Surprise, surprise. Skull and Bones isn’t coming out at some point early next year, as promised. As has been the case for years, Skull and Ubisoft is delaying Skull and Bones again, alongside an unnamed big game.
To delay the release of Skull and Bones may initially strike fans as disappointing. Initially announced with a compelling cinematic trailer at E3 2017, the pirate-adventure game was initially slated for a fall 2018 release. Years later, we’re still waiting for the game to dock and make port. This incessant deferral might seem baffling, but a closer analysis of Ubisoft’s strategic moves suggests that the delay could be an astute maneuver on their part.
To understand the rationale behind the delay, one must first recognize the checkered history of Skull and Bones and its development. Beginning in 2013, this project has witnessed internal reboots, leadership shifts, and multiple changes in vision. Such transitions are rarely without implications, leading to reshuffling of development priorities and alterations in the game’s direction. Add to this the competitive nature of the gaming industry and the looming expectations that’s partly because of Ubisoft’s reputation, particularly following the success of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, and one can appreciate the pressure to perfect this product before its release.
Reports suggest that Ubisoft isn’t just biding time. It had a closed beta, providing an opportunity to collect invaluable feedback to enhance the game mechanics and ensure a “more polished and balanced experience.” This decision to go and refine and test Skull and Bones demonstrates Ubisoft’s commitment to quality over rushing to market.
In an industry riddled with examples of games hurriedly released only to disappoint their fanbase, Ubisoft’s choice is seen as a proactive approach to avoid such pitfalls.
Furthermore, Ubisoft’s recent financial strategies and performance lend insight into the Skull and Bones delay. As part of of its most recent earnings report, Ubisoft confirms a 36.6% year-over-year growth in net bookings, backed by strong back-catalog sales and successful launches, namely Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, which continues to draw praise from fans despite its relatively low score on Metacritic. With a strong financial footing and positive momentum, Ubisoft finds itself in a position where it can afford to delay the release of one of its potential blockbusters.
Delaying Skull and Bones to maximize the financial returns or to minimize the financial loss is a prudent and wise choice for a company that, not too long ago, was reportedly laughed out of the room for trying to sell itself to potential buyers.
Adding a unique layer to the financial facet is Ubisoft’s involvement with the Singapore government. Having procured subsidies from the Singapore government for Skull and Bones, Ubisoft is committed to seeing the project through. This brings about a dual-pronged advantage: On one hand, the company is legally bound to deliver the game, ensuring that invested fans will indeed receive the product. On the other, Ubisoft can strategically use the delay to better position the game’s release, potentially setting it in a fiscal year where other more profitable titles can offset losses it may incur or to help make the company more appealing for acquisitions, possibly even both.
Ubisoft’s broader portfolio of games and projects in the pipeline plays a role in this decision-making matrix. Ubisoft has a robust lineup of games titles like Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Just Dance 2024 set for release already. Balancing these releases allows Ubisoft to maintain a consistent engagement level with its audience to ensure that each title gets its deserved spotlight and doesn’t cannibalize the attention or sales of another.
Ubisoft’s decision to delay Skull and Bones, while frustrating for eager fans, emerges as a calculated decision backed by both quality concerns and financial strategizing. Still, there’s hope that the culmination of this long wait will be a game that sets new benchmarks and justifies every moment of its prolonged gestation.
For now though, fans can look forward to an update regarding the rumored remake of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, which may or may not exist.
