Baldur's Gate 3 Director Calls Ubisoft's Sales Strategy Unwise

Ubisoft's recent decision to prioritize subscriptions over traditional game sales has sparked criticism from industry insiders. Michael Douse, publishing director at Baldur's Gate 3, voiced his strong disapproval on social media, highlighting the poor performance of recent titles and how this strategy could harm both game developers and consumers. He pointed out that the last notable game released on Ubisoft's platform was Far Cry 6 in 2021, indicating a decline in engagement with their store. Douse argues that if gamers are pushed to accept subscription models, developers might face job insecurity if they're committed to producing critically acclaimed games. This commentary comes in the wake of Ubisoft's mishandling of the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown launch, which was initially only available through Ubisoft Connect, leading to limited visibility and sales.

Douse criticized Ubisoft's choice to prioritize subscriptions over game ownership, suggesting it could jeopardize both developers' job security and potential game success. He pointed to the mediocre performance of their recent titles and expressed that the strategy seems "broken" and illogical from a business perspective.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a recent addition to the iconic franchise, aiming to revive the classic action-adventure gameplay while introducing modern mechanics. It struggled at launch due to a limited distribution strategy, being available solely on Ubisoft’s platforms and Epic Games Store initially, reflecting broader concerns about how distribution decisions can impact sales and player engagement in today’s digital landscape.