Tag: Far Cry 7

  • Ubisoft Tests Generative AI in Far Cry 7

    Ubisoft Tests Generative AI in Far Cry 7

    Key Takeaway

    – Ubisoft is heavily investing in generative AI despite a record financial loss and job cuts, using Far Cry 7 as a research testbed for AI tools.
    – Projects like “Teammates” aim to create memory-enabled, real-time conversational NPCs via Google Gemini, with La Forge leading the effort.
    – The AI push follows past controversial experiments (e.g., NFT Quartz) and hasn’t yet shown clear evidence of impacting final releases; investors remain skeptical.
    – The company reported a €1.3B operating loss for 2025-26, cash support from Tencent, and expects a low free-cash-flow year ahead before any rebound.

    Ubisoft is pushing ahead with aggressive investments in generative AI, even as the gaming giant faces its worst financial year in history. According to a recent report, the company is using an early build of the unannounced Far Cry 7 as a testing ground for these new AI tools.

    Industry Developments

    As first reported by The Gamer, Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming briefly posted on X that the generative AI stuff currently “looks like sh*t” before deleting the post. However, Henderson explained that Far Cry 7 is being used purely for research and development purposes, so fans shouldn’t necessarily expect AI generated content to make it into the game’s final release.

    Financial Snapshot

    This news follows Ubisoft’s recent earnings report, which showed a record operating loss of €1.3 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year. It’s been a tough ride for the publisher. Net bookings have dropped by over 17 percent down to €1.53 billion, seven game projects were outright canceled, six more were delayed, and roughly 1,200 employees lost their jobs over the past year.

    Strategic Support

    A major €1.16 billion cash injection from a Tencent transaction helped keep the company’s balance sheet somewhat stable, but Ubisoft warned investors that the next fiscal year will be a low point for free cash flow before any projected rebound.

    AI Commitments

    Despite the financial bleeding, Ubisoft is heavily doubling down on artificial intelligence. The publisher said in its earnings report that it is increasing investments in generative AI to build dynamic NPCs and quality assurance bots.

    • One of the big ones is a project called “Teammates,” an R&D experiment built on Google Gemini that seeks to make NPCs into conversational companions that can remember player interactions and respond in real-time. Ubisoft’s La Forge division is heading up the project, and the company has already shown off similar AI tech in partnership with Nvidia and Inworld AI at the Game Developers Conference.

    Historical Context

    For longtime observers of the company, this aggressive push into a controversial new tech trend might feel a bit familiar. Back in late 2021, Ubisoft chased the NFT craze by launching the Quartz platform in Ghost Recon Breakpoint, a move that was ultimately abandoned following intense backlash from players.

    Market Reactions

    Now, they are facing similar skepticism from both gamers and the stock market. When Ubisoft first announced its accelerated investments in AI back in January, the news triggered a massive 34 percent collapse in its share price in a single day, dropping the company’s market cap below €1 billion.

    Whether their expensive bet on AI will actually pay off in future titles or become another abandoned experiment remains to be seen, but for now, the publisher is weathering a historic financial storm while banking heavily on the tech.

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  • Ubisoft CEO: Far Cry Series to Emphasize Multiplayer Gameplay

    Ubisoft CEO: Far Cry Series to Emphasize Multiplayer Gameplay

    Key Takeaways

    1. Ubisoft is shifting the Far Cry franchise to focus more on multiplayer gaming, moving away from traditional single-player modes.
    2. Far Cry 7 is in development, utilizing a new game engine and set in the Alaskan wilderness, with an expected launch in 2026.
    3. The game is codenamed ‘Blackbird’ and may adopt a live-service model, which has received mixed reactions from players.
    4. An unannounced extraction shooter, referred to as ‘Maverick,’ is also in development, raising concerns about its connection to the Far Cry brand.
    5. Plans for an Assassin’s Creed Mirage DLC in collaboration with the Saudi government are underway, with potential cultural sensitivities regarding historical context.

    Moving ahead, the Far Cry franchise is set to make a significant change by focusing more on multiplayer gaming. This announcement came from Ubisoft’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, during a conference in Saudi Arabia back in August 2025, as reported by GameFile.

    New Vision for Far Cry

    Guillemot shared the fresh perspective for Far Cry, saying, “Our aim with Far Cry is truly to emphasize multiplayer elements more, allowing it to be enjoyed for an extended period by gamers.” Ubisoft plans to shift from the series’ traditional single-player mode, which had included some cooperative features starting with Far Cry 4. Given Guillemot’s remarks, it’s possible that Far Cry will adopt a live-service model, a concept that has faced criticism from many players.

    Development of Far Cry 7

    Currently, Ubisoft is allegedly developing Far Cry 7, moving away from the older Dunia engine to create a new multiplayer-only game set in the Alaskan wilderness. This marks a significant change, especially since the Dunia engine has powered many mainline Far Cry games since Far Cry 2 in 2008, with various technical updates over the years.

    In addition, a fresh report from Nash Weedle, a well-known industry insider recognized for Nintendo news, has shed light on Ubisoft’s upcoming Far Cry project. It’s said that Far Cry 7 is likely to be launched in 2026 and will also be available on the Nintendo Switch 2.

    Codename and Future Prospects

    Far Cry 7 is reportedly being worked on under the codename ‘Blackbird,’ while Guillemot has mentioned an unannounced extraction shooter referred to as ‘Maverick.’ It remains uncertain how a Far Cry extraction shooter will perform in today’s gaming environment. Several sources involved in the development of both Blackbird and Maverick are doubtful about the game’s potential to leverage the Far Cry brand or introduce anything particularly engaging or novel.

    Moreover, Guillemot revealed plans for an Assassin’s Creed Mirage DLC, created in collaboration with the Saudi government, which is said to take place in the 9th-century Al-’Ula region of the Arabian Peninsula.

    Concerns About Historical Context

    However, questions arise regarding how the game’s parkour features will be adapted to fit the desert landscape, especially since the nearest historical cities in 9th-century Al-’Ula include Makkah, Medina, Jeddah, and Yanbu, all of which hold significant religious importance in Islam and might spark controversy in some circles.

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  • Ubisoft Major Games Delayed: Far Cry 7 and More After Losses

    Ubisoft Major Games Delayed: Far Cry 7 and More After Losses

    Key Takeaways

    1. Ubisoft reported a net loss of $178 million and a revenue decrease of 17.5% for 2024-25.
    2. The company plans to delay major game releases, including Far Cry 7, potentially until late 2026.
    3. Ubisoft aims to use the successful strategy of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for future titles.
    4. Upcoming projects include a rumored multiplayer game called Invictus and a possible remake of Black Flag, but timelines are uncertain.
    5. Ubisoft hopes a remake of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time and Anno 117: Pax Romana will stabilize finances, with profit expectations for 2026-27 and 2027-28.

    Ubisoft recently shared its financial outcomes for 2024-25, which will influence its strategies for popular franchises. Gamers may not see new major Ubisoft titles soon. Instead, the company is looking at the success of Assassin’s Creed Shadows as a model. That game achieved impressive sales even with several delays. Ubisoft plans to use this same method for other awaited games, such as Far Cry 7.

    Financial Struggles

    The French company reported a significant net loss of $178 million, with a revenue decrease of 17.5 percent compared to last year. Ubisoft has already set modest expectations for the fiscal year 2025-26. Still, it holds hope that a remake of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time and Anno 117: Pax Romana will help keep them stable. The company expects profits to rise with the next installments of its major franchises in 2026-27 and 2027-28.

    Release Delays

    According to Insider Gaming, Ubisoft’s new strategy may delay the release of Far Cry 7. Normally, this action-adventure/shooter series has regular releases, but the next game might not launch until late 2026. The darker-themed Assassin’s Creed Hexe is also likely not to be released until at least 2027.

    Future Projects

    However, fans of Assassin’s Creed might not have to wait too long for a new title. There are rumors about a multiplayer game inspired by Fall Guys called Invictus being developed. A remake of Black Flag could also be happening, but the timeline for these projects is still unclear.

    Ubisoft seems focused on staying afloat until its upcoming games are ready for launch. Nevertheless, this strategy carries risks. Warner Bros. Games recently experienced the consequences of a sparse release schedule, with a 48% drop in revenue for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same timeframe in 2024. Luckily for Ubisoft, the success of Assassin’s Creed Shadows alone may keep it going for the next few months.

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    Ubisoft Major Games Delayed: Far Cry 7 and More After LossesUbisoft Major Games Delayed: Far Cry 7 and More After Losses
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