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What could Tencent Games’ massive investment in Ubisoft mean for mobile gamers

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Story Highlights

  • Tencent Games invested €1.16 billion ($1.26 billion) in Ubisoft.
  • Tencent Games owns 25% of this new subsidiary formed by Ubisoft.
  • This venture can open up endless possibilities for AAA quality mobile games for Ubisoft’s hit franchises.

Did you hear about the speculations last year concerning Tencent and the Guillemot Family’s possible acquisition of Ubisoft? That rumor has become reality as Tencent invested a significant €1.16 billion ($1.26 billion) for a minority stake in a new Ubisoft subsidiary, and it looks like things are only getting better for them!

In the future, a division of Ubisoft will concentrate primarily on their most prominent series such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. I have an inkling that this arrangement could significantly alter the appearance of these games on mobile devices, and here are some speculations as to why I feel this way.

Ubisoft’s idea of multi-platform ecosystems

One key aspect I’ve gathered from this agreement is Ubisoft’s ambition to go beyond just making standalone mobile games. Instead of merely converting existing games or producing brief spin-offs, they aim to develop “durable, cross-platform game environments“, as suggested in their official statement.

In simpler terms, this statement means that they aim to create games which not only have a long lifespan but also encourage players to revisit them regularly for updates and fresh content, essentially providing ongoing or “live” services. As of now, when it comes to excelling in live-service gaming experiences, Tencent Games is one of the leading companies.

Tencent Games’ prowess in live-service games

It’s not just Tencent Games’ expertise in free-to-play and live-service games that sets them apart, but their impressive track record in creating and managing some of today’s most successful game franchises. Titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Pokémon Unite are testament to their prowess in this field.

They excel at adapting large franchises effectively for mobile platforms, which leads me to believe we’ll witness more innovative mobile adaptations of popular series like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, as opposed to simple console port versions.

Yes, Ubisoft has introduced The Division Resurgence and Rainbow Six Mobile, catering to the mobile gaming audience. However, I’m envisioning a more expansive experience. Mobile gaming has seen significant progress, and it won’t be too far in the future when we witness console-compatible games from Ubisoft.

One additional reason I brought up those two games is because they haven’t had a complete launch, despite being announced over three years back. Similarly, there’s a game called “Assassin’s Creed Jade” that seems to be in limbo since the delay we experienced last year.

Partnering with Tencent Games expands your team size, leading to quicker releases, as stated in the official announcement. The upcoming Assassin’s Creed title will be distributed by Level Infinite. If TiMi Studio collaborates with Ubisoft on game development, we could potentially see an annual release schedule.

Have you noticed any points regarding potential enhancements to the quality of single-player storytelling, perhaps something like “improved quality in solo narratives”? or simply “any mentions about enhanced solo narrative quality” in the official announcement?

AAA-like mobile experiences on mobile are a dream

It’s possible, though I might be getting carried away, but could we be witnessing a single-player game of AAA quality on mobile devices, something reminiscent of Far Cry? While it may not include a multiplayer mode for battles, the idea of Far Cry on mobile holds significant promise. After all, dreams are allowed to wander, aren’t they?

As a gamer myself, I’ve picked up on the intriguing point about Ubisoft planning to add “free-to-play elements” and enhance social interactions within their games. This indicates that they’re focusing more on multiplayer and social experiences with this new subsidiary, which definitely catches my attention!

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at Tencent’s exceptional prowess in the realm of live-service games and online communities. It’s only natural to anticipate that Ubisoft’s mobile games will delve deeper into collaborative, competitive game modes, potentially even offering cross-platform play between mobile, PC, and console versions. The prospect of a more interconnected gaming experience truly sparks my enthusiasm!

Up until now, all that I’ve discussed pertains to mobile gaming perspective. If you are a mobile gaming enthusiast, this could be quite significant. The prospect of Ubisoft intellectual properties being integrated into mobile gaming, particularly with Far Cry potentially available as a single-player or open-world survival game, is almost too good to be true.

However, it’s important to consider the other perspective as well. Having Tencent on board implies a significant focus on monetization strategies. This could translate into free-to-play formats, battle passes, and in-game purchases. If executed skillfully, this could result in frequent updates and new content over an extended period. Yet, if not managed properly, it may lead to pay-to-win scenarios, which we aim to avoid.

To summarize, it’s my belief that mobile gamers stand to gain significantly from enhanced gaming experiences. However, the key issue lies in the strategies adopted by Ubisoft and Tencent, which will determine the success of their joint venture. If they manage to strike a balance, we might witness some extraordinary mobile gaming experiences, and I truly hope that’s what transpires.

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2025-03-30 07:11

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