Ubisoft is dropping support for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and will release all of its future games except the regular rhythm game Just dance—on current generation platforms only.
The publisher confirmed the move during its annual earnings call, saying it would focus all of its efforts on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. There was no mention of any plans for Nintendo’s Wii U, although it has previously stated that Watchdogs would be the last “adult” title to launch on Nintendo’s console.
Last year, Ubisoft released several major titles on older hardware, including the critically acclaimed FarCry4. It also released two games in the Assassin’s Creed series, with Unit landing on the Xbox One, PS4 and PC, and Villain on Xbox 360 and PS3. Remarkable, Unit was the company’s first game developed exclusively for the newer platforms. Unfortunately, it suffered from several bugs and glitches, as well as a lukewarm critical reception.
However, that didn’t stop the company from bringing in more profits. Ubisoft devoted the rest of its earnings to the numbers, which rose across the board. The publisher reported €1.46 billion ($1.63 billion) in sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, up from €1 billion ($1.12 billion) before. Last year’s net loss of €49.3 million ($55 million) turned into a net profit of €112.7 million ($125.8 million).
Interestingly, Ubisoft noted a €147.5 million increase in R&D spending, which now exceeds €573.5 million. The results of all that extra spending could be revealed later this year in the form of another triple-A title. It’s not yet clear if it will be a new franchise or will use existing IP, but GameSpot has confirmed that the game will not be shown at E3 this year.
The publisher also noted that the forthcoming Rainbow Six Siege would arrive in Q3 of FY 2016 (i.e. this fall), with The division postponed to Q4 (sometime between January and March 2016). The just announced Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate still arriving this year though, launching October 23rd on PC, Xbox One, and PS4.
Ubisoft is the first major publisher to drop last-gen support for all of its major titles. Earlier this year, EA confirmed it would be making a “slow move” away from the Xbox 360 and PS3, with Star Wars Battlefront to be one of the first games to drop the older platforms. However, all of his new sports titles will still be cross-generational. Activision is coming Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3 will also drop the Xbox 360 and PS3, but other titles from the publisher – including the upcoming one Guitar hero live And Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5–will continue to cross generations.