French gaming company Ubisoft sparked a new debate in the gaming world with a statement in its 2025 financial report. The company stated that the microtransactions it integrates into its games make the player experience “more enjoyable.” This statement was met with strong criticism from the gaming community, who criticized the inclusion of such a system, even in single-player games.

Ubisoft to Maintain Microtransactions

According to Ubisoft’s report, players can experience the entire game without paying any additional fees after purchasing a premium, full-version game. However, the company notes that some elements offered through microtransactions, in addition to this model, enhance the player experience.

The statement states, “Our monetization offering in premium games makes the player experience more enjoyable by allowing players to customize their avatars or progress faster.”

The emphasis on “faster progression” in this statement echoes the industry-wide “pay-to-win” model, meaning gaining an advantage by paying. While this system is sometimes accepted in free-to-play online games, the rationale for this model for single-player games, where players have already paid full price, is questionable. Players have expressed concern that the in-game progress of non-paying users is being deliberately slowed.

Ubisoft maintains that equipment and weapons acquired through in-game microtransactions are also accessible through the natural flow of the game. However, this defense is losing credibility with players.

The content in question is perceived as billboards that are frequently encountered and cannot be removed unless payment is made. This directly impacts the gameplay experience.

Microtransactions first entered Ubisoft’s games with Assassin’s Creed Origins, released in 2017. Since then, the company has continued to use similar systems in nearly all of its premium titles, including Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. This approach has become a permanent part of the company’s revenue model.

There’s been no official statement on whether the recently announced new Ghost Recon game will feature a similar payment model. However, Ubisoft’s outspoken defense of microtransactions in its financial report suggests that this system will remain a core strategy for the company in the future.