Summary
AUbisoftinsider has shared that the people at the company have reached out to Valve, asking to limit the visibility of player count data. Concurrent player counts have become a valuable source of information in the gaming industry, especially when so many video games include online community aspects enhanced by their popularity. Despite how important these numbers can be to players, this plan could helpUbisoftin the long term.
Many gaming companies have become more protective of the data surrounding their latest releases. Although tracking stock prices can give people an idea of how a business is doing overall, the ability to see player data and sales numbers varies depending on the company and the title. Square Enix has struggled recently, and the company has chosen to leave sales updates on titles likeFinal Fantasy 16more unclear.Ubisoft has taken a couple of hitsthroughout 2024, and its executives may want more control over some of these statistics.
An MP1ST reportsourced toFandom Pulsediscusses information shared by a Ubisoft insider, stating the company has requested that Valve limit access to player count data on Steam. According to these rumors, Ubisoft would like the concurrent player counts for games on Steam either hidden or removed entirely, noting dissatisfaction with the way players and press outlets often talk about these metrics. In some cases, gamers will useSteam player count data to indicate a video game’s success, and the company wants to paint a “more favorable picture to investors” who may otherwise be discouraged. According to the insider, Ubisoft is one of several other companies that have requested Valve hide this information.
Ubisoft May Want to Remove Its Steam Player Counts
This development could spark a larger conversation about transparency regarding the production of games, how the press talks about them, and what data the public has the right to access. Valve and its platform Steam have often been praised for their approach to gaming and its community. Although Valve tends to stay quiet until a release is ready to be shared, Steam generally focuses on prioritizing openness with its audience. This reported move to limit Steam player count data byUbisoft could be prompted by some recent difficulties. However, the company has otherwise expressed interest in pursuing an approach more similar to Steam’s.
Within the past couple of months,Ubisoft launched an internal reviewmeant to strengthen a “player-centric approach” to its business. Although the company has stated its interest in prioritizing player feedback, limiting the data that fans can access regarding its games could impact the relationship the company aims to build with its audience. Alternatively, being able to quell anxieties that shareholders have about the status of the company’s new releases could provide an opportunity to focus on public relations and polishing games regardless of their initial reception. Regardless of what the initial community reaction may be to a move like this, it will be interesting to see if this potential strategy could ultimately benefit Ubisoft.
Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a well-known video game developer and publisher with a main headquarters in Saint-Mandé, France. Current CEO Yves Guillemot runs an array of teams responsible for some of the most iconic and well-known series in video games, with franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Farcry, The Crew, Just Dance, and more. Ubisoft also acts as a parent company for an array of other video game developers, including names like Massive Entertainment, Ubisoft Paris, Blue Mammoth Games, Red Storm Entertainment, and more.
