Ubisoft's Decline: From Respected Developer to Disappointing Games
One of the best and most respected game developers in the world, Ubisoft once had fans singing its praises as it pumped out hit after hit. But as the Assassin’s Creed developer turns its back on its roots in pursuit of more money, its games have become repetitive and lack depth, with many fans wondering what happened to the Ubisoft of old.
Once considered a shining beacon in the industry, Ubisoft’s name has become tarnished over the last few years. While the Assassin’s Creed franchise remains one of the most popular in the world, offerings such as Origins and Odyssey have been accused of milking the brand, while others like The Division 2 have been met with a lukewarm reception.
While some recent announcements, like the AC Japan game and the witch trials AC game, have generated excitement among fans, others, like the rumored AC game set during the American Revolution, have left many feeling like Ubisoft is simply going back to the roots of the series and exploring popular settings with little regard for artistic integrity.
There’s no question that Ubisoft has been putting out a lot of games, with many feeling that the studio is straying from its roots as it focuses more on creating long, bloated games instead of quality experiences.
“It feels like Ubisoft (and many other devs) have switched their focus from making high-quality games to making as many profitable games as possible,” one user writes. “This is a very common trend among successful studios.”
Another says, “Bethesda’s decline and sale to Microsoft is really disappointing. I hope Larian doesn’t face that.” A third user comments, “They used to be amazing, but now they churn out games that are either rushed or just too long and repetitive.”
While some are sad to see the decline of Bethesda and its acquisition by Microsoft, others are concerned that Larian Studios, which has experienced its own growth in recent years, could face the same fate.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Ubisoft acquired Larian in ten years and turned it into just another studio making milking games,” one user writes. Another comments, “I’d be so mad if Larian got sold to Ubisoft.”
Others express frustration at missed opportunities. “Why did they make three games in the same setting?” one fan asks, referring to the three-game series set in Japan that included AC Japan, Rurouni Kenshin: Blades of the Meiji Restoration, and AC Mirage. “They should have at least made an AC game set in feudal Japan.”
Others are hopeful about the potential of upcoming Ubisoft games, with some cautious optimism towards the AC Japan announcement. “I’m excited for the announcement but also worried that it’s just another Origins 2,” one fan writes. “I’m hoping they go back to the roots of the series and explore popular settings.”
But perhaps the best response comes from someone who says, “I used to think Ubisoft was a good company. Now, I don’t know what to think.”
Whatever you think about the decline in public opinion towards Ubisoft, one thing’s for certain: it doesn’t seem to bother the studio as long as it keeps making money.
Who knows, maybe the excessive length of Ubisoft games is just poor efficiency. Maybe the promise of shorter games, like Valhalla, will be fulfilled. Or maybe the strategy of going back to the roots of the series and exploring popular settings is just a desperate move to win back public favor.
Whatever the case, it doesn’t seem to concern Ubisoft as long as it keeps making money. Perhaps we could see a change in future games, but only time will tell.
