Games

Ubisoft CEO Defends $70 Price Tag for Skull and Bones, Labels It a 'Quadruple-A Game'

Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft CEO, justifies the $70 price of Skull and Bones by emphasizing the game's size and classifying it as a 'quadruple-A game'
Ubisoft CEO Defends $70 Price Tag for Skull and Bones, Labels It a 'Quadruple-A Game'

Highlights

  • Ubisoft CEO justifies the $70 price for Skull and Bones, citing the game's extensive content and long-term value.
  • Beta testers express discontent with Skull and Bones, citing boredom, absence of anticipated features, and subpar dialogue.
  • Players have the chance to try out the game through the open beta, which supports cross-play and progress transfer to the full game.

Debates surrounding the pricing of AAA games have persisted, yet Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot firmly believes that the upcoming Skull and Bones warrants its $70 price tag. Scheduled for release on February 16, Skull and Bones not only offers a full AAA experience but also incorporates live-service elements.

Unveiled by Ubisoft at E3 2017, this open-world pirate adventure was conceptualized in 2013, with primary development led by Ubisoft Singapore. Originally conceived as a multiplayer expansion for Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, it evolved into a standalone game. However, the game's development journey was riddled with challenges including leadership changes, directional shifts, scope alterations, high staff turnover, and budget overruns. Despite the imminent release, reports from Skull and Bones beta testers have been discouraging.

Ubisoft's Perspective on Skull and Bones' Pricing

During an earnings call for the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal year, Ubisoft provided insights into the rationale behind the $70 price for Skull and Bones. Guillemot emphasized that the game's extensive content justifies the premium price, dismissing suggestions that a free-to-play model would have been more suitable. He asserted that the game, being a 'quadruple-A game,' merits the full upfront cost and will deliver value over the long term.

These remarks were in response to concerns raised by a participant regarding the game's pricing strategy. Given its heavy reliance on live-service elements, the participant proposed that a free-to-play approach might attract a larger player base and foster a dedicated community. However, Guillemot expressed a divergent viewpoint.

While the Ubisoft CEO's confidence in the game is evident, its actual standing remains uncertain. In December, reports emerged of beta testers abandoning Skull and Bones due to tedium. Some testers quit after just an hour, citing the absence of anticipated features such as sword fights, uninteresting quests, and inadequate dialogue. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the game's core ship combat, encountering recurring issues from a previous beta. Although this information is dated, it is unclear how much has evolved since then.

Thankfully, individuals can now form their own judgments as the Skull and Bones open beta commenced on February 7 and will run until 6:00 PM Eastern/3:00 PM Pacific on February 11. The beta supports cross-play on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with players able to carry over their progress to the full game. Moreover, purchasers of the $100 Premium Edition can access Skull and Bones three days in advance.

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