Righty, maybe I am starting to get paranoid about the beta silence, but as you may have noticed, Ubisoft is in the middle of a big fight against a hostile takeover by Vivendi, a french media company about 10x the size of Ubisoft. I am wondering if the dead silence about Steep has to do with this. After all, Steep is not a genre that every publisher would touch. There is no gore, no guns, only 'comical' violance with the ragdolling. I really hope the development of Steep is not in jeopardy because of the Vivendi limbo.
Regarding Vivendi and Ubisoft, I hope Ubisodt makes it. Sure, they messed up a few times the last years with rushed out releases and customers touch their games with caution these days, but Ubisoft has been there for as long as I can remember. First time Ubisoft appeared on my radar was when I was a little boy and nicked a copy of B.A.T. 2 from the mall, which at that point was very expensive. Felt like a little king when I put it into the floppy disk drive at home. Eversince, Ubisoft was always there, has always created interesting games. Kind of grew up with them. Would hate to see them disappear!
I hear you Trials and it could be a reason for lack of info coming our way. I think, with the game being as far developed as it is, they'd be wasting a lot of money pulling the game when it's probably more financially viable to just get it finished and published so they some return on the investment. Maybe internally at Ubi things are a bit up in the air with who will be managing the project so they're not sure of the timescale of release, hence no news? Stay positive dude.
I haven't heard much about the hostile takeover lately. Ubisoft just announced the formation of a new publishing label for all future print products connected to their franchises. This isn't a move they would make if their future was uncertain. Also, plenty of movies in the planning stages from Ubisoft's film studio. With all these new projects being adopted it doesn't seem that they are too concerned about being bought out by Vivendi. The lack of PR for Steep could be attributed to more marketing money going towards Watch Dogs 2. If a game like this doesn't get the word pushed out by the publisher close to release, it could also be an indicator of the game being delayed. Steep is happening for sure though and it looks like Ubisoft will remain independent for the foreseeable future![]()
Steep is coming even if the hostile takeover takes place. They won't throw the hard work and development away. But I'm still worried about Steep if Vivendi is able to do the takeover. Not about the release but about the future content and free game updates like in r6 Siege. I think there won't be anything of this if it happens. But we have to stay positive.
Really feel you Trails. And it's something that's also been on my mind for a wile now. Especially since they managed to get a controlling interest in Gameloft. Wile i don't really mind the takeover on Gameloft (not a fan of mobile gaming) it does show intent which i dislike for Ubi. I do know that Yves is working his *** of right now to get an extra 3.5% shares in the company which would keep him in charge and the majority share holder. I do really hope that that works out.
Now for the release of STEEP and others. Nah. Like Imk_ i do think it won't trow a wrench towards the release of the game. It's future however i would be unsure about. Tbh i would be unsure about anything Ubisoft related with a Vivendi at the steering wheel. To me it's like an investors firm taking over an art studio. Only directed to making as much profit as possible no matter the results and consequences for the studio's that work for them. And i'm not necessarily talking about the survival of a studio but also the work environment of the artists and coders (i know it's sometimes part of the job. But i've heard about stories of a horrific change in work ethics after a bad takeover).
There is some mentioning about the takeover in this interview with Yves btw. It's a pretty nice read and i can really understand the motivation of his answers. Also wile it's not STEEP related i really really love his answer towards the questions about the next AC game. It's ready when it's ready. Best mentality to have for creating a great game![]()
Interview: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ubi.../1100-6443817/
Whilst the potential upheaval of a Vivendi buyout cannot be understated.. we should remember that they are shopping not because Ubi are weak, but precisely because they are thriving and performing SO well. That's why they're wanted. And it also means they have more fighting force for a defence.. just as TJ elegantly explains with Yves and the board attempting a rescue amongst other measures.
It will have no effect whatsoever on Steep. None. Categorically. Not only will the game be out (and many others) before this is resolved, but a change in ownership would likely see things remain largely the same - especially as what they're doing is profitable - Vivendi would just say 'keep doing what you're doing'. No noticeable shift to our view.
The only thing of genuine concern is the livelihoods of the Ubi clan, and personally I hope they would only benefit from new opportunities if the shift took place. Would love dearly to see Ubi stay just Ubi though, and we can be very confident that Yves and all are pursuing that hungrily too..
most companies are bought when they are weak (= cheap) or before something big enters the market (product wise).
the way ubi has served paying customers in the past year (or two) is so bad, that siege is the last game i purchased from ubi.
and if siege was an "exception", division would have been an uber game. "where" is it now?
rainbow has not only suffered (no free gun/ammo/gadget selection for each op), but has less content (missing a single player/campaign mode) while price doubled (vs lockdown), boosters run down in real-time (instead of in-game time), and uses lots of resources/gpu power to get decent fps with high IQ settings.
not even talking about the fact we're now at v4.2 and game still behaves like in the first week after release.
those things are ALWAYS a result of decisions made by the top level. no matter if its hiring "incompetent" workers, or cutting corners at development to save money and get a bigger bonus at release/end of quarter).
if a takeover changes that for the better (will be hard to make it worse), i'm perfectly fine with it....