Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Return: Casual Announcement, Serious Questions About Game Preservation
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Ubisoft's CEO addressed concerns about the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign while nonchalantly revealing a new Ghost Recon project, raising questions about the company's approach to game preservation. Will they learn from past mistakes, or is this just another cycle?
Right, so Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, has been doing the corporate shuffle, dodging questions about that whole 'Stop Killing Games' campaign while casually dropping a bombshell about a new Ghost Recon title. Fair dinkum, the timing is…well, let’s just say it’s a bit like offering someone a life raft made of marshmallows. (Original story via Rock Paper Shotgun)
For those who haven't been following the drama, 'Stop Killing Games' is basically a gamer revolt against publishers yanking the plug on online games, leaving players stranded and heartbroken. It was sparked, ironically, by Ubisoft's decision to sunset The Crew, and their petition asking the EU to intervene is gaining serious traction, with over 1.4 million signatures. Blimey!
Guillemot, bless his corporate heart, responded to shareholder queries with the classic “we’re living in a society” defense (my words, not his, though the sentiment was definitely there). He argued that players are warned about games being discontinued and pointed to Ubisoft practically *giving away* The Crew 2 in 2024 as a generous attempt to migrate players. 'Nothing is eternal, mate,' he said, which is philosophical, I suppose, but not exactly comforting when you've sunk hundreds of hours into a game.
Here's the kicker: 'Stop Killing Games' isn't demanding eternal life for every online title. They simply want publishers to patch games so they can run on player systems without requiring constant server support. Makes sense, doesn't it? Give the community the tools, and they'll keep the game alive. (Think Minecraft level dedication, but applied to, say, The Division).
But wait, there’s more! During this same shareholder Q&A, Guillemot and CFO Frederick Duguet *casually* mentioned a new Ghost Recon game. Like, it was just slipped in there between discussions of investment from Tencent. An Ubisoft spokesperson confirmed to Game File that, yes, Ghost Recon is indeed getting another outing.
So, what does this all mean? Ubisoft is acknowledging the pressure around game preservation, even as they're prepping to launch a new title in a series known for its tactical gameplay. But (and this is a big 'but'), will this new Ghost Recon learn from the mistakes of the past? Will Ubisoft commit to a proper end-of-life plan that respects players' investments? Or will it eventually face the same fate as The Crew, becoming another casualty of the live-service cycle?
Only time will tell, but I reckon gamers deserve more than just empty promises. We need concrete action, a genuine commitment to preserving the games we love, even when the suits decide they're no longer profitable. And, if it's not too much to ask, maybe hold back on the NFT trousers this time around. Cheers to Rock Paper Shotgun for catching all of this!
Tags: Ubisoft, Ghost Recon, Game Preservation, Stop Killing Games, Live Service Games
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun