Bulletin: News on Ubisoft, Stratego, Fable, and more!

Get ready for a bulletin packed with announcements as I discuss the changes within Ubisoft’s company and its games, talk about the new game Stratego, look into more details of Fable, and jump into some Snippets Of The Past!

Ubisoft’s Big Low

Ubisoft made some wild announcements and major changes, creating an uproar among fans. The studio hasn’t done all too well recently, with stock plummeting to a low, which is why they planned the big upheaval. Among the two studios Ubisoft is closing completely (Ubisoft Stockholm and Ubisoft Halifax), and the company is also scrapping countless other jobs worldwide. This, of course, affects games that developers were working on or preparing for in pre-production. So far, Ubisoft has cancelled six games. This unfortunately includes the long-awaited Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake. In addition, the studio is also postponing seven other games. Rumours speculate that the remastered version of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag is part of that group. All in all, the announcements seem like a big let-down for fans of the games and the studio itself. Ubisoft promises the changes were necessary to increase the quality of the games they put out, and that they’ll focus more on open-world games and live service projects for the foreseeable future.

The studio understands that by dropping multiple games from development, the net profit of 2026 will turn out considerably less than originally expected, but whether the changes will help them overcome their economic struggles in the future remains the big question. In the eyes of fans, the studio is heading in the wrong direction, though. Players are unhappy about the fact that many people will lose their jobs in pursuit of more profit. Ubisoft’s 2024 statement, saying that players have to get used to not “owning” the games they buy, preceded this dissatisfaction and still lingers in the minds of players. We might not agree with what Ubisoft is doing, but only time will tell if this results in better games, happier consumers, and a company that will (eventually) put its employees first.

Trodding Onto The Battlefield

A new strategy game has entered the market. Strategos Games and MicroProse Software dropped the Early Access version of Strategos a little over a week ago, and the reviews are very positive, with an 86% approval rate on Steam!

The game lets players simulate battles between “the major and minor powers of the ancient Mediterranean.” The battles aren’t purely historical, though, as players can choose which teams they put up against each other at their own whim. In the Early Access version, the game already includes over 250 units and 120 different factions that players can choose from, leading to a high level of playability, adaptability, and customisation.

This isn’t where the customisation options end, because Strategos also offers a lot in terms of mechanics. The developers claim the control simulations and complex mechanics “bring a hardcore tabletop feel to digital, real-time wargaming,” and this is not an exaggeration. With the amount of formations, communication systems, movements, terrains, charges, and routing, any player who loves strategy games is bound to enjoy themselves!

As The Tale Is Told

As we get closer to the release of the new Fable, set to drop in the autumn of this year, Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios are giving us hints here and there of what the game will be like.

The heroic action-RPG has players enjoying the world of old, Albion. The studios already announced a lot through the release of trailers and announcements, and it seems they’re not quite done yet. To continue building hype and anticipation around the game, they’ve now also let players know that character creation will be part of the game, giving us players the opportunity to immerse ourselves in this wonderfully whimsical story.

And to further help the immersion, the developers included 1.000 hand-made NPC’s! Every single one of them is unique, filling the world with “real” people. Not only that, but players can interact with them however they want. They can build relationships with them, marry them, have children with them, or choose the less lovey-dovey side and hire or fire them for their adventures. How these NPCs interact with players depends on their own decisions and moral compass, although the developers revealed that not everything is black-and-white in this game.

But the excitement doesn’t end here. For those who enjoy British humour, the game contains something incredibly familiar. Fable has a “mockumentary” side to it, with characters talking directly into the camera. Fans are calling out the similarities with The Office (UK & US), and are absolutely loving it. Personally, I can’t wait for this game to come out!

Snippets Of The Past

Beast of Reincarnation

Elden Ring: Nightreign

Yokai Tales: Fox