Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot recently admitted the company had been making a number of bad games, but promised to course correct.
A screenshot from Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023), Ubisoft
In the company’s FY 24 Q3 Sales report, Guillemot stated, “This quarter provided us with positive momentum and marks the beginning of our turnaround to consistently creating and delivering high-quality, long-lasting games.”
He continued, “Our performance was driven by the releases of Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, by the continued strong trajectory of The Crew Motorfest, as well as by the robust performance of our backcatalog.”
A screenshot from Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023), Ubisoft
As for the games boosting their backcatalog, Guillemot said, “The latter was propelled by the success of Rainbow Six Siege, which achieved sharp net bookings and playtime growth, and by the overall Assassin’s Creed franchise that benefitted from the launch of Assassin’s Creed Mirage.”
He added, “The robustness and longevity of our back-catalog is a tribute to the attention we have had in consistently delivering high-quality titles that are loved by fans.”
A screenshot from Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (2023), Ubisoft
While Guillemot touted the company plans a turnaround, the sales report indicated their sales were down for not only the quarter, but the first nine months of the year.
The report states, “IFRS 15 sales for the third quarter of 2023-24 came to €606.4 million, down 21.5% (19.5% at constant exchange rates). For the first nine months of 2023-24, IFRS 15 sales amounted to €1,442,5 million, down 4.1% (1.9% at constant exchange rates).”
It also added, “Net bookings for the third-quarter 2023-24 totaled €626.2 million, slightly ahead of the Group’s target of around €610 million and representing a decrease of 13.8% (11.7% at constant exchange rates).”
It did see a small gain in net bookings for the first nine months of the year, “For the first nine months of 2023-24, net bookings stood at €1,448.6 million, up +1.6% (3.9% at constant exchange rates).”
A screenshot of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (2024), Ubisoft
As far as the company’s outlook for 2024, it shared, “The company confirms its financial targets of strong topline growth and full year non-IFRS operating income
of approximately €400 million.”
Furthermore, it stated, “Q4 net bookings are expected sharply up, leading to record annual net bookings. This quarter includes a line-up with Skull and Bones and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on the premium side, a limited contribution from XDefiant on the free-to-play side, follow-on sales of prior quarters releases, a strong back catalog relying on a heavy Live services program and significant partnerships including the non-exclusive licensing of streaming rights for the console & PC Activision Blizzard games.
A screenshot from XDefiant (2023), Ubisoft
What do you make of Guillemot admitting the company was not making good games?
I wouldn’t say he was admitting to making bad games, but yeah, it at least sounds like they see the need to course correct. The question is, in what direction?
How about a new 3D Rayman game? It should be the true Rayman 4, and be an open-world action-adventure platformer. Think Rayman 2 and 3, but on an even grander scale.