Ubisoft: Recent Updates on Games, Studios, and Strategy

Ubisoft has had a rollercoaster start to 2025. The company is juggling game updates, financial struggles, studio closures, and a push into blockchain gaming, all while trying to keep its biggest franchises alive. It’s a mix of smart moves, missed opportunities, and tough decisions, leaving many wondering: where is Ubisoft headed?

On the positive side, the publisher is continuing to support older games, with titles like Far Cry New Dawn receiving surprise FPS patches. But its new releases aren’t hitting the mark, as seen with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, which, despite great reviews, didn’t sell as expected. Meanwhile, Ubisoft is making deep cost cuts, shutting down Ubisoft Leamington and laying off 185 employees across multiple studios.

All eyes are now on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, one of Ubisoft’s most anticipated games, which could be the boost the company desperately needs. At the same time, Ubisoft continues to bet on blockchain gaming, integrating its Champions Tactics NFTs into The Sandbox despite mixed industry reception.

With rumors of potential investment or acquisition looming, Ubisoft is in a make-or-break phase. Can it reinvent itself and bounce back, or is it headed for further decline? Let’s dive into everything happening at Ubisoft right now.

1. Making Headlines!

Ubisoft has been making headlines lately, and not just for its games. The company is balancing several big moves—releasing updates for older titles, dealing with studio closures and layoffs, and pushing deeper into blockchain gaming. It’s a mix of good news, bad news, and strategic pivots that paint a picture of a company navigating both challenges and opportunities.

On one hand, Ubisoft is showing love to its older games, like Far Cry New Dawn, with a surprise 60 FPS patch for PS5. On the other, it’s struggling to meet sales expectations, as seen with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and making tough decisions by shutting down its Leamington studio and laying off 185 employees. Meanwhile, the company is doubling down on Web3, expanding its presence in The Sandbox metaverse with NFTs from Champions Tactics.

All of this raises a big question: where is Ubisoft headed? Is this a company tightening its belt for long-term success, or one struggling to find its footing?

2. Old But Not Forgotten: Ubisoft Enhances Far Cry New Dawn for PS5

Ubisoft is showing that it hasn’t forgotten about its older games. Over the weekend, the company announced a 60 FPS patch for Far Cry New Dawn on PS5, giving the 2019 spin-off a smoother experience for players. The timing isn’t random—this update lines up with the game’s arrival on Xbox Game Pass on February 4th, ensuring that both Xbox and PlayStation players get an improved version.

For Xbox Series X|S users, this means losing the FPS Boost feature temporarily, as Ubisoft had to disable it to apply the update. But for PS5 owners, it’s just a simple patch to the PS4 version. If you have a PS Plus Extra subscription, you can try the enhanced version at no extra cost.

This move isn’t an isolated case. Ubisoft has been quietly patching several older games for modern hardware over the years. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, The Crew 2, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Far Cry 5, and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate have all received FPS boosts on next-gen consoles.

It’s a refreshing approach, considering how many publishers leave older games behind once they’ve moved on to new releases. Ubisoft’s strategy of enhancing legacy titles keeps them relevant, increases their replay value, and gives players a reason to revisit them. With more titles landing on subscription services like Game Pass and PS Plus, it’s a smart way to extend the life cycle of games and keep players engaged.

Now, the question is: will this trend continue? And if so, which game should get the next FPS patch?

3. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown – Great Reviews, Disappointing Sales

Ubisoft's Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown had all the right ingredients for success—strong reviews, a well-received Metroidvania-style gameplay, and the return of a beloved franchise. But despite the critical praise, it didn’t hit Ubisoft’s sales targets.

According to a now-deleted LinkedIn profile from an Ubisoft Associate Marketing Director, the game sold over 1.3 million copies in its first year. That’s not a terrible number, but clearly not enough to satisfy the company’s internal expectations. The fact that this information surfaced through a LinkedIn leak rather than an official Ubisoft report also suggests that the publisher isn’t exactly eager to highlight the game’s performance.

This isn’t an isolated case. Ubisoft has struggled with underwhelming launches over the past couple of years. Star Wars Outlaws, which should have been a blockbuster, failed to sell in the way the company had hoped. XDefiant, Ubisoft’s attempt at a live-service shooter, barely got off the ground before being shut down. Even major projects like Skull and Bones and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora haven’t performed as well as expected.

So what does this mean for Prince of Persia as a franchise? Ubisoft clearly wanted this game to be a comeback moment, but with disappointing sales, it’s unclear whether they’ll greenlight another major entry. That said, the fan reception has been positive, and with the right adjustments—perhaps better marketing, a different pricing strategy, or a stronger launch window—there’s still a chance that Prince of Persia could have a future.

For now, though, it looks like Ubisoft is moving resources elsewhere, and Prince of Persia fans may have to wait a while before seeing another game in the series.

4. Layoffs and Studio Closures: The Price of Cost-Cutting

Ubisoft is shrinking its workforce once again, announcing the closure of its Leamington studio and downsizing operations in Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Newcastle (Ubisoft Reflections). In total, 185 employees are being laid off as part of what Ubisoft calls a move toward “more efficient operating models.”

Leamington’s closure is a big one. Originally founded as FreeStyleGames in 2002, the studio had worked on DJ Hero, Guitar Hero, and later contributed to Ubisoft titles like Tom Clancy’s The Division, Star Wars Outlaws, and Far Cry 5. While some employees will be offered remote positions, most of the staff are being let go.

Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Newcastle (Reflections) will also see job cuts, affecting teams working on titles like Anno, The Settlers, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Ubisoft’s internal memo states that the cuts were made to reduce costs and ensure long-term stability, but given the company’s recent struggles with underperforming games, it’s clear that financial pressure is a driving factor.

One major question that remains: how will these layoffs affect in-progress projects? Ubisoft Reflections was rumored to be working on a WW2 live-service extraction shooter called CREST, with support from Leamington. If those teams are being downsized, it raises concerns about whether that project will be delayed, restructured, or even canceled.

These layoffs are part of a larger trend in the gaming industry, where many companies are cutting jobs due to rising development costs and uncertain market conditions. Since 2022, Ubisoft has gradually reduced its workforce, going from over 20,000 employees to 18,666 as of late 2024.

For now, Ubisoft is in cost-cutting mode, trying to restructure itself for a more sustainable future. But with studios shutting down and projects in flux, it’s a tough time for both employees and players wondering what’s next.

5. Can Assassin’s Creed Shadows Save Ubisoft?

Ubisoft is in desperate need of a win, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows might be their best shot. With the company struggling to deliver a major hit, the next installment in the Assassin’s Creed series carries more weight than ever.

Set in feudal Japan, Shadows finally brings the long-requested setting fans have been asking for. Players will switch between Yasuke, a samurai based on a real historical figure, and Naoe, a shinobi, offering two distinct playstyles—one built around brutal combat, the other focused on stealth and agility. The open world promises dynamic weather, seasonal changes, and a living world full of NPC interactions, all aimed at deepening immersion.

But Ubisoft knows that hype alone won’t cut it. Shadows has already been delayed multiple times, reportedly to ensure a polished and bug-free launch. That’s a smart move, given Ubisoft’s mixed track record with major game releases. Star Wars Outlaws failed to meet expectations, XDefiant flopped, and even Skull and Bones, after years of delays, still struggles to generate excitement. The last thing Ubisoft needs is another technical disaster like Assassin’s Creed Unity at launch.

The good news? Assassin’s Creed is still one of Ubisoft’s strongest franchises. Even with the series’ shift toward RPG mechanics in recent years, titles like Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla performed well commercially. But Ubisoft can’t afford to fumble Shadows—with ongoing layoffs, studio closures, and financial struggles, this game needs to deliver, both in sales and reputation.

So, will Shadows be the game to turn things around? If Ubisoft nails the execution, it could be the big win they need. If not, it’ll be yet another costly misstep in an already rocky period for the publisher.

6. Ubisoft’s Foray Into Blockchain and the Metaverse

While Ubisoft is dealing with studio closures and underperforming games, it’s also continuing its push into blockchain gaming and the metaverse. The latest move? Champions Tactics avatars are coming to The Sandbox, marking another step in Ubisoft’s Web3 strategy.

This isn’t Ubisoft’s first rodeo with The Sandbox. The company has already brought Rabbids into the metaverse, followed by characters from the Netflix series Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix (which itself is inspired by a Far Cry spinoff). Now, with Champions Tactics, Ubisoft is leaning even further into blockchain-powered experiences, integrating NFT-based avatars with a turn-based strategy game.

Ubisoft is one of the few major gaming companies still actively experimenting with NFTs and Web3. While other publishers have either pulled back or stayed quiet due to industry backlash, Ubisoft keeps pushing forward, seeing blockchain as a long-term bet rather than a passing trend.

But the industry response to blockchain gaming is still very mixed. While some players and investors see the potential, many gamers remain skeptical or outright hostile toward NFTs in gaming, viewing them as unnecessary monetization tactics. Ubisoft has already faced backlash over its previous NFT initiatives, like its Quartz platform for Ghost Recon Breakpoint, which failed to gain traction.

The big question now is: will Ubisoft’s persistence in blockchain pay off, or is it just another distraction from its core gaming business? For now, the company is doubling down on the metaverse, but whether this will be a smart long-term play or a costly gamble remains to be seen.

7. Ubisoft’s Future: Reinvention or Decline?

Ubisoft finds itself at a crossroads, caught between cutting costs and trying to maintain its creative output. The recent layoffs and studio closures show a company tightening its belt, while simultaneously trying to reignite its portfolio with upcoming releases like Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Avatar expansions. But is it enough?

There’s been plenty of speculation around Ubisoft’s future. Rumors about investment or even acquisition by Tencent have been swirling for a while. Reports suggest that while Ubisoft might be open to the idea, the Guillemot family is keen to retain control. This tug-of-war adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile situation.

Upcoming releases are critical. Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems poised to capture fan interest with its feudal Japan setting, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora might still surprise despite a rocky start. If these games can deliver both commercially and critically, Ubisoft might just find itself back on solid ground. But if they miss the mark, it could be a hard blow for a company that’s already lost investor confidence.

Let’s not forget Ubisoft’s legacy. This is the company that brought us timeless franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Prince of Persia. It’s weathered storms before. But in an industry that’s becoming increasingly ruthless and fast-paced, staying relevant requires bold moves and sharp focus.

So, what’s next for Ubisoft? Reinvention might be the only option. Whether through strategic partnerships, refocusing on core franchises, or even embracing new technologies, the coming years will be crucial. The stakes are high, and it’s clear Ubisoft needs to adapt or risk decline.

Where Does Ubisoft Go from Here?

Ubisoft is in a strange spot right now. On one hand, it’s doing a great job supporting older games, bringing FPS patches to titles like Far Cry New Dawn and keeping legacy franchises playable on modern hardware. On the other, it’s struggling to make new releases stick, with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown failing to meet expectations and big-budget projects like Star Wars Outlaws underperforming.

At the same time, the company is cutting costs aggressively, closing Ubisoft Leamington and downsizing teams in Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Newcastle—moves that directly impact in-development projects. Meanwhile, it’s doubling down on blockchain gaming, pushing Champions Tactics avatars into The Sandbox and continuing its Web3 experiments.

With Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the horizon, Ubisoft has a chance to turn things around. But given its recent track record, financial pressures, and potential investor shakeups, the question remains:

Is Ubisoft on the right path, or is it time for a drastic change?