In a twist that feels like Ubisoft just dropped a smoke bomb and vanished mid-hype, the publisher has officially confirmed it won’t be hosting its annual Ubisoft Forward showcase in 2025. But before you start mourning your June livestream calendar, don’t panic — they’re not going totally radio silent. Instead, Ubisoft is crashing other people’s parties.
The TL;DR: No Forward, But They’re Not Backward Either
Ubisoft Forward, which has been the company’s go-to E3-style event since E3 imploded harder than a buggy launch, is taking a year off. Rather than running their own livestream, Ubisoft will appear at IGN Live (June 7-8), PC Gaming Show (June 9), and Gamescom (August).
According to Ubisoft, they’re “always eager to connect with our players and showcase our games,” and this new strategy is about being more flexible and meeting gamers where they are. Translation: fewer production costs, same hype potential.
Why the Sudden Change?
Let’s be real — this probably isn’t just about community vibes and schedule flexibility. Ubisoft has been quietly tightening its belt over the past couple of years:
- Multiple project cancellations (including some unannounced titles)
- Layoffs and restructuring within Ubisoft Montreal and other studios
- Delayed blockbusters like Skull and Bones (a.k.a. the gaming world’s eternal punchline)
Also, journalist Stephen Totilo of Game File noted that Ubisoft doesn’t have many big launches lined up for the latter half of 2025, making a big Forward event potentially feel… empty. It’s hard to throw a party if you don’t have much to show off.
What Games Could Show Up?
Even if they’re not going solo, Ubisoft still has some ammo in the chamber:
- Star Wars Outlaws: Massive Entertainment’s open-world Star Wars game is supposed to drop this year. Expect a big marketing push.
- Assassin’s Creed Codename RED: The long-awaited Feudal Japan AC game. If it’s not ready for this fall, it might at least get teased.
- XDefiant: It finally launched, but you can bet they’ll keep pushing updates and seasonal content.
- The Division Heartland: Still floating around in beta limbo.
Why This Actually Makes Sense
Putting on a major showcase isn’t cheap, and let’s face it, gamers are watching IGN, PC Gamer, Summer Game Fest, and Gamescom anyway. Why spend millions on your own party when you can bring a keg to someone else’s?
Plus, the fragmentation of E3 season means attention is scattered. By showing up at multiple events, Ubisoft could potentially reach wider audiences without banking on one big moment.
But… We’ll Miss the Chaos
Ubisoft Forward had its charm: cringe dev skits, over-enthusiastic presenters, and the occasional “wait, that actually looks fire” surprise. There’s something about a publisher putting its cards on the table all at once that still hits different.
But hey, if the games are good and the reveals are hype, who cares if they’re spread across three different livestreams?
What do you think? Will you miss the dedicated Ubisoft Forward, or are you cool with this multi-event approach? And most importantly — are we ever actually getting Beyond Good & Evil 2?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to bookmark our Summer Game Fest Tracker. You’re gonna need it.
