There’s a great brewery here in Ohio, based out of Cincinnati, called Rhinegeist. They make a lot of really awesome beer, including one of my all-time favorite India Pale Ales called “Truth.” I buy it from the local general store in six-packs and drink it out of a can (a really stunning, well-designed can), but if I presented this beer to you in a snifter and asked you to take a small sip while detailing the hoppy, citrus and mango notes that are delighting your palate, and then asked you to slowly breathe the dry and bitter finish through your nose, you’d think that it was a beer for kings. I have one can of Truth left in my refrigerator, and tonight, I’m pouring it in a glass and raising that glass to Ubisoft.
Yes, you read that right. I’ve really come around to this publisher, and I don’t care who knows it. I know it’s fashionable for gamers to hate Ubisoft, but I think that these guys could really be turning things around for 2016 and beyond. Whereas companies like Bungie started out fan-friendly and are now experimenting with ever-more-divisive business models, implementing more audacious microtransaction schemes and booster gimmicks for crazy high prices, Ubisoft seems to be finding a sweet spot; resting at the fulcrum between service to fans and smart profitability.
Ubi traditionally isn’t known as a publisher that takes notice of consumer feedback, but things are looking different, now. Ubisoft took some big risks with its latest AAA release, its biggest shooter of the year, and so far there seems to be every indication that a solid team has been allocated to the maintenance and improvement of the game for the foreseeable future. Yes, I offer Rainbow Six Siege as irrefutable proof that Ubisoft has changed its ways; the prodigal publisher is making its way back home and finding favor with dedicated fans once again. This isn’t a piece about how great the game is. The game is incredible, and incredibly challenging; you won’t find a deeper or more rewarding tactical shooter anywhere else. I want to talk about the extra content for this game, and how maturely Ubisoft is handling DLC and support.
Let’s start with support. Siege has received its first patch, and Ubisoft offered up some very detailed patch notes on its forum; not something we’re used to seeing from Ubi. It wanted to make sure that we know exactly what’s been fixed, why certain changes have been made, what’s still in development, and how we’re making a difference. Throughout the beta period (which I participated in), Ubisoft representatives were very actively engaged with the community through a subreddit, and conducted a question and answer session after the game’s release to gauge satisfaction and ask for suggestions. This is something we’re used to seeing with smaller, indie developers, and it’s nice to see a AAA publisher so dedicated to a game that we love.
That patch addressed almost every single bug and every single complaint that players were voicing through multiple channel. The patch notes addressed everything else; the stuff that will take some time to iron out. As a huge fan of the game, my only complaints arose out of frustration with the servers and matchmaking, and some funky physics bugs. That stuff was handled, and bunches of balancing tweaks that I didn’t even know I wanted were implemented as well. This wouldn’t have been possible without some excellent communication between fans and developers. What more is there to gripe about? Microtransactions, I hear you say?
I’ll have you know that I’ve never paid for a season pass for any game, and I just bought the season pass for Siege. Did it give me a huge advantage? No, actually it didn’t at all. The in-game currency I unlocked can be earned by playing three matches online, and I get a permanent, 5% renown (currency) boost which is negligible except in the long, long run. Other than that, the season pass grants me some new operators a week before they’re available to everyone else. Truly, I bought that pass to support the team behind this game in hopes that they’ll continue to support it lovingly.
All players will be getting all of the new maps for free, so there will be no division among the player-base, and every new operator can be purchased with renown. Heck, even non season pass holders who sign up for Ubisoft Club (for free) can buy renown boosters with their earned points, and should have no trouble at all saving up for those new operators. Everything else is cosmetic. Cheers, Ubisoft. Keep up the good work and ignore the haters. I think we have a bright future ahead of us. Damn, this beer is good.