Ubisoft Reportedly Wants Steam to Hide Concurrent Player Count Data

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Ubisoft Reportedly Wants Steam to Hide Concurrent Player Count Data

Key Takeaways

  • According to a report, Ubisoft wants Valve to limit player count visibility on Steam to present a more favorable picture to investors.
  • Many gaming companies are becoming more guarded with player data due to recent struggles in the industry.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt and a keen eye for industry trends, I find myself intrigued by Ubisoft’s recent request to Valve regarding Steam player count visibility. The gaming landscape has certainly changed over the years, but the love for transparency and community engagement remains unshaken in me.

An insider from Ubisoft has disclosed that they have contacted Valve with a proposal to restrict the public display of player count data. This data, which shows the number of users playing a game simultaneously, is increasingly significant in the gaming world, particularly for titles featuring strong online communities driven by their popularity. While such figures can be crucial to players, this move could potentially benefit Ubisoft in the long run.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve noticed that game developers have grown more cautious about the data associated with their latest releases. While monitoring stock prices offers a general snapshot of a company’s health, the accessibility to player data and sales figures can differ greatly from one company to another, depending on the specific title. For instance, Square Enix has faced some challenges lately, leading them to keep updates about games like Final Fantasy 16 somewhat vague. On the other hand, Ubisoft, which experienced a few setbacks in 2024, might be aiming for tighter control over certain statistics to gain better insights into their performance.

A report from MP1ST, based on intel from an Ubisoft insider, suggests that Ubisoft has asked Valve to conceal or eliminate the number of concurrent players for their games on Steam. This supposedly stems from Ubisoft’s discontent with how these statistics are often discussed by gamers and media outlets, which can influence a game’s perceived success. The company is said to want to present a “more positive image” to investors who might be deterred by lower player counts. It’s rumored that Ubisoft isn’t alone in this request, as other companies have allegedly made similar requests to Valve.

Ubisoft May Want to Remove Its Steam Player Counts

This potential action might initiate a broader discussion about game production transparency, media coverage, and the information the public is entitled to access. Valve and its platform, Steam, are frequently commended for their gaming and community strategies. While Valve usually remains silent until a product is ready to be unveiled, Steam generally prioritizes openness with its user base. Ubisoft’s rumored decision to restrict Steam player count data might be due to recent challenges, yet the company has shown a desire for an approach closer to Steam’s in other aspects.

Over the last two months, Ubisoft has initiated an internal review aimed at enhancing a player-focused business model. While the company expresses its commitment to considering player input, restricting the information players can access about their games might strain the bond Ubisoft wants to foster with its audience. Conversely, addressing investor concerns about upcoming releases could offer a chance to concentrate on public relations and refining games, irrespective of their initial response. Whatever the immediate community response may be, it will be intriguing to observe if this potential approach could ultimately prove advantageous for Ubisoft.

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2024-11-27 01:03