Assassin's creed black flag resynced: ubisoft faces backlash over $85 dlc blitz
The launch of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced has been anything but smooth, transforming what was initially touted as a modernized iteration of a beloved pirate adventure into a PR disaster for Ubisoft.
A torrent of discontent
Initial reports from Steam users paint a damning picture: a $60 base game suddenly ballooning to a staggering $85 when factoring in a deluge of optional cosmetic packs. The outrage is palpable, manifesting in a flood of scathing reviews and furious messages directed at the developer. Players aren’t just complaining about the sheer volume of content, but the aggressive pricing strategy – a $10 price tag for each individual digital ‘skin’ and a $5 map pack adding to the financial sting.
‘Just couldn’t hold themselves?’
One particularly pointed comment on the Steam store page, captured by frustrated gamers, read: “Come on Ubisoft you just couldn’t hold yourselves huh?!”. The sentiment is echoed across the platform – users are questioning the value proposition, highlighting the fact that these add-ons aren’t merely cosmetic; they offer gameplay advantages, effectively creating a tiered experience that feels exploitative.
A piracy trigger
The response has been swift and, frankly, predictable. Several users have explicitly stated their intention to refund the game, citing the inflated cost and the perceived manipulation of the Deluxe Edition. The argument is clear: buying the 'Deluxe' version feels less like a premium purchase and more like an obligatory investment in a future onslaught of microtransactions.
Ubisoft's deflection
In a carefully worded statement released on Steam, Ubisoft acknowledged the feedback, attempting to frame the add-ons as purely optional. They emphasized that the standard edition delivers the complete and unadulterated experience, with no features held back. However, this reassurance rings hollow in the face of the overwhelming criticism.
Record sales, sour taste
Despite the controversy, the game has achieved remarkable sales figures, smashing the franchise’s concurrent player record on Steam with over 100,000 concurrent users – a significant leap beyond the peak performance of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This commercial success, however, is undeniably tainted by the negative player reception. IGN’s review, a 9/10 rating, conceded that the game