Murderer’s Creed Nexus VR “did okay” however Ubisoft’s CEO states gross sales disappointment means it is hesitant about additional VR funding.
Talking in a Q&A session discussing the French writer’s Q3 2024 fiscal 12 months earnings (reported by VGC), Ubisoft co-founder and CEO Yves Guillemot was requested about Quest 3, Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional and whether or not Ubisoft plans to develop additional VR software program. Guillemot highlighted his disappointment with Murderer’s Creed Nexus gross sales, confirming the writer is not prepared to make massive investments till VR “grows sufficient.”
This is the complete response.
We have now been a bit disillusioned by what we have been in a position to obtain on VR with Murderer’s Creed. It did okay, and it continues to promote, however we thought it could promote extra, so we’re not rising our funding on VR in the meanwhile, as a result of it must take off. We have now been very impressed by what Apple got here up with, and we expect it’s improbable {hardware}, however we proceed to take a look at this VR enterprise as one thing that we now have to take a look at however not make investments an excessive amount of in, till it grows sufficient.
There are a few takeaways we are able to glean from this. Firstly, Guillemot’s assertion solely confirms that VR funding is not being elevated. He does not state that it is actively reducing funding or canceling any initiatives, that means the upcoming Simply Dance VR is probably going protected. Initially introduced as a Pico unique in 2022, final November noticed Ubisoft inform UploadVR it is working with a brand new accomplice for the rhythm recreation adaptation. Extra on that under:
‘New Companion’ Takes Lead On Ubisoft’s Simply Dance VR
Unique: Former Pico unique Simply Dance VR is being completed with a ‘new accomplice’
Secondly, expectations from flatscreen AAA publishers are typically a lot greater than most VR builders. Whereas Ubisoft hasn’t printed actual gross sales figures, Nexus’ earliest in-game achievement (credit score to JustDaven) exhibits that is been earned by no less than 220k gamers. Nonetheless, that determine would not account for potential refunds.
It is also value remembering that whereas Quest 2 has offered round 20 million items to this point, consumer retention and common video games spending does not inherently translate into robust gross sales. Whereas Nexus is presently Quest unique, there’s additionally no assure {that a} multiplatform launch would enhance gross sales excessive sufficient to satisfy Ubisoft’s expectations.
By comparability, VR gaming stays an area largely dominated by indie studios with vastly completely different expectations. In December, Venture Demigod reached 100k gross sales throughout Steam and Quest App Lab earlier than its official launch earlier this month. Final month, Ghosts of Tabor celebrated earned $10 million throughout each platforms earlier than its current relaunch.
We had excessive reward in our Murderer’s Creed Nexus assessment. Awarding it our 2023 Quest Recreation of the 12 months, we thought-about it a “robust adaptation” that delivered “probably the most enjoyable [we’ve] ever had with Murderer’s Creed.”
Murderer’s Creed Nexus marks a triumphant return to residence VR for Ubisoft… Nexus demonstrates what a full-fledged VR entry can do for an enormous sequence, delivering a large marketing campaign with accessibility at its core. Gameplay feels effectively tailored from the primary sequence, parkour throughout such various environments is actually gratifying and that is backed by a powerful presentation.
Murderer’s Creed Nexus is solely accessible on the Meta Quest platform for $39.99.
Evaluation: Murderer’s Creed Nexus VR Stands Proud With The Fundamental Collection
Murderer’s Creed Nexus VR proudly stands alongside the primary sequence. Our full assessment:
