The launch of Assassin’s Creed Unity hasn’t gone to plan. In fact, Ubisoft shipped a broken game that is about to get its third patch in the hope of making it almost resemble the game we were promised. But they know that they made a mistake, and are trying to fix it.
Ubisoft has announced that beyond their continued commitment to fixing the game, they will be showing their gratitude for those who supported them by giving stuff away for free:
To show our appreciation for your continued support, we’re making the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Unity Dead Kings DLC free for everyone. For Season Pass holders, we will also offer the choice of one additional game from a selection of Ubisoft titles for free.
The free games season pass holders can choose from are: The Crew; Far Cry 4; Watch Dogs; Assassin’s Creed Black Flag; Rayman Legends; Just Dance 2015. At least they’re willing to give away new games – the present isn’t totally useless, unless you pick The Crew.
I appreciate that Ubisoft is doing this – they need to spin some serious PR to fix this failed launch. However, I don’t like the tone of the announcement. It ends up reading as though this was done to them, instead of by them. Just read this section:
Unfortunately, at launch, the overall quality of the game was diminished by bugs and unexpected technical issues. I want to sincerely apologize on behalf of Ubisoft and the entire Assassin’s Creed team. These problems took away from your enjoyment of the game, and kept many of you from experiencing the game at its fullest potential.
Maybe it’s just the passive use of language, but it ends up feeling as if the game was attacked by secret bugs and technical issues, instead of what really happened – they didn’t test it properly and released a game that was actually broken. There are people at Ubisoft whose job it is to make sure games work – entire divisions, in fact. Beyond that, surely someone, somewhere along the line realized the game was broken. Combine this with the fact that review embargoes were pushed until after release and it all feels like a con to hurt the early adopters. While I’m glad that they’re giving DLC to try to compensate for this, it simply doesn’t reestablish trust for Ubisoft, and even hurts other publishers as gamers are even more wary of day one purchases.
Last Updated: November 27, 2014
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2014 at 10:34
I would have bought the game if i knew they were going to be giving farcry 4 or the crew away with it.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 10:36
Same here
Captain JJ the fair
November 27, 2014 at 10:44
If they can guarantee that The Crew will work online without problems, yes.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 10:44
Hahaha oh that’s rich
Viking Of Divinity
November 27, 2014 at 10:45
Can you Guarantee that Santa is real?
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 10:46
I sat on his lap when I was still a boy and we talked about the first thing that came up O_o
Viking Of Divinity
November 27, 2014 at 11:01
That wasn’t Santa, that was Uncle Steve.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 11:08
nooooo
*Childhood dies
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2014 at 10:46
three out of three?
you think even ubicrap can get it that wrong?
Captain JJ the fair
November 27, 2014 at 10:47
I actually expect it.
I’ll be disappointed if it works at this stage. 😉
WitWolfy
November 27, 2014 at 11:01
Their only giving it away games away if you already bought the season pass or got the season pass with the Gold edition
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2014 at 11:44
yeah i get that much, thus the “would have”
Admiral Chief Wang
November 27, 2014 at 10:34
Silly OOBI
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 10:35
Got a DLC code from BT Games for FC4 today. But I need a Uplay account to redeem it.
http://img-9gag-ftw.9cache.com/photo/aBQ8EQO_460sa_v1.gif
oVg Puer aeternus
November 27, 2014 at 10:55
Its a TRAP.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 10:37
And yet some people has experienced no issues what so ever.
Weanerdog
November 27, 2014 at 10:51
I never have any issues with Ubisoft games.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 11:01
You’re not alone
Weanerdog
November 27, 2014 at 11:08
Oh you also don’t buy them.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 11:21
Bought FC4
WitWolfy
November 27, 2014 at 11:05
Like me, so this announcement for me is like getting a golden shower from Katy Perry.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 11:07
O_o
Captain JJ the fair
November 27, 2014 at 10:43
So this seems to be a new trend.
Release broken ass game and then give a “free” DLC and everything is rosy and shiny again.
No Ubisoft.
I want your things packed when I get home. This relationship is over.
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2014 at 10:49
and they wonder why piracy is a thing.
Captain JJ the fair
November 27, 2014 at 10:59
Their new slogan should be “Promoting piracy”
Viking Of Divinity
November 27, 2014 at 11:13
Or “You won’t get a better f*** for $60”
Captain JJ the fair
November 27, 2014 at 11:35
LOL
Viking Of Divinity
November 27, 2014 at 10:43
The Zero Punctuation Review for AC: Unity was especially Brutal last night. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/9920-Assassins-Creed-Unity-Review
oVg Puer aeternus
November 27, 2014 at 11:00
BRILLIANT!!!
Norm (@e3zype3zy)
November 27, 2014 at 10:50
They know they made a mistake… that is all fair and well, however they still don’t learn from the mistake.
Raptor Rants A Lot
November 27, 2014 at 10:52
Free DLC? You mean content that was cut from the complete product that was going to be paid for DLC?
Norm (@e3zype3zy)
November 27, 2014 at 10:54
That’s the one.
Raptor Rants A Lot
November 27, 2014 at 10:54
I forgot to add “That should have been free as it should have been in the launched product anyway”
But I bet everyone knows exactly what I mean anyway
RinceThis
November 27, 2014 at 10:52
NO.
oVg Puer aeternus
November 27, 2014 at 11:07
Mais non!
RinceThis
November 27, 2014 at 10:53
Lol. You can get free DLC to the other games we’ve released that don’t work.
ToshZA
November 27, 2014 at 11:12
I’d actually get Black Flag (mostly because I don’t have it xD)
WitWolfy
November 27, 2014 at 11:00
Wow!!! Awesome sauce, its as if X-mas came early.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 11:01
Far Cry 4 also has bugs, gimme Unity!
Raptor Rants A Lot
November 27, 2014 at 11:06
urm…. Not sure if serious….
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 11:07
Not major bugs or game breaking, but they’re there.
Raptor Rants A Lot
November 27, 2014 at 11:10
No I’m talking about you wanting Unity
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2014 at 11:21
lol
Captain JJ the fair
November 27, 2014 at 11:44
Haha. Excellent
oVg Puer aeternus
November 27, 2014 at 11:10
Who Pre-ordered this?
RustedFaith
November 27, 2014 at 12:54
I’m calling it The Division is going to be another hollow buggy game.
Captain JJ the fair
November 27, 2014 at 14:05
Aye
oVg Puer aeternus
November 27, 2014 at 14:05
I will bet you a Rootelf muffin that the on-line does not work for 2 months.
CAE9872
November 27, 2014 at 11:25
I think this Polygon comment piece is something gamers need to read and consider.
http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/26/7295181/assassins-creed-unity-free-content-apology
I think it makes some pertinent points we gamers need to think about. So all fine and well giving me something but YOU did this to yourself. So big publishers – start treating me like a valued customer and not some money-sponge!
HairyEwok
November 27, 2014 at 11:31
This is so the DLC trend that DriveClub started, Ubi saw that it worked so their like hmmmm golden opportunity to get some good grades again.
fred
November 27, 2014 at 11:37
Nice one Ubi . Thanks for at least trying to make up. I still need to start playing it , If I can get Destiny out of my system.
MakeItLegal
November 27, 2014 at 12:16
lost 10 hrs of progress jezzz
string_slinger
November 27, 2014 at 12:59
Yeah, this and Farcry 4 being absolutely shite on AMD cards on PC – no more Ubisoft titles for me. I’m spoilt for choice, gonna be exercising said choice with other developers….
Trebzz
November 27, 2014 at 14:31
Am I the only one who had no problems in this game? Ok maybe the frame rate when I was doing a co-op mission but otherwise it was good.
vicky john
November 27, 2014 at 14:31
Apologies ?
Gerard Matthews
November 27, 2014 at 22:57
I had already decided not to buy any more ubisoft games. After this, it just makes the decision that much easier to feel comfortable with. I know I will miss out on Far Cry 4 (and many other titles) but I feel like it is the only way I can make a small stand.
There are plenty games out there worth my time and Ubisoft have shown that I am not important to them. So I’m going to show them 1 measly copy at a time that I don’t care for their products and business practices.
Stand with me Gamers! (but if you simply can’t miss out due to fomo I will understand too)