Ubisoft itself has thrown the flag high with CEO Yves Guillemot defending the $70 price tag by calling the game a “quadruple-A” experience, but what does this really mean to you, the players, and the wider industry? Let’s dive in and find out as we take a look at the wealth of information we have on deck. Skull & Bones is an upcoming Ubisoft game that’s entering a storm brewing on the gaming seas.
Given the title’s live-service model, it was surprising during a recent conference call when one inquisitive caller asked why the game would cost $70. It was claimed that Skull & Bones could gain more players if the title were free-to-play, but Guillemot quickly set things straight, saying the scope and completeness justify full price. “You will see that Skull and Bones is a full-fledged game,” he said. “It’s a big game, and we think people will really appreciate how extensive and complete it is. It is an extremely complete game that will pay off in the long term.”.
The reaction in the gaming community ranged from enthusiasm to skepticism, where some players are ready to sail with Ubisoft on this large journey, while others are a bit more cautious and peer suspiciously through spyglasses at the horizon. The term “quadruple-A” has admittedly raised some folks’ eyebrows, where the question at the tip of many people’s tongues is, “Is this just a clever marketing ploy or an entirely new threshold of quality?”.
Few games have been through as much development hell as Skull & Bones, a project whose schedule rivals the odyssey of any mythical pirate. News says this game’s budget would make even the most well-off buccaneer blush. Just now, an open beta of the game has just started, providing a first look at the world crafted by Ubisoft, a good time for the company to show whether this game could live up to its “quadruple-A” claims it has before the official launch on February 16, 2024.
The Premium edition, which would grant early access and more in-game items, would cost $99.99 for the players ready to spend a bit more money. It would be yet to be seen, though, if players would be enticed to give up their hard-earned riches in the name of a big, comprehensive gaming experience.
One thing is sure while navigating uncharted waters regarding game pricing and what truly defines a “quadruple-A” game: Ubisoft is taking a risk with Skull & Bones. Whether it will actually be successful and find a place for itself in the world of gaming or not is an entirely different story. The gaming community will no doubt be watching, however, to see if the game is really the treasure Ubisoft claims it is, or if it will sink to the bottom of the ocean.
