AJSN WK5A - Ubisoft CANCELS 6 GAMES, CLOSES 2 STUDIOS! Shares PLUMMET, Highguard's Marketing Speaks!

Quick Overview

Ubisoft confirmed the cancellation of six announced titles, including the Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake and a mobile Division game, leading to internal restructuring and layoffs, which the hosts critique as poor management prioritizing high-revenue projects over potentially valuable but less immediately profitable ones like the cancelled titles.

Key Points: Ubisoft cancelled six announced games, including the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake and a mobile Division title, due to poor reception of initial trailers and development challenges. The cancelled Prince of Persia remake was reportedly a $100 million investment that was in development since 2020, with rumors suggesting it was due for release soon. The hosts criticize Ubisoft for prioritizing shareholder value over potentially good games, noting that the cancelled projects might have been successful if given more time or better focus. Ubisoft is reportedly shifting resources to live-service games and other high-revenue projects like the announced Division Heartland, while laying off staff in other areas. The hosts mention that even existing profitable franchises like Assassin's Creed might face similar cuts if they don't meet high revenue expectations. The discussion highlights a trend of large publishers cancelling projects due to internal politics or financial pressure rather than creative merit.

Context: The video features a news segment from 'The Angry Joe Show' where the hosts discuss recent major cancellations and restructuring at Ubisoft, specifically focusing on the cancellation of several highly anticipated titles after years of development, which they attribute to corporate focus on immediate revenue over creative risks.

Detailed Analysis

The hosts discuss significant news regarding Ubisoft, primarily the cancellation of six announced games, including the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake and a Division mobile title. The Prince of Persia remake, which reportedly cost $100 million and was in development since 2020, was cancelled despite positive early reception from some industry figures like Jeff Key. The hosts express strong disapproval of Ubisoft's decision, viewing it as prioritizing shareholder returns over potentially quality games, particularly citing the cancellation of the potentially great but unannounced sequel to Beyond Good and Evil 2. The news also confirmed the cancellation of the Splinter Cell remake and other titles like the rumored Assassin's Creed set in ancient India. The hosts note that Ubisoft is focusing development efforts on live-service titles like The Division Heartland, which is free-to-play, while cutting other projects, suggesting a corporate culture that punishes risk-taking and values immediate profit over long-term brand building. The hosts believe this decision-making process is harmful to the industry, especially when it involves canceling projects after significant investment.