Fact Check: Larian director of publishing Michael Douse critiques Ubisoft over it Prioritization of Subscriptions on it platforms Over games Sales

Fact Check: Larian Director of Publishing Michael Douse Critiques Ubisoft Over Its Prioritization of Subscriptions Over Game Sales

What We Know

Michael Douse, the Director of Publishing at Larian Studios, publicly criticized Ubisoft's strategy regarding the release and sales of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. He stated that the decision to disband the development team was a result of a "broken strategy" that prioritizes subscriptions over traditional game sales (PC Gamer). Douse pointed out that Ubisoft's focus on subscription models has led to a decline in sales for individual titles, which he believes is detrimental to both developers and gamers (That Park Place).

Ubisoft's management had previously announced the disbandment of the Prince of Persia development team shortly after the game's release, citing low sales as a reason for reallocating the team to other projects (GameDoc). Douse emphasized that had the game been released on Steam at launch, it would have likely performed better, suggesting that the absence from the platform significantly impacted its market success (PSU).

Analysis

Douse's critique of Ubisoft's strategy is supported by several key points. He argues that the company's focus on subscription services has led to a lack of ownership for gamers, which in turn affects developers' job security. This sentiment echoes comments made by Ubisoft's Director of Subscriptions, Philippe Tremblay, who suggested that gamers need to adapt to not owning their games (IGN). Douse's assertion that this approach could lead to fewer job opportunities for developers of critically acclaimed games is a significant concern, highlighting the potential long-term implications of such a business model.

The reliability of Douse's claims is bolstered by the context of Ubisoft's recent struggles with game sales and the management decisions that followed. Reports indicate that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was well-received critically but failed to meet sales expectations, which Douse attributes to Ubisoft's flawed strategy (Digital Alps). Furthermore, the decision to delay the game's release on Steam until several months after its initial launch likely contributed to its underperformance (80.lv).

While Douse's critique is grounded in observable trends and decisions made by Ubisoft, it is important to note that his position as a director at Larian Studios may introduce some bias, as he has a vested interest in promoting a model that favors traditional game sales over subscriptions.

Conclusion

The claim that Michael Douse critiques Ubisoft for prioritizing subscriptions over game sales is True. Douse's statements reflect a broader concern about the implications of subscription models on the gaming industry, particularly regarding developer job security and the overall health of game sales. His arguments are supported by evidence of Ubisoft's recent management decisions and the performance of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

Sources

1. Baldur's Gate 3 publishing chief calls out Ubisoft's 'broken ...
2. 'Baldur's Gate 3' Developer Blasts Ubisoft's Sales Strategy
3. Baldur's Gate 3's publishing chief criticizes Ubisoft for its ...
4. Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown Low Sales Is Down To ...
5. Baldur's Gate 3 Director Blames Ubisoft Strategy, Not ...
6. BG3 Publishing Director Calls Out Ubisoft's "Broken Strategy"
7. Baldur's Gate 3 exec says Ubisoft is to blame for Prince of ...
8. Baldur's Gate 3 Publishing Director Says Ubisoft's 'Sub ...