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Exciting news for gamers! Ubisoft has officially announced that a new installment in the Ghost Recon franchise is in the works. This is the first addition to the series since the release of Ghost Recon: Breakpoint back in 2019. During their latest annual general shareholders’ meeting, CEO Yves Guillemot shared insights about the company’s future strategy, hinting at a potential shift towards a live service model. But what does this mean for fans of the franchise?
At the meeting, Guillemot highlighted Ubisoft’s success with live service games, pointing to Rainbow Six: Siege as a benchmark for future projects. He stated, “In addition to the flagship game that I just mentioned, our objective is to also make strong progress in the growing market… by continuing to enhance our current experiences that we offer—and capitalizing on upcoming launches, such as The Division and Ghost Recon.” This commitment suggests that Ubisoft is ready to evolve Ghost Recon in a way that mirrors the success of its other franchises.
Adding to this, Frederick Duguet, Ubisoft’s CFO, shed light on their investment strategy involving Tencent, which recently acquired a 25% stake in a new subsidiary formed by Ubisoft. Duguet mentioned that the funds from this investment would support the development of major brand names, emphasizing Ghost Recon as a priority. This investment also aims to boost live games, with titles like The Crew and For Honor in the spotlight.
What to Expect from the New Title
While specific details about the upcoming Ghost Recon title are still under wraps, whispers have been circulating for years that Ubisoft Paris has been developing the game under the codename OVER since 2021. It’s still unclear whether this project is the same one Guillemot referred to or if it’s an entirely different endeavor. Nonetheless, his comments suggest that this new title could follow a live service model, aligning with Ubisoft’s recent strategies, especially given the positive reception of The Division 2.
Remember, the last installment, Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, attempted to adopt a live service approach but faced criticism at launch. Ubisoft later rolled out significant updates to improve the game’s reputation, which may have influenced their decision to pursue a similar strategy for the next installment. Fans are undoubtedly eager to see if this new title will deliver a better experience from the get-go.
A Possible Shift in Gameplay Style
Duguet’s mention of the game being an FPS experience has sparked conversations about a possible return to the franchise’s tactical first-person shooter roots. The last two entries, Wildlands and Breakpoint, primarily featured third-person cover shooter mechanics. If Ubisoft is indeed pivoting back to a first-person perspective, it could signal a return to the series’ origins—or perhaps it’s just a nod to a more action-oriented gameplay style.
It’s also worth noting that Ubisoft previously tried a live service format with the free-to-play battle royale shooter Ghost Recon: Frontline, which faced significant backlash and was ultimately canceled. Observers are keen to see how Ubisoft has adjusted its strategy based on that experience and whether the lessons learned will influence the development of this new Ghost Recon game. Will they hit the nail on the head this time around?