Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the beloved 2013 pirate adventure, has launched on Steam to a record-breaking concurrent player count of nearly 100,000. However, the celebration is marred by controversy over day one DLC packs totaling £76.21, leaving many fans feeling misled.
Record Player Count but Controversial DLC
The remake updates visuals, adds new missions, and reworks combat, but omits the original's multiplayer mode and Freedom Cry DLC. Instead, Ubisoft offers nine additional DLC packs, with two included in the deluxe edition. The remaining seven cost £8.99 each, covering cosmetic gear for protagonist Edward Kenway and his ship, plus a map pack for collectibles. None add substantial gameplay content.
Fan Outrage on Steam
Players who purchased the deluxe edition expecting a complete package expressed frustration. One Steam user wrote: 'Bought the Deluxe Edition, foolishly thinking I’d be buying the full game. Here I was thinking Ubisoft had turned a new leaf, then wham, they hit you with over £75 of additional day one DLC.' Another added: 'What’s the point of getting the deluxe version when, immediately in game, there’s $84.91 worth of DLC that you don’t own? Ubisoft also deleted my Uplay points, so there’s even more I can’t access. Ubisoft, who hurt you?!'
Ubisoft's Response
In a reply to a similar complaint, Ubisoft stated: 'We’ve seen your feedback since launch, and we’re reading all of it. Thank you for caring this much about Black Flag Resynced. We want to be clear on one point: the standard edition is the full, complete experience. Every mission, every island, the full story and the complete world are all there, with nothing held back. The additional packs are entirely optional extras for players who want them, never a requirement to enjoy or complete the game. We’ll keep listening as you play!'
Mixed Reviews and Layoffs
Despite the backlash, Black Flag Resynced holds a 71% 'mostly positive' rating on Steam, suggesting the discontent is limited to a vocal minority. Meanwhile, Insider Gaming reports that 51 developers at Ubisoft Barcelona were laid off before the game's launch, with employees planning a strike to challenge the decision.
