What Happened Between Ubisoft and Steam?
Ubisoft, a French multinational video game developer and publisher, has had a tumultuous relationship with Valve Corporation’s popular digital distribution platform, Steam. For a brief period, the publisher stopped putting its games on Steam, citing the need to focus on its own PC launcher and the Epic Games Store. However, it appears that the company is now returning to Steam with its upcoming releases.
Why Did Ubisoft Stop Using Steam?
In 2019, Ubisoft announced that it would no longer release its games on Steam. The company cited a desire to focus on its own PC launcher, which would provide a consistent player ecosystem across all of its games. Additionally, Ubisoft expressed support for Epic Games’ store, which it believed would offer a more favorable split of revenue between developers and publishers.
What Impact Did This Decision Have?
The decision to leave Steam had a significant impact on the gaming community and the industry as a whole. Some gamers were concerned about the loss of games on the platform, while others saw it as a move towards more monetization and control for developers. The decision also raised questions about the long-term viability of Steam, which has dominated the PC gaming market for over a decade.
What Are the Consequences of This Decision?
The consequences of Ubisoft’s decision have been far-reaching. The company has lost out on potential revenue by not having its games available on Steam, which remains one of the largest and most popular PC gaming platforms. Additionally, the company’s decision to focus on its own launcher and Epic Games Store may have created confusion among gamers and compliance issues for the company itself.
What Does This Mean for Gamers?
For gamers, this decision means that they will no longer have access to Ubisoft’s games on Steam. However, it also presents an opportunity for gamers to explore other PC gaming platforms and discover new games that may not be available on Steam. The decision also raises questions about the long-term viability of Steam and the impact it may have on the gaming industry.
What Is the Current Situation?
As of now, Ubisoft has confirmed that it will be returning to Steam with its upcoming releases. The company’s decision to leave Steam appears to have been a short-term one, and the company is now focusing on releasing its games on both its own launcher and Epic Games Store. This news is likely to be welcomed by gamers who have been affected by the loss of Ubisoft’s games on Steam.
Conclusion
The story of Ubisoft’s decision to leave Steam is a complex one, filled with consequences for both the company and the gaming community. The decision to focus on the company’s own launcher and Epic Games Store was seen as a move towards more monetization and control, but it also raised questions about the long-term viability of Steam. As Ubisoft returns to Steam with its upcoming releases, it appears that the company is committing to a multichannel strategy, one that will see its games available on multiple platforms, including its own launcher and Epic Games Store.
Key Takeaways
• Ubisoft stopped putting its games on Steam in 2019, citing a desire to focus on its own PC launcher and Epic Games Store.
• The company’s decision was seen as a move towards more monetization and control, but it also raised questions about the long-term viability of Steam.
• The loss of Ubisoft’s games on Steam had a significant impact on the gaming community and the industry as a whole.
• Ubisoft has since confirmed that it will be returning to Steam with its upcoming releases, committing to a multichannel strategy.