Ubisoft wants Steam to hide concurrent player count data

A Ubisoft insiders have shared that people at the company have reached out to Valve and asked to limit the visibility of player count data. Meanwhile, player count has become a valuable source of information in the gaming industry, especially when so many video games include aspects of the online community that are enhanced by their popularity. Despite how important these numbers may be to players, this plan could help Ubisoft in the long run.

Many gaming companies have become more protective of data around their latest releases. While tracking stock prices can give people an idea of ​​how a company is doing overall, the ability to see player data and sales figures varies by company and title. Square Enix has been struggling of late, and the company has opted to provide sales updates on titles such as Final Fantasy 16 more unclear. Ubisoft has taken a couple of hits in 2024, and its bosses may want more control over some of these stats.

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An MP1ST report sourced to Fandom Pulse discusses information shared by a Ubisoft insider and says the company has requested that Valve restrict access to player count data on Steam. According to these rumors, Ubisoft would like the concurrent player counts for games on Steam to be either hidden or removed entirely, noting dissatisfaction with how players and the press often talk about these metrics. In some cases, players will use Steam data to indicate a video game's success, and the company wants to paint a “more favorable picture for investors” who might otherwise be put off. According to the insider, Ubisoft is one of several other companies that have asked Valve to withhold this information.

Ubisoft may want to remove the number of Steam players

This development could spark a larger conversation about transparency around the production of games, how the press talks about them and what data the public has a right to access. Valve and its platform Steam have often been praised for their approach to gaming and its community. While Valve tends to stay quiet until a release is ready to share, Steam generally focuses on prioritizing openness with its audience. This reported move to limit Steam players' data by Ubisoft may be due to some new difficulties. However, the company has otherwise expressed an interest in pursuing an approach more similar to Steam's.

In recent months, Ubisoft has launched an internal review aimed at strengthening a “player-centric approach” to its business. While the company has expressed its interest in prioritizing player feedback, limiting the data fans can access about its games could affect the relationship the company seeks to build with its audience. Alternatively, being able to quell concerns shareholders have about the status of the company's new releases could provide an opportunity to focus on PR and polishing games regardless of their initial reception. Regardless of what the initial community reaction may be to a move like this, it will be interesting to see if this potential strategy can ultimately benefit Ubisoft.

Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a well-known video game developer and publisher headquartered in Saint-Mandé, France. Current CEO Yves Guillemot runs a series of teams responsible for some of the most iconic and well-known series in video games, with franchises such as Assassin's Creed, Farcry, The Crew, Just Dance and more. Ubisoft also serves as the parent company for a number of other video game developers, including names like Massive Entertainment, Ubisoft Paris, Blue Mammoth Games, Red Storm Entertainment and more.

Date founded

March 28, 1986

Head office

Saint Mande, France

CEO

Yves Guillemot