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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

PR statement from Ubisoft:



Further clarification via The Verge:

Whether it's arbitrary cuts, $75 horse armor, shrinkflation, pay-to-win, or premium early access, game publishers the world over are desperately trying to squeeze every last bit of profit possible for their shareholders. But one publisher may have just tipped things a little bit too far with this latest goof.

XboxSquad.fr reporter and co-founder @Fab_XS_ shared this video on X (Twitter), depicting what appears to be an ad for Assassin's Creed Mirage before the menu screen in Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

The video shows the player opening up the menu screen, only to be greeted with a gigantic Black Friday ad for Assassin's Creed Mirage, 20% off. I wouldn't mind hearing about such deals if I was actually searching for them (like our own Black Friday 2023 gaming deals live blog!) but, when I'm just trying to chill on the sofa and assassinate some dudes? Maybe not.

We're downloading Assassin's Creed Odyssey to see if we can replicate the ad at our end right now, but the clip shows no obvious signs of fakery or forgery. Plus, it's also not the first time Ubisoft has attempted to inject "ads" into its menus, with deals for in-game accelerators appearing alongside gameplay elements across some of its titles. However, a full-screen pop-up for one of its titles in the middle of your game really does take it to the next level.

Ads are commonplace in the middle of gameplay on mobile devices, typically in free-to-play games, as part of their business models. Similarly, we put ads on our web articles too, since we're not charging for access. By contrast, Assassin's Creed Odyssey was a fully-priced title and to patch these in post-launch feels aggressive and greedy.

I, for one, desperately do not want this to become the norm, and I suspect many others will not want it to become the norm either. Premium video games are supposed to be an escape from marketing bombardments, and it's hardly as if Assassin's Creed Odyssey is a multiplayer service game with expensive servers and matchmaking systems that need to be maintained.

If this video is indeed real (and there's no reason right now to think it isn't), all it represents is bare-faced greed. Even if it is fake, I suspect publishers would salivate at the concept of normalizing this type of system. Let's not allow them to do so.

Apparently, Ubisoft is experimenting with pop-up ads in the middle of video games now. No thanks. (Updated)

The darkest timeline.

www.windowscentral.com

Update via The Verge:

 

[TheBomb]

 

[Aces High]

Ubisoft should experiment with good gameplay in the middle of video games.

 

[Krieger]

As if I need anymore reasons to not play Ubisoft games ever again.

 

[Davevil]

but if I agree to play with the ads, I get a substantial discount right? Right?

 

[Mr Hyde]

If ads becomes the norm in modern video games I'll just stop playing them and turn to retro. Fuck that shit and fuck Ubisoft for even attempting it.

 

[Dr.Morris79]

but if I agree to play with the ads, I get a substantial discount right? Right?

Hell no, you pay an extra $10 not to see them..

 

[Lucifers Beard]

This will never fly. Not in the middle of gameplay.

 

[Spukc]

Ingame ads have better gameplay so it’s a plus for an ubisoft game

 

[ikbalCO]

I understand this. Mirage is a far better game than odyssey so i guess this ubisoft way nudging player on a better experience

 

[Lupin3]

but if I agree to play with the ads, I get a substantial discount right? Right?

You'll get 10% off on macrotransactions.

 

[MasterCornholio]

The next level.

 

[Pakoe]

Jesus this is a new low for ubishit, good thing I dont play their dumbass copy paste games.

 

[SCB3]

And remember EA gets a lot of shit for their practices, don't let Ubi off

Its a shame as they can make good games, but management ruin them

 

[Davevil]

Jesus this is a new low for ubishit, good thing I dont play their dumbass copy paste games.

 

[Banjo64]

Honestly, these companies that do stuff like this, or Xbox with their splash screen ad, or Sony and Xbox using woke sensitivity reading companies for investment etc - if you don’t like it the only answer is vote with your wallet.

That doesn’t mean boycott until a ‘special game’ like TLoU 3 comes out, it means complete and utter boycott.

Put your money somewhere good, there’s hundreds of better games every year than AC.

 

[Dr.Morris79]

I say let them do it. We can laugh as they crash

Sounds like they need a good wake up call.

 

[lh032]

future of gaming.
Dont be surprise if theres ads for certain political parties in video game in the future LOL

 

[n111ck]

This is so obviously a bug with a pop up from the Ubi app - get a grip lol..

 

[Hudo]

So, I wonder how the IP will be sold when Ubisoft goes bankrupt. Do you guys think they're going to sell them off one-by-one or in bulk? I am kinda itching to see whether Michel Ancel could buy Rayman back.

 

[digdug2]

This is so obviously a bug with a pop up from the Ubi app - get a grip lol..

Yes, it was so incredibly obvious that you're the only one calling it a bug. I've been on the fence about Ubisoft for a long time, but this may be the final nail in the coffin for me. If you're disrupting a game that I paid full price for 5 years ago to advertise your newest schlock, you can get fucked.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

This is so obviously a bug with a pop up from the Ubi app - get a grip lol..

Biggest L take of the day right here, folks!

 

[n111ck]

Yes, it was so incredibly obvious that you're the only one calling it a bug. I've been on the fence about Ubisoft for a long time, but this may be the final nail in the coffin for me. If you're disrupting a game that I paid full price for 5 years ago to advertise your newest schlock, you can get fucked.

Maybe I'm the only one immune to twitter-bated nerd rage..

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Original report seems to be from this reddit thread on /r/xboxone:



Others are confirming that they've received the advert as well

 

[tommycronin]

future of gaming.
Dont be surprise if theres ads for certain political parties in video game in the future LOL

 

[digdug2]

Maybe I'm the only one immune to twitter-bated nerd rage..

Or perhaps you're the only one blind enough to not notice that these companies are exclusively trying to bend you over a barrel.

 

[digdug2]

Maybe I'm the only one immune to twitter-bated nerd rage..

By the way, what is up with this two dot nonsense to end a sentence? Either use one period for a full stop or three for an ellipsis. Two dots makes you look like a moron.

 

[kyussman]

I've been experimenting with not giving Ubisoft my money......it's going very well.

 

[n111ck]

By the way, what is up with this two dot nonsense to end a sentence? Either use one period for a full stop or three for an ellipsis. Two dots makes you look like a moron.

...

 

[SJRB]

No fucking way, hahahaha

 

[coffinbirth]

Wink in a mirror the next time you pass one if you get this reference.

 

[Shane89]

That's unacceptabe.

I'll be more than fine it they put ads ln-game using signs etc....but this sh!t?? Really? Fu** them.

 

[digdug2]

...

Perfect. Now continue the silence and you'll be doing GAF a favor.

 

[Sybrix]

Ubisoft work so hard on fucking themselves over.

ALL there games in the last 10 years have been mediocre at best and complete garbage at worst, they are so bland, boring, so middle of the road..... urgg.

They used to release decent games from 2000 to 2010, in the last 10 years it's been awful.

 

[newtypepilot]

 

[n111ck]

Just seen the pop up whilst playing Odyssey - really useful as allowed me to purchase Mirage without leaving the game - nice one Ubi - more please...

 

[GHG]

Maybe I'm the only one immune to twitter-bated nerd rage..

Nice to meet you Yves.

 

[FunkMiller]

Everybody who is still buying Ubisoft games deserves everything they get, at this point.

 

[Venom Snake]

 

[Cyberpunkd]

This will never fly. Not in the middle of gameplay.

People said the same things about horse armor DLC.

 

[n111ck]

Nice to meet you Yves.

Can I interest you in a copy of Assassins Creed Mirage - just press X...

 

[Ben87fr]

I don't even hate Ubisoft anymore, i just don't care about them at this point...

 

[GrayChild]

Good thing I haven't played a Ubisoft game in almost a decade.

 

[Nankatsu]

Wait until they remember to include ad rewards when you open a treasure chest.

Instead of an item you get an ad.

 

[digdug2]

Ubisoft work so hard on fucking themselves over.

ALL there games in the last 10 years have been mediocre at best and complete garbage at worst, they are so bland, boring, so middle of the road..... urgg.

They used to release decent games from 2000 to 2010, in the last 10 years it's been awful.

 

[digdug2]

Wait until they remember to include ad rewards when you open a treasure chest.

Instead of an item you get an ad.

Yeah, but if you watch the 60 second ad, you get a coupon to Little Caesars.

 

[VolticArchangel]

Ads, in a fucking fully priced game. Of course, it's ubishite or peEA doing the honors of being the first to implement this scumbaggery.

This is so obviously a bug with a pop up from the Ubi app - get a grip lol..

Maybe I'm the only one immune to twitter-bated nerd rage..

Just seen the pop up whilst playing Odyssey - really useful as allowed me to purchase Mirage without leaving the game - nice one Ubi - more please...

You don't work for Ubisoft at all, clearly...

 

[chilichote]

I love them Ubisoft Games (at least the Far Crys^^) but with ads i'm out!

 

[I Love Rock 'n' Roll]

So you pay full f*cking price for a game to get reward with in game ads you can't even skip and neither sign an agreement contract? I think Ubi is ready to sell gamers a sub to unlock ads, a game you've just paid 90 euros or even more...

At this, people want to play this Ubi title... pirate it, don't buy it, you'll get ads anyway! It should be free!

 

[winjer]

One more reason not to buy Ubisoft games.