June 29th 2024.
As a fan of the Assassin's Creed series, I have often found myself defending it against criticism. While I wouldn't call it my favorite franchise or the pinnacle of gaming, I have genuinely enjoyed most of the games I've played and always look forward to new releases. However, I can't help but feel a bit skeptical about the recent news of multiple new games in development. It seems like yearly sequels may once again become the norm, and that's not something I'm particularly excited about.
When I first heard the rumor about nine new games in the works, I brushed it off as just that - a rumor. But then, the boss of Ubisoft himself confirmed that there are already multiple remakes in the works, in addition to the Shadows and Hexe games previously announced. Suddenly, that nine-game rumor doesn't seem so far-fetched. In fact, it might even be an underestimate.
I don't think it needs to be said, but nine games in a franchise where each one follows a similar formula, with a different setting and a mix of old-school and modern gameplay, is excessive. The blog from Ubisoft's boss states that the goal is to have more frequent releases, but with each one offering a unique experience. While that's a nice thought, I can't help but wonder if the differences between each game will be significant enough to justify a yearly release. I highly doubt that one game will be a flight simulator while another is a dating game.
This obsession with churning out more and more games seems to be a trend among publishers this year. Layoffs, a shift towards live service games, and multi-platform releases have become the norm. Ubisoft has already been trying to find success with live service games for years, but their only hit so far has been Rainbow Six Siege. It seems like they've finally realized that it's not the answer, so now they're doubling down on what they know works. But surely they must also realize that saturating the market with too many titles will only lead to burnout and fatigue among players.
Personally, if a new Assassin's Creed game came out every three years, I would likely buy them all. However, if they start releasing them every year, I can see myself getting tired of the series and not buying any of them. And I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way. Having too much of a good thing is a common problem, and I fear that Ubisoft's obsession with quantity over quality may lead to the downfall of the franchise.
But it's not just Ubisoft that seems to be heading down this path. If every year is filled with the same six big-budget games, things are going to get stale very quickly. Variety is the spice of life, and I hope other publishers will also take note before it's too late. As a reader, these are my thoughts, and they may not necessarily reflect the views of GameCentral or Metro. But I do hope that my concerns are taken into consideration, and we don't see a return to yearly sequels becoming the norm once again.
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