In its lengthy new annual financial report, Ubisoft has discussed how an extended timeline for developing a game could lead to more harm than good. While the company acknowledged that releasing a game “without it being sufficiently developed” can be quite harmful to its release, it also noted that releasing a game too late could hinder its success just as much in the modern market.
In a section about how a game’s launch could be compromised by a variety of factors, the company pointed to things like technical issues, poorly targeted marketing, “or a promise not kept in the final version of the game, which can lead to significant disappointment among players and damage the game’s reputation.”
Ubisoft went on to point out that “a game’s business model can evolve considerably between the time its production is decided and its release, to the point where it no longer meets market expectations.” An example of this is “an inappropriate release schedule”, like “launching a game early, without it being sufficiently developed, or releasing it at the same time as competing games – whether AAA games or games incorporating major technical/artistic innovations – or at the same time as in-game events, major updates with little advanced notice, or content for older successful games, can significantly limit its commercial impact.”
“Conversely, releasing a game too late – when market anticipation has waned, and it no longer meets market standards in a highly competitive environment – can also hinder its success.”
While Ubisoft didn’t mention any particular project by name for this section, it’s hard not to think about how it has left fans of the Far Cry franchise in the dark in the years following the release of Far Cry 6. New entries in the Far Cry series have been confirmed to be in development as recently as February this year. However, aside from CEO Yves Guillemot’s statement that there are “two very promising projects” in the works, no real details have been officially revealed.
Rumors have indicated the next Far Cry game will feature “high-stakes PvEvP” action with gameplay systems and mechanics inspired by the extraction shooter genre. This means that players will have to set off on expeditions to scavenge for loot while doing their best to survive harsh environments. The title is also expected to have a 72-hour time limit that will push players further along the narrative.
The story itself will reportedly revolve around the player’s attempts to rescue six of their family members. While doing this, they will also have to deal with gameplay systems like the degradation of weapon durability and environmental hazards like local fauna, which will seemingly include grizzly bears and wolves.
A report from back in April alleged that the development of Far Cry 7 has been quite harsh, with Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson and Mike Straw claiming that the project has been “going through hell and back right now”.
The last entry in the franchise – Far Cry 6 – was released back in 2021 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
