Gaming's Evolution: Ubisoft's Bold Stand on Digital Ownership Sparks Debate Among Gamers

In a gaming landscape that has been gradually steering towards an all-digital future, Ubisoft's director of subscriptions, Phillipe Tremblay, recently made a bold statement, asserting that gamers must acclimate to the idea of not owning their games. In a conversation with Gamesindustry.biz about the digital future and Ubisoft Plus, Tremblay emphasized the need for a shift in consumer attitude, drawing parallels to how people became accustomed to not owning physical CD or DVD collections.

Tremblay acknowledged the comfort gamers find in owning their games, comparing it to the attachment people had to their physical media. He emphasized the importance of this consumer shift, emphasizing that not owning a game does not equate to losing progress. Even without a physical copy on the shelf, players retain their invested time and accomplishments. Tremblay further expressed understanding of gamers' perspectives on ownership but highlighted that services like Ubisoft Plus offer accessibility whenever gamers wish to indulge.

Digital sales accounted for a whopping 90 percent of the UK games industry's revenue last year, signaling a significant preference for digital content. Tremblay's perspective aligns with his role as a director of subscriptions, but it brings to the forefront concerns shared by many regarding subscription services.

One concern revolves around the transient nature of games on subscription platforms, exemplified by Grand Theft Auto 5 recently departing Xbox Game Pass. Gamers relying solely on subscription services risk losing access to titles regularly. Another worry is the potential disappearance of games pulled from online stores, as exemplified by the removal of the original Alan Wake and Ubisoft's The Crew due to licensing issues.

While the former eventually returned after a remaster, The Crew faces extinction on March 31, 2024. Despite these apprehensions, the gaming industry appears committed to steering players toward subscription services, a strategy that has proven lucrative for streaming giants like Netflix and Disney in the video-based content market.

As the industry experiences a paradigm shift, the debate surrounding digital ownership intensifies. Ubisoft's stance mirrors broader trends, echoing the growing dominance of subscription models. However, how smoothly the gaming community embraces this transformation remains an open question, with gamers grappling with the evolving landscape of digital ownership.