In a press release, Ubisoft explains that 2022 was a difficult year for the publisher and some published games did not bring the success they had hoped for. As a consequence, three more games will be discontinued, after four titles were already unplugged in July 2022.
At the same time, it was also announced that the open-world pirate game Skull & Bones will be postponed again:
more on the subject
Skull & Bones postpones for the sixth time
What’s wrong at Ubisoft?
According to your own statement, you are currently in front big challenges
. So would have games like Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope and Just Dance 2023 did not achieve the hoped-for financial success. Also, the industry is moving towards “mega-brands” with enduring games that can reach global players on different platforms.
With their own big brands like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six and other Tom Clancy series, they want to adapt to this development in the future. However, the respective titles have not yet been published. The changing work patterns caused by the effects of the pandemic, which have had a major impact on productions, are also cited as the publisher’s difficult situation.
We already talked about the publisher’s problems in the podcast in 2021 and identified one of the main causes:
link to Podcast Content
The publisher’s financial situation is also reflected in the company’s falling share price. Not mentioned in the current communications are the apparent issues of sexism and toxic corporate culture that have led to the removal of key people from management positions in recent years.
Sexism issues at Ubisoft
The French developer and publisher has been accused of a toxic corporate culture since July 2020. It’s about sexism problems and discrimination, which should be deeply rooted in the company. Ubisoft has now removed some people from the management level and commented on the allegations.
Which games are being discontinued?
All three now discontinued titles have gone unannounced so far, so we may never know what we missed. Since Ubisoft wants to focus more on fewer titles, it’s quite possible that it’s rather smaller brands and games that have to give way now.
In July 2022, however, it was Ghost Recon: Frontline, part of the largest Ubisoft franchises, that was discontinued. The game was also consistently received negatively. In addition to two unknown titles, Splinter Cell VR was also unplugged at the time, which probably would have had a rather small player base as a VR game.
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Ghost Recon Frontline – New multiplayer shooter revealed with gameplay trailer
Which measures are still being considered?
Basically, the publisher wants to proceed more cautiously and corrects its financial goals for the following year downwards. All energy should be concentrated on expanding and expanding the existing brands some of the strongest in the industry
close. At the same time, as mentioned, they want to focus on fewer titles.
According to well-known insider Jeff Grubb Ubisoft has already considered being bought out. However, the suggestions fell on deaf ears with other publishers. This is just an unconfirmed rumor and not official information. After all, there is also good news for players: Because a crossover event in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla promises exciting things for the successor Mirage, if you look closely.
