Ubisoft CEO Plans to Focus on Open World and Live Service Games
In a recent Q&A following Ubisoft’s Q3 financial results for the 2024-25 fiscal year, CEO Yves Guillemot reaffirmed the company’s commitment to investing in open-world action-adventure titles and live service games as its core development pillars. As originally reported by Video Games Chronicle, Guillemot explained that the company’s strategy to overcome current challenges and steer out of troubled waters is to continue building on its established formula. When pressed for details regarding the development pipeline, he confirmed that Ubisoft plans to focus on enduring franchises such as Assassin’s Creed for open-world adventures, while also bolstering its live service offerings like Rainbow Six Siege. This dual approach is particularly noteworthy in light of recent decisions to shutter live service projects, including XDefiant, whose servers are scheduled to close in June 2025.
Guillemot stated, “We have been investing significantly for a big pipeline of products for the coming years along our two verticals, these being open-world action-adventure as well as ‘Game as a Service’-native experiences. And that's what we want to deliver year after year.” Among the titles already mentioned in this strategic vision is Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest installment in the long-running series. Despite facing controversy and multiple pushbacks since its initial planned release last year, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now set for release on 20 March 2025 and has already garnered pre-order numbers comparable to those of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the franchise’s second most successful entry in terms of unit sales.
Additionally, Guillemot highlighted other upcoming projects, such as Anno 117: Pax Romana and The Division: Resurgence on mobile, promising that further details for FY 2026 will be shared by May. While Ubisoft’s recent history has been marred by frequent studio closures, layoffs, and underwhelming performance from investments like Star Wars Outlaws, this renewed focus on proven genres and strong franchises may offer a pathway to redemption. Whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows can indeed serve as the company’s saving grace remains to be seen, but the tentative release date suggests that Ubisoft is moving forward with a calculated plan to regain its footing.
What are your thoughts on Ubisoft’s renewed focus on open-world and live service games? Do you think titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows can help turn things around for Ubisoft, or will the ongoing challenges in the industry continue to hold the company back? Share your opinions below!
