Thursday, 25 Jul 2024

Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD Remains Playable to Owners, Ubisoft Clarifies

Ubisoft recently announced the decommissioning of several of its titles, including Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD, on Steam. This decision caused concern among the game’s owners, as Ubisoft’s notice initially implied that access to the game would be lost in September. However, Ubisoft has now clarified that this is not the case.

A Temporary Removal from Steam

Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD has been temporarily removed from Steam as part of Ubisoft’s larger decommissioning process. This process involves ceasing online services for several titles, particularly on PC. Additionally, the DLC for these games will become inaccessible.

A Temporary Cause for Alarm

The notice displayed on the now-defunct Steam page for Liberation HD raised concerns among players. It stated, “At the request of the publisher, Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD is no longer available for sale on Steam.” A more troubling notice added, “Please note that this title will not be accessible following September 1st, 2022.”

This announcement led to an uproar for several reasons. Firstly, Ubisoft’s initial decommissioning post did not make it clear that owners would lose access to Liberation HD entirely. Secondly, the game was heavily discounted during the recent Steam Summer Sale, leading new owners to express anger and confusion. They felt deceived into purchasing a game that would soon be useless. Lastly, since Ubisoft did not offer refunds, many saw this move as deceptive and a breach of consumer trust.

Ubisoft’s Response

Ubisoft has addressed the matter in a statement to IGN, clarifying the situation. The publisher assures owners of Liberation HD and the other decommissioned titles that they will still be able to “access, play, or redownload” the games even after the online services and DLC functionality cease in September. Ubisoft acknowledges the need to update the storefront information for the affected titles and emphasizes its commitment to keeping these legacy games available to players in the best possible conditions.

Reassurance for Steam Users

Steam users who own Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD can now be relieved that they will still have access to the game. Although the broader decommissioning decision is still disappointing, Ubisoft’s clarification ensures that players won’t have their purchased game taken away from them.

FAQs

Q: What is the reason behind Ubisoft’s decommissioning of certain titles on Steam?
A: Ubisoft has decided to cease online services for several titles, including Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD, on September 1st, 2022.

Q: Can players still access the DLC for the decommissioned titles?
A: No, once the online services and DLC functionality cease, the DLC for these titles will become inaccessible.

Q: Will players receive refunds for Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD?
A: Ubisoft has not offered refunds for the game.

Conclusion

Ubisoft’s decision to temporarily remove Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD from Steam as part of its decommissioning process caused confusion and concern among players. However, the publisher has clarified that owners of the game will still be able to access and play it after the online services cease. While the decommissioning decision is disappointing, it is reassuring to know that the game will remain playable. The commitment to keeping these legacy titles available demonstrates Ubisoft’s dedication to its players’ gaming experience.