Ubisoft on the Brink? Scandals, Creative Stagnation, and a Glimmer of Hope

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In the world of gaming, few names have shone as brightly—or as controversially—as Ubisoft. Known for blockbuster franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Watch Dogs, Ubisoft was once a juggernaut, a creative powerhouse rivaling the likes of EA and Activision. But in recent years, the French publisher has stumbled. Hard.

From internal scandals to failed innovations and increasingly recycled game formulas, Ubisoft now seems to be teetering on the edge. Is the company truly dying, or can it still claw its way back into relevance? Let’s take a deep, human look at what’s going wrong—and what might still go right.

Once a Giant: Ubisoft’s Golden Era

To understand Ubisoft’s decline, we first need to appreciate just how high the company once flew.

The 2007 launch of Assassin’s Creed rewrote the rules for open-world games. A year later, Far Cry 2 took first-person shooters into immersive, sandbox territory. And then there was Rayman Legends, Prince of Persia, and the surprisingly heartwarming Valiant Hearts. Ubisoft became a household name not only because of its massive franchises, but because it genuinely pushed creative boundaries.

At one point, Ubisoft’s commitment to new IPs and massive open worlds felt refreshing. Studios like Ubisoft Montreal and Ubisoft Quebec were synonymous with innovation and craft.

Fast-forward to today, and things couldn’t feel more different.

The Scandals That Shook the Core

Ubisoft’s first major cracks didn’t appear in its game engine—but in its company culture.

In 2020, several high-level executives were accused of sexual harassment, misconduct, and creating a toxic workplace environment. The allegations didn’t come from one or two disgruntled employees—it was an avalanche. Reports surfaced of HR ignoring complaints, managers abusing power, and systemic rot at the top. Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft’s CEO, promised reforms. Some execs were let go. But for many, the damage was already done.

Suddenly, fans weren't just upset about buggy launches—they were questioning the soul of the company.

The scandals caused a domino effect: developers left, projects stalled, morale tanked. Ubisoft’s brand became synonymous not with innovation, but controversy.

And while the lawsuits and headlines faded, the aftershocks are still being felt today.

Creative Stagnation: Sequel After Sequel

Let’s face it—Ubisoft’s biggest franchises are starting to feel... the same.

Assassin’s Creed, once the cutting-edge of historical open-world action, has been diluted by annual releases and bloated maps. Valhalla was massive, yes—but many players found it tedious. Even fans began asking, “Do we need another 100-hour AC game every year?”

Far Cry hasn’t fared much better. Far Cry 6 promised a return to roots, with charismatic villain Giancarlo Esposito leading the charge. But beneath the marketing, it was yet another checklist-driven open world. The same outposts, the same AI, the same gunplay.

Then there’s The Division, Ghost Recon, Riders Republic... all technically fine, but largely unremarkable. Ubisoft has become a master of "just okay"—safe, formulaic, uninspired.

It’s not that gamers don’t love open-world games. But we’re in an era of Elden Ring, Tears of the Kingdom, and Baldur’s Gate 3. Players are hungry for surprises, depth, and emotional resonance. Ubisoft hasn’t delivered that in years.

Gimmicks, Live Services, and NFT Missteps

In trying to keep up with trends, Ubisoft has often chased them blindly—and failed.

Remember Hyperscape? No? Exactly. Ubisoft’s foray into the battle royale space was dead within a year. Then there was XDefiant, a confused attempt to blend Call of Duty gameplay with Ubisoft IPs. It spent months in beta limbo and failed to generate hype, even with aggressive YouTuber marketing.

Then came the NFT fiasco. Ubisoft’s Quartz platform aimed to introduce blockchain items into Ghost Recon Breakpoint. Fans weren’t just confused—they were angry. Nobody asked for NFTs, especially not in a game that was already fading. Ubisoft seemed disconnected from its core players, chasing Silicon Valley buzzwords instead of listening to its community.

Worse, the focus on live service games meant many beloved single-player franchises were left to rot. Prince of Persia fans have been begging for a real remake. Splinter Cell? Practically abandoned for a decade—until a remake was announced, and then indefinitely delayed.

Overworked Studios, Rushed Releases

Behind the scenes, Ubisoft’s production model has also come under fire.

The company’s "Ubisoft Production Line"—a pipeline where multiple global studios contribute to one massive game—was once a marvel of international collaboration. But now, it feels bloated and inefficient. Developers have spoken about creative burnout, conflicting visions, and missed deadlines.

The result? Games that launch too early, too broken, or too lifeless.

Skull and Bones, originally announced in 2017, has been delayed more times than we can count. It became a running joke in the community—until it finally released in early 2024, only to be met with mixed reviews and low player counts.

Meanwhile, innovation has taken a backseat. Ubisoft’s games rarely surprise anymore. Even the aesthetics—menus, HUDs, map markers—feel copy-pasted between franchises. It’s as if the company is stuck in its own formula, unwilling or unable to break free.

But There Is Still Hope: Glimpses of Change

Here’s the thing: Ubisoft isn’t dead. Not yet.

In recent months, there have been promising signs of life. Assassin’s Creed Mirage, released in late 2023, was a smaller, tighter experience. Set in Baghdad and focused on stealth, it harkened back to the franchise’s roots. It wasn’t perfect—but it felt like a genuine attempt to listen to fans.

Then there’s Star Wars Outlaws, scheduled for 2025. This is Ubisoft’s biggest bet in years—a brand-new open-world Star Wars game developed by Massive Entertainment. Early previews have been cautiously optimistic. A single-player focus, rich storytelling, and detailed environments? That’s the Ubisoft we remember.

Also worth noting: the long-awaited Splinter Cell Remake is still in development. And Beyond Good and Evil 2—once thought vaporware—is reportedly still alive (barely). Whether these games ever see the light of day is another question, but fans are holding onto hope.

Internally, Ubisoft has reportedly undergone restructuring. Several underperforming live service projects have been canceled. There's talk of empowering smaller creative teams and moving away from formulaic checklists.

In an age where players are gravitating towards games with heart—like Hades, Hi-Fi Rush, or Pentiment—Ubisoft needs to rediscover its soul. The pieces are there. But time is running out.

The Competition Has Moved On

It’s also important to recognize the broader industry shift. Ubisoft is no longer competing against just EA or Activision. Today’s game landscape includes:

Indies: From Hollow Knight to Stardew Valley, small teams are building masterpieces on a fraction of Ubisoft’s budget.
Sony & Nintendo: PlayStation and Switch exclusives continue to deliver cinematic, emotional storytelling—something Ubisoft once aimed for.
Microsoft & Game Pass: With Xbox pushing cloud gaming and accessible libraries, players are exploring more diverse titles than ever.

Ubisoft’s traditional “massive open world” model is being outpaced by depth, not just size. Quantity alone no longer impresses. Players want meaning, not just markers.

What Must Ubisoft Do Now?

If Ubisoft wants to survive—let alone thrive—it must radically shift its approach. Here’s what many believe needs to happen:

Listen to Players: Genuinely hear the community. No more tone-deaf projects nobody asked for.
Empower Creatives: Let small, passionate teams build unique experiences. Don’t smother them with corporate templates.
Take Risks Again: Remember the days of Child of Light and Valiant Hearts? Go back to that spirit.
Fix the Culture: A healthy work environment leads to better games. Period.
Cut the Bloat: Not every game needs 200 side quests. Tight, focused design often leaves a deeper impression.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy Worth Saving

Is Ubisoft dying? Not quite. But it is dangerously close to becoming irrelevant.

The company once inspired millions with its daring ideas and breathtaking worlds. Now, it's in a soul-searching phase—trying to win back trust, spark creativity, and find its place in an industry that’s evolved without waiting.

The good news? Redemption is possible. The game industry loves a comeback story. But Ubisoft must act fast, think deeply, and—most of all—remember what made it beloved in the first place.

Because no one wants to see a legend fade away. Not like this.

MIDNICHE