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Ubisoft at turning point: Gaming insider claims Assassin's Creed holds Ubisoft's future

According to Jason Schreier, the future of Ubisoft is linked to the success of Assassin's Creed Shadows and could be decided in 2025. (Image source: DallE 3)
According to Jason Schreier, the future of Ubisoft is linked to the success of Assassin's Creed Shadows and could be decided in 2025. (Image source: DallE 3)
Ubisoft, once a powerhouse in the gaming industry, is expected to face major challenges in 2025. Following a string of missteps and increasing criticism for producing formulaic content, gaming insider Jason Schreier views the company as standing at a critical crossroads.

During the 2000s and early 2010s, Ubisoft was a favorite among gamers, achieving massive success with franchises like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry. However, the company’s fortunes began to decline, hitting a new low in 2024. Every major release that year was a disappointment. Notable failures include:

  • Skull and Bones: After 11 years in development and promoted as Ubisoft's first 'AAAA' title, the pirate adventure Skull and Bones launched to a lukewarm reception. It earned a 59 on Metacritic and a user score of just 3.3. On Steam, the game managed only 64% positive reviews and peaked at a modest 2,615 concurrent players.
  • XDefiant: The free-to-play shooter showed early promise but was shut down after just over six months due to declining player numbers and insufficient profitability.
  • Star Wars Outlaws: Released in August 2024, the highly anticipated open-world RPG set in the Star Wars universe failed to meet expectations. According to Insider Gaming, the game sold just 1 million copies in its first month. In contrast, Assassin's Creed Mirage reached 5 million sales within three months.

Jason Schreier sees Ubisoft at a turning point

The overuse of the "Ubisoft formula", defined by repetitive gameplay, cluttered maps and a lack of innovation, has fueled growing dissatisfaction among players and critics alike. This frustration is compounded by technical issues, frequent bugs and the inclusion of microtransactions in full-price games. As a result, Ubisoft is under mounting pressure to make significant changes, with the company’s future potentially hinging on developments this year.

Gaming insider Jason Schreier highlighted Ubisoft's precarious position in a recent Bloomberg report on the gaming industry in 2025. He described the company as being at a pivotal crossroads, with its fate likely influenced by the performance of Assassin's Creed Shadows. The game's release, already delayed to February 2025, could determine Ubisoft’s path forward.

A successful launch might provide the breathing room needed for internal restructuring, while failure could force drastic action. Options such as privatization or a sale are reportedly being considered. Companies like Tencent Holdings Ltd., a Chinese tech giant already holding a stake in Ubisoft and Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group have expressed interest in acquiring the company.

By the way: In the same report, Schreier also commented on GTA 6. He predicted that Rockstar Games will likely miss its announced fall 2025 release window, pushing the launch into 2026.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 01 > Ubisoft at turning point: Gaming insider claims Assassin's Creed holds Ubisoft's future
Marius Müller, 2025-01- 4 (Update: 2025-01- 5)