Photo Credit: Gameblog
Ubisoft has responded to the intrusive advertising in Assassin's Creed Mirage, calling it a technical glitch and not a deliberate attempt at in-game advertising.
During the Black Friday sales, players encountered intrusive ads in Assassin's Creed Odyssey promoting Assassin's Creed Mirage, leading to dissatisfaction.
A prominent pop-up ad for the discounted Assassin's Creed Mirage appeared in Odyssey, sparking criticism due to the paid nature of the game.
While Ubisoft had previously used ads in game menus, the inclusion of full-screen ads in a paid game like Odyssey was met with more backlash.
Odyssey's status as a paid, narrative-focused game exacerbated the criticism, as players expect an ad-free experience from premium titles.
Concerns were raised that intrusive ads could hurt the popularity of Assassin's Creed Mirage if they became a regular occurrence.
Questions remain as to whether this advertising tactic will extend beyond Odyssey and whether Ubisoft plans similar strategies for other games.
In-game ads disrupt narrative immersion, which is a challenge despite the potential justification in free games.
Players express concern and anger on social media, adding credibility through shared experiences and videos.
Ubisoft's approach straddles the line between generating advertising revenue and maintaining a positive user experience, resulting in mixed opinions.