Ubisoft, the French video game publisher, has recently returned to Steam, the popular gaming platform owned by Valve Corporation. This move marks a significant shift in Ubisoft’s strategy, as the company had previously chosen to release its games exclusively on Epic Games Store, in an attempt to avoid paying the hefty 30% cut of sales to Valve Corporation.
A Change in Strategy
Ubisoft’s decision to return to Steam marks a significant shift in the company’s strategy. In 2022, Ubisoft added Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Anno 1800 to Steam, and in 2023, the company rolled out other games like The Division 2 and Watch Dogs: Legion, which were not previously available on the Valve-owned platform. Ubisoft had previously chosen to release its games exclusively on Epic Games Store, as it charged a smaller cut of sales to the developing studio. However, pre-orders for The Division 2 increased by six times on Ubisoft’s storefront, prompting the company to reconsider its strategy.
The Return to Steam
Ubisoft’s return to Steam suggests that the size of Valve’s user base is larger than that of the Epic Games Store. Ubisoft has stated that it is “constantly evaluating how to bring our games to different audiences wherever they are.” The company’s return to Steam is part of this effort to reach a broader audience.
Ubisoft+ Gaming Subscription Service
In addition to returning to Steam, Ubisoft has also rolled out the Ubisoft+ gaming subscription service for Xbox console users. This online gaming streaming service is available in multiple countries, including India and the US, and users need to sign up for the Ubisoft+ Multi Access tier, which costs $17.99 (nearly Rs 1,470) plus tax per month, excluding taxes.
The Future of Ubisoft
Ubisoft’s return to Steam marks a significant shift in the company’s strategy, and it will be interesting to see how the company continues to adapt to the changing gaming landscape. As the popularity of gaming subscription services continues to grow, it is likely that Ubisoft will continue to explore new ways to bring its games to different audiences.
1. What are the games released by Ubisoft on Steam in 2022 and 2023?
2. Why did Ubisoft decide to release new games on Steam despite the 30% cut Valve takes on sales?
3. What is the Ubisoft+ gaming subscription service for Xbox console users?
4. In which countries is the Ubisoft+ gaming subscription service available?
5. How much does the Ubisoft+ Multi Access tier subscription cost per month?
