Ubisoft's Mega Shift: Focusing on Familiar Franchises for Stability
In a bold move, gaming giant Ubisoft has announced a significant reorganization of its business strategy, focusing on the development of big open-world games and live service titles. This shift comes as part of an industry-wide trend, with publishers like EA and Sony also opting for fewer, bigger games to mitigate risk.
The New Ubisoft: Five Creative Houses
Under the new structure, Ubisoft games will be developed by five Creative Houses, each specializing in specific genres and franchises. For instance, Vantage Studios will be responsible for turning Ubisoft's biggest franchises into annual billion-dollar brands, including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. Other studios will focus on competitive shooters, live service games, fantasy and narrative-driven universes, and casual games.
Familiar Faces, Fewer New Franchises
While the new structure promises to leverage Ubisoft's established franchises, it also signals a shift towards relying more on known brands rather than branching out. This strategy has led to the cancellation of several games in development, including Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. However, only four new franchises are currently in development, indicating a focus on proven successes over innovation.
Risk Aversion: A Double-Edged Sword
The strategy of focusing on established franchises to reduce risk is not without its drawbacks. As Joost van Dreunen, a New York University games professor, points out, this approach can lead to recycling proven franchises instead of developing new experiences. This could potentially result in higher prices for big-budget sequels, a concern for consumers.
The North East Connection
The gaming industry's shift towards risk-aversion strategies has implications for the North East region and India as a whole. As global publishers focus on their proven franchises, there may be fewer opportunities for new, local IPs to break through. However, this also presents an opportunity for indie developers to fill the void with innovative, fresh ideas.
The Future of Blockbuster Games
Ubisoft's shift is reflective of a broader trend in the gaming industry, with companies like EA and Sony following suit. This strategy may prove successful in the short term, but it raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the industry. As we move forward, we can expect to see more of the same familiar faces in the gaming world, with Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six likely to dominate the landscape.