Ubisoft warned investors about a growing problem in the gaming industry. In a new financial report, the company stated that overly long development can seriously harm a game's success, even if it is well-polished by release.
According to the publisher, it is important not to release a project too early or to prolong development. If a game is released too late, audience interest may wane, and the project itself may cease to meet modern market standards.
Ubisoft noted that last year they had already warned about the risks of premature releases, and now they have added the problem of multi-year delays. In a highly competitive environment, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain player attention for many years.
Although the company did not name specific projects, the statement came amid the prolonged development of several major games, including Beyond Good & Evil 2, announced back in 2008.
Ubisoft reminded that the mobile versions of Rainbow Six and The Division started weaker than expected, and interest in Assassin's Creed Shadows decreased over time. The company emphasized that it does not intend to rush releases at any cost, considering the main balance between game quality and the right release timing.