In January 2024, Ubisoft subscription director Philippe Tremblay argued that players may become more comfortable accessing games through subscriptions instead of buying each title. He did not announce that Ubisoft would stop selling games: he also said the company offered both purchase and subscription, and that the choice should belong to players.
What did the Ubisoft executive say?
In an interview reported by MobileSyrup on January 17, 2024, Philippe Tremblay compared the shift toward game subscriptions with consumers moving away from owning CD and DVD collections. He said that getting comfortable “with not owning your game” was a change in consumer habits that was happening more slowly in games.
His reassurance focused on saved progress: he said players would not lose their progress or what they had built in a game if they returned later. That addresses continuity of a save file; it does not establish that a subscription catalog will stay the same or that a game will remain playable indefinitely. MobileSyrup’s January 2024 report reproduced Tremblay’s remarks.
Was Ubisoft saying it would stop selling games?
No. GameSpot reported Tremblay’s qualification: “The point is not to force users to go down one route or another,” and “We offer purchase, we offer subscription, and it’s the gamer’s preference that is important here.” Ubisoft’s remarks framed subscriptions as an alternative, not a declared end to purchases. GameSpot also reported Ubisoft expected physical game sales to remain a major part of the industry for the foreseeable future. GameSpot’s January 2024 coverage provides that context.
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What was the Ubisoft+ context?
The comments came amid Ubisoft+’s subscription strategy. The service details below are what outlets reported in January 2024, not verified current prices, catalog contents, platforms, or terms.
| Service detail | What January 2024 coverage reported |
|---|---|
| Ubisoft+ Premium | GameSpot listed $17.99 per month, day-one access to new releases, early access to select games, and support for PC, Xbox, and Amazon Luna. These are historical reported details, not current verified terms. Source |
| Ubisoft+ Classics on PC | Game Developer reported $7.99 per month for a curated selection of back-catalog and live titles. This is a historical reported price and catalog description. Source |
Game Developer’s January 2024 report also attributed several performance comments to Tremblay: Ubisoft+ had received “millions” of sign-ups since launch, one in 10 subscribers had never played a Ubisoft game before, and October 2023 had been the service’s highest month for monthly active users since launch. No exact subscriber total was disclosed. These were interview-period statements, not audited or independently measured current figures. Game Developer’s report has the attribution and context.
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Does keeping a save file mean you still own or can play the game?
No. Three separate questions are easy to conflate: whether your save progress remains, whether you have a purchase or subscription license, and whether the game remains available and operational. Tremblay’s point concerned progress and engagement; it did not promise permanent access to every subscribed game.
The Crew illustrates why the distinction matters. In January 2024, Nintendo Wire covered the announced server closure for the online-dependent game. A later Windows Central report quoted Ubisoft’s position in litigation over The Crew: purchasers received a limited license to access the game, rather than “unfettered ownership rights.” That was Ubisoft’s argument in a specific legal dispute, not a universal court ruling on all games or a complete statement of the law. Nintendo Wire’s report on The Crew server closure and Windows Central’s account of Ubisoft’s litigation position describe those separate developments.
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A physical copy gives you a tangible item and may offer a different route to access, but a disc alone does not guarantee perpetual play or offline access if the game depends on online servers. The Crew’s shutdown is a concrete reminder that buying a copy and being able to run a game forever are not necessarily the same thing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should players weigh before choosing a subscription or purchase?
The better option depends on the games you want and how you play. Check these points for the specific title and service rather than assuming that every subscription or disc works the same way:
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- Cost pattern: Compare a one-time purchase with recurring subscription payments over the period you expect to play.
- Catalog access: Confirm which games are included and whether the title could leave the catalog while you are subscribed.
- Entitlement: Check whether access depends on an active subscription, account, or online service.
- Offline play: Look up whether the game has an offline mode and whether it requires an initial connection or periodic sign-in.
- Save data: Check how saves are stored and whether they remain usable if you cancel or switch platforms.
- Physical media limits: Verify whether the disc contains a playable version or whether important features rely on downloads or servers.
Why did the comments draw criticism?
The argument over subscriptions is not only about convenience. Larian founder and CEO Swen Vincke responded that if subscriptions became dominant, a smaller group could gain more influence over which games reach the market; he advocated direct connections between developers and players. That was a contemporaneous concern, not a demonstrated forecast. Netflix’s Castlevania director Samuel Deats also objected to treating subscription streaming as a model for games, calling it a “freaking mess” in his own industry and defending direct purchases. His comment was an opinion, not evidence that game subscriptions will produce the same outcomes.
Those reactions highlight a trade-off behind Tremblay’s comparison: subscriptions can lower the barrier to trying included games, while purchase-based access gives players a different relationship to individual titles. Neither model by itself guarantees that a game will remain available forever; the title’s license, platform, and dependence on servers matter too.
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