During a recent investor meeting, Yves Guillemot, CEO and co-founder of Ubisoft, addressed the complexities surrounding service-based games, emphasizing that “nothing is eternal” in this evolving landscape. This statement came in response to a shareholder’s inquiry regarding the Stop Killing Games petition, which advocates for the continued availability of games that consumers have purchased.
Addressing Consumer Concerns
Guillemot reassured stakeholders that Ubisoft is actively seeking solutions to mitigate the impact on players when games are deprecated. He cited the example of The Crew, which has been made available for offline play, as a step towards ensuring that users can still enjoy their investments. Additionally, he highlighted a promotional event in September 2024, where players could acquire The Crew 2 for just , showcasing Ubisoft’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
“This kind of issue is not specific to Ubisoft,” Guillemot remarked. “All video game publishers are faced with that issue. You provide a service, but nothing is written in stone, and at some point, the service may be discontinued. Nothing is eternal.” His candid acknowledgment of the industry’s challenges reflects a broader understanding of the lifecycle of software products.
The Reality of Software Lifespan
Guillemot elaborated on the inherent limitations of software longevity, noting that as technology advances, many tools inevitably become obsolete over time. “The lifespan of a piece of software, whenever there’s a service component, eventually services may be discontinued,” he explained. “A lot of tools become obsolete 10 or 15 years down the line. They’re no longer available. And that is why we release a new version. We have version two and then version three.”
His insights underscore a significant and far-reaching issue within the gaming industry, as companies like Ubisoft navigate the delicate balance between providing ongoing support and adapting to the realities of technological advancement. Guillemot concluded by affirming that Ubisoft is committed to working diligently on these matters, striving to ensure a positive experience for all players and buyers, even as the landscape continues to shift.
