After their latest financial report confirmed big income drops for game developer Ubisoft following the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the company has seemingly learned nothing from their gaming audience, confirming via a Yahoo Finance article that they plan to release new products “each year” in the Assassin’s Creed franchise going forwards. An interesting approach, considering how that very business practice is the reason the Assassin’s Creed series started to struggle.
Now to be fair, Ubisoft didn’t say they’re releasing a game every year, as the article specifically uses the phrase “products”, which could also include tie-in media like series, movies, or even spin-off games that aren’t related to the mainline franchise. Even so, the overabundance of Assassin’s Creed in the industry is what lead to its own downfall, so this seems silly. After releasing nine mainline games in eight years, the franchise did gain brief favor again with audiences after the entry Assassin’s Creed Origins, which shook up the franchise gameplay with additional RPG elements. However, Ubisoft then released a direct follow-up the year after, and another two years later.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows does have potential to be a hit for Ubisoft. Despite online controversy regarding the identities of the protagonists, it’s the first RPG-heavy Assassin’s Creed title in five years, and it follows the return-to-roots stealth-focused game Assassin’s Creed Mirage released in 2023.
The delays actually made Assassin’s Creed Shadows seem more promising, giving it longer to cook and be worthy of its wait. However, hearing that after Ubisoft took a financial hit they plan to go all in “every year” on new Assassin’s Creed stuff again, it’s hard not to be pessimistic about how much the franchise may get milked in a last-ditch effort to increase revenue.
Are you planning on purchasing Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and how do you feel about Ubisoft’s handling of the Assassin’s Creed franchise? Sound off in the comments below, and keep your eyes on GameLuster for more gaming news and opinions.
