Ubisoft is prepared to delay games if next-gen consoles slip, CEO suggests

Ubisoft has suggested it’s prepared to delay its games planned for the end of this year should Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 be postponed due to the coronavirus.

Like employees in many industries, in recent months game developers have faced the logistical challenges that have arisen from a switch to remote working.

The closure of ratings boards and shops has further complicated the process of creating and releasing games during the pandemic, and several key titles such as The Last of Us Part II and Wasteland 3 have already seen their releases delayed as a result.

So far Microsoft and Sony have claimed the climate will not disrupt their next-gen console launches planned for later this year, with both platform holders having reiterated their intention to hit late 2020 release windows within the past month.

However, there’s still much uncertainty surrounding how long the pandemic will last and when companies will be able to return to office-based working.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot told The New York Times that the company’s release schedule hasn’t been significantly impacted by the switch to remote working.

He said that Microsoft and Sony had “made it possible for our developers to keep using their dev kits” and “to continue creating our next-generation console games” even as the company’s staff worked remotely.

However, Guillemot expressed a willingness to delay those games if PS5 and Xbox Series X miss their end-year target.

“We are not seeing significant impact to our own timelines, but we are in touch with all our partners and if there’s a need to adjust in order to do what’s best for them and for our players, we will do so,” he said.

Ubisoft has committed to releasing several games for PS5 and Xbox Series X, including the previously delayed Watch Dogs Legion, Gods & Monsters and Rainbow Six Quarantine.

VGC understands at least one of the titles, Watch Dogs Legion, is currently aiming to debut alongside next-gen consoles, should there be no significant disruption to production.