impact for Ubisoft+ subscribers, at a later date." Thankfully, the Stadia versions of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Far Cry 6, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, and Watch Dogs: Legion support cross-progression, so players won't lose their save files.
https://twitter.com/UbisoftSupport/status/1575922767593078793
Ubisoft isn't the only developer to help. Developer Muse Games is giving Embr Steam codes to those who played its comedic co-op firefighting game on Stadia if they email the developer with screenshots of Embr in their Stadia library. Meanwhile, IO Interactive confirmed that it is "looking into ways for you to continue your Hitman experience on other platforms," as the World of Assassination trilogy was available on Google Stadia.
There's still the matter of the five Google Stadia exclusives: Gylt, Hello Engineer, Outcasters, Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle, and PixelJunk Raiders. So far, only one of those games seems like it will be saved. PixelJunk Raiders developer Q-Games said in a blog post that "we hope to find a way to continue to share the vibrant worlds of Planet Tantal in the future, and we’re open to discussing opportunities to find the right publishing partner to make it happen.. Tequila Works, tinyBuild, Splash Damage, and Bandai Namco Entertainment did not respond to requests for comment from Digital Trends.
While the shutdown of Google Stadia is disappointing for players like myself who enjoy cloud gaming, at least players will be get refunds, and in some cases get the game for a new platform.

Gaming

Ubisoft and Netflix partner for an Assassin’s Creed show and mobile game

The protagonist of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla shouting in battle and wielding two axes.

During today's Ubisoft Forward stream, Ubisoft announced that it has partnered up with Netflix to bring several projects over to the streaming platform. Valiant Hearts 2, Mighty Quest 2, and an Assassin's Creed mobile game will be coming exclusively to Netflix. Plus, there's a live-action Assassin's Creed show coming to Netflix as well.

Few other details about the Assassin's Creed mobile game or the TV show were revealed, but Valiant Hearts 2 is a brand new game announcement. it's a sequel to 2014's Valiant Hearts: The Great War.

Gaming

Is Rainbow Six Siege cross-platform?

The heroes of Rainbow Six Siege pose for the camera.

Rainbow Six Siege is one of the most popular FPS games on the market, yet it doesn’t offer full cross-platform support. Ubisoft has big plans for the tactical shooter in 2022 (including some more updates to crossplay), but right now, there are some limitations you and your friends will have to deal with when trying to play Rainbow Six Siege together.

Here’s what you need to know about crossplay and cross-progression in Rainbow Six Siege.