Ubisoft Defends $90 Price Tag for Skull and Bones Amid Criticism

Ahead of the highly anticipated launch of its pirate action game Skull and Bones, Ubisoft confirms the game will be priced at $90. This decision sparked debate among players and critics, especially in light of the open beta testing conducted last week. During the test, gamers encountered access issues, leading to a wave of dissatisfaction due to technical glitches.

In response to queries about the justification for the price, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot stated that Skull and Bones is a "high-quality premium release" deserving of its $90 price tag. He emphasized that the game is a AAAA project, and its cost reflects the efforts and quality invested in its development.

This statement was made in the context of the company's quarterly report, where Guillemot explained the decision against adopting a freemium distribution model despite the game featuring a service model, in-game store, and battle pass. According to him, the company aims to offer players a complete product that justifies its cost with a unique gaming experience.

Criticism of Ubisoft's pricing policy is not new, but it is rarely addressed at investor meetings, as noted by PC Gamer. Pricing queries are often seen as veiled criticism, especially when it concerns high-quality game projects.

Skull and Bones is scheduled for release on February 16th on PC (via Ubisoft Connect and EGS), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Buyers of the premium edition and Ubisoft+ subscribers will gain access to the game three days ahead of the official launch, providing an additional advantage for pre-orders.