A recent analysis of Ubisoft’s quarterly performance and upcoming slate of titles has created a bit of buzz in the gaming news cycle. With most focusing their attention on how Ubisoft had an exceedingly good quarter, most have overlooked the warnings of potential delays and revenue generation downturns. All as a result of the unfolding Great Recession and the possible upcoming Great Depression 2.0 Economic Boogaloo.
Complimenting the reports is a Twitter posting from a senior analyst at Niko Partners, Daniel Ahmad. Detailing Ubisoft’s aforementioned upcoming release window, along with statements from Yves Guillemot on the future of the company.
Yves Guillemot says targets for this year remain on track. But that the coming months will provide more visibility on plans and release dates.
Depending on the situation of COVID-19, the release of one of the five AAA titles could be postponed to beyond April 2021. pic.twitter.com/zRi03ttpVd
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) May 14, 2020
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Yves Guillemot conclude “Our initial targets for 2020-21 remain in sight as we are currently benefiting from excellent momentum, especially with stronger than anticipated performance in back catalog, digital and PRI, coupled with the most ambitious line-up of the industry for the year.”
“Targets” in this sense refer to projected earnings, not projected release dates of their titles. What Guillemot is stating in simple terms is they will meet their projected earnings for the quarter rather than falling short as they did last year when they had to downgrade and reassess their earnings for the coming years.
That optimism extends solely to the quarter as Guillemot goes on to caution of potential delays and release revisions.
“However, the Covid-19 crisis calls for prudence, as the numerous uncertainties have arisen. The transition to working from home has had short-term repercussions on our production, for the time being limited to a few weeks.. The coming months will provide more visibility on whether we can maintain our release plans. Additionally, it is unclear what effects the economic crisis is going to have on the operating conditions of our business partners and on consumer spending. For the sake of transparency and in order to reflect the potential impact of those external uncertainties, we have decided to supplement our targets with a range. The bottom range represents our estimate of the impact that these external factors could have if they were to actually materialize. It notably reflects the possibility that we decide to postpone the release of a AAA title to 2021-22, if it ensures to maximizing the long-term potential of our line-up.”
Essentially Covid-19 provides an excellent excuse for any delays and a downturn in economic performance. It also offers ample justification for delay any title in development. Regardless of whether said delay is because the game needs more time, an overhaul, or to move it into a better release window.
Ubisoft lineup for this fiscal year (Apr 1, 2020 – Mar 31, 2021) includes:
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Watch Dogs Legion
Rainbow Six Quarantine
Gods & Monsters
Unannounced AAA
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Roller Champions
Brawhalla
Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad (Mobile)
& more pic.twitter.com/fUNMTGG8Io— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) May 14, 2020
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In the same analysis, it is confirmed another established franchise has a title in development. This is either a reference to a new entry in the Far Cry series or the announcement of the long-teased return of the Splinter Cell series.
For those curious as to what Deep Social Layers means in ordinary English, it merely refers to games designed to keep players engaged and spending money. Typically through interactions in a multiplayer space.
When looking at the remaining confirmed titles, it is important to remember that their confirmation comes with the modifier they could be delayed to as far back as 2022. Of particular note is Watch Dogs Legions. A game rumored to be delayed, it is one that demonizes the Boris regime along with the citizenry of the United Kingdom as Xenophobic, racist, and essentially Neo-Nazis.
Similar to how Rainbow Six: Patriots attempted to portray Conservative Americans and Occupy Wall-Street protestors as terrorists before having its lead developers terminated and the game retooled into Seige. A fate that could befall Watch Dogs: Legion.
Alternatively, if corporate has no faith in the franchise, they may just kick it out the door to die and blame the loss on the economic downturn caused by Covid-19. As it certainly won’t be a result of any shortcomings on the part of the product or its political agitprop nature.
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