AC Shadows Won't Have PAID Battle Passes - Luke Reacts

Summary

Ubisoft has addressed rumors about *Assassin’s Creed: Shadows* featuring paid battle passes, clarifying that rewards in the Animus Hub will be entirely free. Despite this, the game will still feature 'projects,' which resemble battle passes in structure but are free to access. The shift in monetization follows a negative reception to previous paid systems, including subscriptions and battle passes. While this pivot is seen as consumer-friendly, skepticism remains about Ubisoft's long-term plans, with many wondering if the company will revert to paid models once the backlash subsides.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ubisoft has clarified that *Assassin's Creed: Shadows* will not feature paid battle passes, despite earlier leaks suggesting otherwise.
• 😀 The term 'battle pass' is not being used for the game, but a similar system will be implemented under the name 'projects', offering challenges to unlock rewards like cosmetics and crafting materials.
• 😀 The Animus Hub, the rebranded platform for *Assassin's Creed Infinity*, will provide regular free content and missions, with no extra cost for players.
• 😀 Leaked information suggested a paid battle pass and subscription system, but these have been scrapped in favor of a free model in response to previous backlash and changes in Ubisoft's approach.
• 😀 Ubisoft had originally planned to include paid content, such as subscriptions and expansions, but pivoted after negative reactions to other game launches like *Star Wars Outlaws*.
• 😀 The shift to free content comes after a period of skepticism regarding Ubisoft’s monetization practices, which have included controversial paid DLC models and NFTs.
• 😀 The term 'paid battle pass' is specifically ruled out in Ubisoft's statement, but the company still plans to implement a reward system that functions similarly to battle passes.
• 😀 Despite the shift to a free model, there are still concerns that Ubisoft may return to paid models for monetization in the future, especially if they feel they can avoid backlash.
• 😀 The community remains skeptical, as Ubisoft has a history of experimenting with monetization strategies and sometimes backtracking on promises for the sake of profit.
• 😀 The overall tone of the article suggests cautious optimism, acknowledging that Ubisoft's changes are a step in the right direction but questioning the long-term intentions behind these decisions.

Q & A

What was the primary issue addressed in the IGN article regarding *Assassin's Creed: Shadows*?

The IGN article aimed to clarify and debunk rumors about the inclusion of paid battle passes in *Assassin's Creed: Shadows*, after leaks and datamines suggested they might be part of the game's monetization strategy.

Did Ubisoft confirm that *Assassin's Creed: Shadows* would have a battle pass system?

Ubisoft confirmed that there would be no paid battle passes in *Assassin's Creed: Shadows*. However, they did clarify that the game would include a system similar to battle passes, referred to as 'projects' or another term.

What is the key difference between the system Ubisoft is implementing and traditional paid battle passes?

The main difference is that Ubisoft’s 'projects' or similar systems will be free, offering rewards and challenges without requiring players to pay, unlike traditional paid battle passes that lock content behind a paywall.

What is the concern raised about the phrasing of IGN's article headline?

The concern is that the article headline states *AC Shadows* is not getting a battle pass, which is misleading because Ubisoft never said there wouldn’t be a battle pass system—just that it wouldn’t be a paid one.

What did the leakers and dataminers suggest about *Assassin's Creed: Shadows* before Ubisoft's clarification?

Before Ubisoft's clarification, leaks suggested that *Assassin's Creed: Shadows* would feature paid battle passes as part of the game's monetization model, with players paying for rewards and content.

What monetization changes did Ubisoft make for *Assassin's Creed: Shadows* following the backlash around previous models?

Ubisoft shifted away from paid battle passes and paid subscription models, opting instead for free content updates and missions, which aligns more with a pro-consumer approach in response to previous backlash against monetization strategies.

How does Ubisoft’s shift in monetization for *Assassin's Creed: Shadows* relate to its past strategies?

Ubisoft’s shift reflects a departure from its previous monetization strategies, such as paid season passes and subscriptions, likely in response to negative feedback from the community and the commercial failure of other releases like *Star Wars Outlaws*.

Why does the narrator of the video express skepticism about Ubisoft's motivations for the shift?

The narrator is skeptical because they believe Ubisoft’s shift away from paid content might be a reactive measure due to past backlash, rather than a genuine, long-term commitment to consumer-friendly practices.

What was Ubisoft's initial approach to monetizing *Assassin's Creed: Shadows*, and how did that change?

Initially, Ubisoft was reportedly experimenting with paid subscriptions and battle passes. However, after facing criticism and delays, they pivoted to offer all content and missions for free, scrapping the paid models in favor of free 'projects' and content updates.

What other potential monetization methods does Ubisoft continue to explore, despite the shift for *Assassin's Creed: Shadows*?

Despite the shift for *Assassin's Creed: Shadows*, Ubisoft continues to explore other monetization avenues, such as microtransactions and NFTs, which has led to further skepticism about their commitment to consumer-friendly practices.