Ubisoft fans might soon find themselves facing a significant change, as the company hints at moving away from traditional game purchases. During a recent earnings call, Ubisoft CFO Frederick Duguet emphasized the need for gamers to grasp that with subscription services, “they don’t own the game” anymore.
As a frontrunner in advocating for a subscription-based model, Ubisoft offers access to over 100 games through its Ubisoft Plus service for just $14.99 a month. This service, currently available on PC, Stadia, and Amazon Luna, is set to expand further into more platforms and regions, making gaming more accessible.
The official word on the subscription model
But why is Ubisoft pushing players toward subscriptions instead of game ownership? Duguet believes that subscriptions provide a steadier income stream and enhance player engagement, making it easier to retain players over time. He mentioned that they represent “a way to increase the lifetime value of our players and reduce exposure to the volatility of new releases.”
Duguet further argues that subscriptions benefit gamers by offering access to a diverse library of games and genres, encouraging players to explore titles they might not have considered before. According to him, subscriptions serve “to offer more choice and quality to our players, allowing them to enjoy our games in a more frictionless way.”
Players’ reactions
Nonetheless, not all gamers are onboard with Ubisoft’s vision for a subscription-centric future. Many express concerns about losing ownership and control over their games, especially if they require online servers and digital rights management to play. Additionally, some players prefer purchasing games to keep forever rather than risk losing access due to subscription termination or service discontinuation.
Moreover, given Ubisoft’s track record of releasing games that often follow a repetitive open-world formula, skepticism lingers around the company’s ability to deliver high-quality, varied experiences consistently. With Ubisoft Plus lacking DLC or microtransactions, and competing against other subscription services like Xbox Game Pass, EA Play, and PlayStation Now, some players question its overall value.
What do you think about this shift? Are you considering embracing Ubisoft’s subscription model, or do you still prefer the traditional route of purchasing games outright? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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