The Ubisoft and Steam Saga: A Relationship Reboot
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What happened between Ubisoft and Steam can be summarized as a strategic dance involving exclusivity, economics, and ultimately, a return to broader availability. In early 2019, Ubisoft made a calculated decision to pull its new PC game releases from Steam, opting instead to focus on the Epic Games Store (EGS) and its own Ubisoft Connect platform. This was driven by business considerations related to revenue sharing and a belief that Epic’s model was more beneficial for publishers. However, after a three-year hiatus, Ubisoft began bringing its games back to Steam, starting with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, indicating a shift in strategy to reach a wider audience and potentially capitalize on the growing popularity of platforms like the Steam Deck.
The Initial Departure: Chasing Exclusivity and Better Deals
Revenue Sharing and the Appeal of Epic
The primary driver behind Ubisoft’s initial decision to leave Steam was financial. Steam, while being the dominant force in PC game distribution, takes a significant cut of revenue from game sales. The Epic Games Store, on the other hand, offered a more attractive revenue split to developers and publishers. This meant that for every copy of a game sold, Ubisoft would retain a larger percentage of the revenue. This incentive, coupled with upfront payments for exclusivity deals, made the EGS a financially appealing alternative.
Building Ubisoft Connect: A Centralized Ecosystem
Ubisoft also aimed to strengthen its own platform, Ubisoft Connect (formerly Uplay). By keeping its games exclusive to Ubisoft Connect and the Epic Games Store, the company hoped to drive more players to its own ecosystem, fostering a direct relationship with its player base and retaining complete control over the distribution process. This strategy allowed Ubisoft to manage updates, community engagement, and in-game transactions directly, without relying on third-party platforms.
The Return to Steam: Adapting to a Changing Landscape
Reaching a Broader Audience
After several years of exclusivity, Ubisoft began to recognize the limitations of restricting its games to only the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect. Steam remains the largest PC gaming platform, with a massive and engaged user base. By returning to Steam, Ubisoft could tap into this vast audience and potentially increase game sales and overall revenue.
The Steam Deck Factor
The growing popularity of the Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld gaming device, may have also influenced Ubisoft’s decision. The Steam Deck allows players to access their Steam library on the go, making it an attractive platform for gaming enthusiasts. Bringing Ubisoft games to Steam would make them accessible to Steam Deck users, potentially expanding the company’s market reach.
Acknowledging Player Preferences
Ultimately, the decision to return to Steam likely reflects a recognition of player preferences. While some players were willing to switch to the Epic Games Store or use Ubisoft Connect to play Ubisoft games, many remained loyal to Steam. By making its games available on Steam again, Ubisoft is catering to these players and offering them a more convenient way to access its titles.
Shifting Strategic Priorities
The return to Steam represents a broader strategic shift at Ubisoft. The company’s statement that they are “constantly evaluating how to bring our games to different audiences wherever they are” suggests a more flexible and pragmatic approach to distribution. This approach prioritizes maximizing reach and engaging with players across multiple platforms.
Challenges and the Future
Mixed Reception
The Ubisoft/Steam saga has generated mixed reactions from the gaming community. Some players have welcomed the return to Steam, praising the convenience of having all their games in one place. Others remain critical of Ubisoft’s initial decision to leave Steam, viewing it as a short-sighted attempt to capitalize on exclusivity deals.
Ubisoft’s Ongoing Struggles
Ubisoft has faced challenges in recent years, including allegations of workplace misconduct, creative stagnation, and game cancellations. The company is actively working to address these issues and revitalize its game development pipeline. The GamesLearningSociety.org, explores how games and learning intersect, which could provide valuable insights for Ubisoft as it seeks to innovate and engage players in new ways.
Navigating a Multi-Platform World
The future of Ubisoft’s relationship with Steam remains to be seen. It’s likely that the company will continue to release its games on multiple platforms, including Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect. The key for Ubisoft will be to maintain a consistent player experience across all platforms and to offer compelling content that keeps players engaged.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Ubisoft’s relationship with Steam:
1. Why did Ubisoft initially leave Steam?
Ubisoft left Steam primarily due to financial considerations, seeking a more favorable revenue split on the Epic Games Store and wanting to strengthen its own Ubisoft Connect platform.
2. When did Ubisoft start returning to Steam?
Ubisoft began returning to Steam in 2022, with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla being the first major title to be released on the platform after a three-year absence.
3. What Ubisoft games are currently available on Steam?
As of mid-2023, several Ubisoft games are available on Steam, including Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Far Cry 6, Riders Republic, Rainbow Six Extraction, and Monopoly Madness.
4. Will all Ubisoft games eventually come to Steam?
While there’s no guarantee that all Ubisoft games will eventually come to Steam, the company has indicated a willingness to evaluate different platforms for its releases, suggesting that more games could potentially make their way to Steam in the future.
5. Can I transfer my Ubisoft games from Ubisoft Connect to Steam?
Unfortunately, there is no direct way to transfer Ubisoft games purchased on Ubisoft Connect to Steam. You would need to purchase the game again on Steam.
6. Is Ubisoft Connect required to play Ubisoft games on Steam?
In most cases, Ubisoft Connect is still required to play Ubisoft games purchased on Steam. The game launches through Steam, but it often links to Ubisoft Connect for authentication and other services.
7. Does cross-progression work between Ubisoft Connect and Steam versions of games?
Yes, cross-progression is often supported between the Ubisoft Connect and Steam versions of games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. This allows you to continue your progress regardless of which platform you’re playing on.
8. Has the Steam Deck influenced Ubisoft’s decision to return to Steam?
The popularity of the Steam Deck likely played a role in Ubisoft’s decision to return to Steam, as it allows players to access their Steam library on the go, potentially expanding Ubisoft’s market reach.
9. Is Far Cry 4 being removed from Steam?
There have been no recent announcements about Far Cry 4 being removed from Steam. However, games can be removed for various reasons, such as licensing issues or publisher decisions.
10. Why is Far Cry 6 so large on Steam?
The Steam version of Far Cry 6 can be large due to the inclusion of high-definition textures.
11. Why can’t I buy Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on Steam at launch?
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was not available on Steam at launch as it was an Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect exclusive at the time.
12. Is Ubisoft being acquired by another company?
There have been reports and rumors of potential acquisitions of Ubisoft, but as of late 2023, no definitive deal has materialized. The Guillemot family remains the company’s largest investor.
13. Why are people leaving Ubisoft?
Reports suggest that factors contributing to departures from Ubisoft include low pay, competitive opportunities elsewhere, frustration with creative direction, and concerns about the company’s handling of workplace misconduct.
14. What is Ubisoft doing to address its challenges?
Ubisoft is actively working to address workplace issues, restructure its game development process, and explore new creative directions.
15. How can I unlink my Ubisoft account from Steam?
You can unlink your Ubisoft account from Steam by heading to the Account Information webpage on the Ubisoft website, scrolling down to the Linked accounts section, and selecting Unlink for the Steam platform.
This comprehensive overview captures the nuanced relationship between Ubisoft and Steam, detailing the reasons for the initial departure, the strategic considerations behind the return, and the potential future of this ongoing saga in the ever-evolving landscape of PC gaming.