Assassin’s Creed Valhalla director on fan disappointment, “You rightfully expected to see more”

Though he warned fans ahead of time to temper their expectations, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s creative director is very aware they feel mislead.

[Obscure_Observer]

Well, Ubisoft and hopefully every major publisher (including Sony, MS and Nintendo) will take notes from this episode and try to focus their videogames presentations/showcases around actuall gameplay more often goin foward.

[battlegrog]

From this episode? This is exactly what every company's video looks like. Happened with Sony and nintendo. They didnt learn but also people ass kiss those brands even though they still complained. Now that ms did it the backlash was big so indeed i think thiswill finally change these videos. The last mintendo direct ans that Sony play video was this crap too

[Unspoken]

This is on Ubisoft. Ubisoft released a CGI "gameplay" trailer and just like their previous releases will downgrade any visuals on release.

[abstractel]

Sony's first gameplay reveal was great with the PS4. They haven't shown anything other than strangely allowing the VGA game which wasn't that impressive. When Sony is ready, they'll show what the PS5 is capable of and given their past I really doubt they'll do what MS just did. Remember MS did this last generation transition too.

[RazzerRedux]

"every major publisher (including Sony, MS and Nintendo)"

Are you going to lump in other publishers the next time Sony screws up?

[Silly gameAr]

Sony is a screw up even when they don't screw up to that guy.

Sony definitely have screwed up, but when they screw up, no one gets bunched in with their screw up, but when they do something right, I've notice that people like to throw other companies into their accomplishments because it seems like they hate giving Sony props alone for doing something right.

I know that makes me sound like a huge fanboy, but I can't be the only one that noticed that.

[Obscure_Observer]

@RazzerRedux

"Are you going to lump in other publishers the next time Sony screws up?"

No sure what kind of answer you expect from me since you already figured out on your own.

[RazzerRedux]

I didn't think so

[Obscure_Observer]

@RazzerRedux

"I didn't think so"

Good for you

[MajorLazer]

The actual games were showcased were decent. It was the lack of gameplay that ****ed me off. With all that's going on in the world, people could have done with some good news.

[Atom666]

100%. I believe I will play every one of the games shown, and there wasn't a bad one in the bunch. But stop hyping crap to be more than you know it will be.

And stop with the stupid Teams streams. I'm on video conferences all week and I watch plenty of gaming and sports shows on YouTube. That "look at us, we're at home" stream theme is of lesser quality than what I'm viewing every day. Just stop trying so hard with this crap, or tell Satya to buy you better webcams and editing tools.

[Obscure_Observer]

@Atom666

"And stop with the stupid Teams streams. I'm on video conferences all week and I watch plenty of gaming and sports shows on YouTube. "

I rather have this format which the Team can actually interact with audience and developers (kudos for Bloober dev interview) rather than a non stop lifeless sizzle reel.

[rainslacker]

Yeah. The games shown were mostly pretty interesting. A few I wasn't that keen on, but the rest held my interest. The Scorn trailer seemed to drag on a bit, but it held my interest, and the style was unique. The rest of the actual trailers were actually pretty well paced, and plenty of variety. Ironically, that first game, a FPS, was the major game play showing, and I found it kind of dull. About the only other thing I got bored with was the talking segments.

I wasn't really that ticked off by lack of game play being shown. I really didn't spend much time thinking about it, nor was I as engaged in this stuff in the days between it's announcement and the actual event, but I did see plenty of people saying it was going to be a game play showcase, which was going to show off some of next gen. That's something I have been waiting for, because it's the game play that will show off next gen, not the graphics.

I normally wouldn't be that fussed about this sort of thing, but MS has been a disappointment all gen, and this is just yet another notch in their score board for moments where they over-promise, and under deliver.

[SyntheticForm]

@rain

Agreed on all points. They should have just shown some gameplay as was told, but I did enjoy much of what I saw. Thought it was interesting.

[Atom666]

@Obscure

There's no reason why they can't improve the quality of these things when they're recording them beforehand. These aren't live recordings and streams.

Just have the hosts use a better camera and mic and actually put some production values into it. If podcasters and youtubers can remotely produce high quality content right now, then this use of Teams here is contrived and intentionally being done to look a certain way. It feels cheap to me and I see no reason for it for these types of shows.

[umair_s51]

I wasn't blown away by anything. Dirt 5 looked cool. Valhalla was the best looking of the lot shown. The medium was also interesting.

[xenz]

Eh. Hardly any decent game there. Only games I found interesting were The Medium, Dirt 5 and Assassins Creed Valhalla.

[neutralgamer1992]

Obscure

And Xbox fans can take notes too because they were on full defense mode yesterday call it how it is

Few seconds of actual gameplay in a trailer doesn't count when anyone is talking about showing gameplay than look no further than God of war demo

In the future that's the way it should be 10-15 minutes of actual gameplay being played by a developer

Maybe this is why Sony has yet to show a road map it doesn't seem like there are many publishers ready to show next gen versions of their games atleast not gameplay wise. Ms will in july, I wonder what that whole ign summer of games will show hopefully some actual gameplay and not just CGI trailers

Middle of June to early July is when I think we will see more gameplay

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Luckily its still early. This is one of several events. Maybe with this whole Pandemic its hard to get something concrete out there. Game devs love to be where they're in a controlled environment to show off their games in all its glory. Maybe its hard to do over a blurry webcam and won't do the games justice? Imo they should let only a few ppl in the office to show off games. Let it be live right from the studio and show us the games running X Series or PS5. They need to rectify the situation this summer.

[neutralgamer1992]

AngelicIceDiamond

that's understandable but ms knew ahead of time what it had ready to show for this event and so did ubi. No reason to over hype. this change of attitude from xbox camp is what was needed yesterday but all day yesterday they were defending and praising and today their tone is well they admitted their fault

this is why most publishers don't take us serious, we should call it how it is regardless of whether we like the brand or not

[Obscure_Observer]

@neutralgamer1992

"And Xbox fans can take notes too because they were on full defense mode yesterday call it how it is"

Defense mode? Everybody agreed that the lack of actual gameplay left a lot to be desired. Smh.

"Few seconds of actual gameplay in a trailer doesn't count when anyone is talking about showing gameplay than look no further than God of war demo In the future that's the way it should be 10-15 minutes of actual gameplay being played by a developer"

Sorry, but that´s not gonna happen, man. Do you think it´s easy to pull out a live gameplay demo presentation from an unfinished/unpolished game? Have you forgot Uncharted?

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Yes, God of War had an epic gameplay reveal. Now, why zero gameplay for TLOU 2, Ghost of Tsushima or Death Stranding? Because GGI trailers are still the safest way to get the word out for your game. If you´re expecting tons of gameplay for unannounced PS5 games, you´re probably setting yourself for some major dissapointment. Time will tell.

[RabbitFly]

@Obscure_Observer

I am confused about that last paragraph. We have had gameplay showings from both The Last of Us Part 2 and Ghost of Tsushima, so are you talking about within a certain timeframe or are you misinformed?

[Obscure_Observer]

@RabbitFly

"We have had gameplay showings from both The Last of Us Part 2 and Ghost of Tsushima, so are you talking about within a certain timeframe or are you misinformed?"

We´re talking about game´s reveals, so yes, timeframe. TLOU 2, Ghost of Tsushima and Death Stranding had CGI trailers when revealed.

[outsider1624]

This is really a chance for Sony right now to take advantage of this. Show some gameplay if not all.

I mean i love cgi too but only to announce a game. The next showing should atleast include gameplay.

[neutralgamer1992]

i don't think it's up to sony or ms if they want 3rd party publishers to show gameplay that will happen when 3rd parties are ready to show. Latest rumor has it next ps event won't even be a event just like the controller reveal it will be done with PS blog

[silenthillstrangler]

They wont.

[CrimsonWing69]

You think!? I mean next time just say, “CG cinematic trailer that may or may not have 3 seconds of gameplay spliced in,” so we can “temper” our expectations.

[Software_Lover]

Edit: Sorry, I did not mean to respond to you.

[Lord_Sloth]

Ubi said it wasn't going to be a gameplay unveil. MS said otherwise during the presentation.

[-Foxtrot]

“You rightfully expected to see more”

That's funny because these white knights are telling everyone Ubisoft don't owe us anything and we're "entitled"

Guess Ubisoft themselves don't even agree

[neutralgamer1992]

Exactly all day yesterday morning but defending from Xbox camp and now all of the sudden they want to say let this be a learning lesson

By now most who visit this site daily know which users favor which brand but people still think they fooling someone by filling themselves

[SyntheticForm]

You've got a lot of that around here.

When someone innocently says that they'd like to see what the PS5 console looks like, they're told "Sony don't owe us anything! They'll show us when they're ready! Be patient! Patience is a virtue" (lol) and all manner of odd, corporate defensive nonsense just because someone said that they'd enjoy seeing the console.

Now, I'm not sure who promised the gameplay, but that order should have been fulfilled. In any case, nonsense is nonsense and there's no shortage of that around here from any specific "camp" I'll tell you that.

[-Foxtrot]

This isn’t a Xbox thing or Sony so let’s not spin it into that

It’s a Ubisoft thing plain and simple

[SyntheticForm]

@Fox

It's a thing that occurs around here far too frequently. I'm not spinning anything, I'm calling out a bad habit that occurs far too often. That is, irrational brand defense where people throw their body, mind and soul at the feet of a corporation, and their dignity out the window.

Your post addresses this whether it intends to or not.

[SyntheticForm]

Also, if it's only a Ubisoft thing and not a people thing (it's a people thing) then who are the white knights you're talking about?

People irrationally defending Ubisoft for their offenses, I'm assuming, and not Ubisoft or their employees themselves. This is about people irrationally defending a company, which is why my earlier reply fits in.

This happens a lot here, and it's not only about Ubisoft - not by a long shot.

[TheProfessional]

CG trailers have always been a pointless, misleading waste of time.

[hayden3]

People expected to see what they had been told they would see. Nothing more.

[IRetrouk]

It was a well done video, but not really what you promised, take the pushback from it and learn.

[AnubisG]

He himself is on video saying there will be gameplay. Ubisoft said it, Xbox said it.

Trust lost.

[neutralgamer1992]

Exactly not only he said it Ms made it sound like this how would be full of gameplay reveals

[Ninver]

Why they thought showing that abomination of a "gameplay" is beyond me. Either the game is far from ready or they thought gamers were fools. Get it right!

[RPGer]

That or it ain't anything special and just a typical shallow Ubisoft gameplay.

[Guitardr85]

Wait I'm suffering from whiplash here...people were upset at an announcement teaser trailer? What's the deal? We all know from 30 years of gaming that we will see game play soon lol.

[neutralgamer1992]

Big deal is don't announce on social media we will show gameplay that's all

[Duke19]

Or... anything?

[spicelicka]

Honestly can't remember the last time an EA, Ubisoft, or Activision game was received well upon initial reveal. Not saying they should have done it this way, but it really won't matter once the game comes out.

[RosweeSon]

Your right as I wasn’t buying it and I still won’t when it comes out don’t buy anything from those companies year1 these days. Let alone day1

[spicelicka]

I usually don't either. Still haven't played Odyssey, should get that first.

[SyntheticForm]

Weren't Origins and Odyssey generally received well by fans and just over all? Some just complaints about Odyssey's structure (around MTs) but still well received.

I enjoyed em both - Valhalla will be no different.

[spicelicka]

Yes they were well received after they came, I was talking about initial reveals. I can't remember Origins but when Odyssey was revealed it was an issue about how much it was deviating from traditional AC.

[SyntheticForm]

Oh yeah, definitely true.

Some people wanted it to stay Assassin-ey. I like the updated direction they're taking; more open-world action with some light RPG elements.

Hopefully they can the Abstergo/Animus stuff and really just focus on making a great viking experience.

[neutralgamer1992]

SyntheticForm

It was legit complaint you make it sound like people complained just because. The game was a chore to play and made you do a lot of fetch quests unless you were nice enough to buy their 50% XP boosters

Than when users found a way around it by user created content that gave a lot of XP they blocked that too. MT in my opinion have no space in single player story driven games. What's really sad is ubi by doing doing these things cost itself money and reputation points. Their games are good if they release them the right way without MT but it seems they can't get out of their own way

[neutralgamer1992]

Spice

Best thing to do with UBI games is wait because they go on sale very quickly. Division 2 was well reviewed yet it was under $20 within months of release

They need to do more complete editions because a lot of their DLC never drops on price that much

[spicelicka]

Oh agreed absolutely. Never preorder and wait till sales is usually what I do, unless I'm absolutely confident in a game.

[SyntheticForm]

@Neutral

I'm not trying to delegitimize anyone's complaint and I'm really not sure how you perceived it that way. I simply brought up the fact that despite issues, the two games were generally well received.

If people have problems with game design based on maximizing profits through MTs I am absolutely in their corner, but I'll disagree if they say they don't like the new action/adventure, RPG lite approach, because I personally do like it.

[neutralgamer1992]

yeah my comment was just regarding the MT overall i like the new RPG style of AC games. Series became stale and needed a refresh i just wish UBI realize quality alone will sell games no need to go the extra greedy mile

[YourMommySpoils]

Why does anyone even care. Ubisoft gameplay is always downgraded. Lets not forget Watch Dogs and even Watch Dogs 2 wasn't as good, as the original game's reveal. Some things are better left till closer to release.

[Npugz7]

Ya the presentation was horse shit!

[Chexs1990]

Lol, entire issue could have been avoided by just removing "gameplay" from the title. From a PR perspective though, it definitely helped the horizontal spread

[zugdar]

Besides the misleading game-play messaging they were going nuts over, anyone else sick of pre-rendered, or in game cinematics that have nothing to do with how the actual game plays?

It all we got a the Game-awards and pretty much this year from any other announcements.

[Rambokind]

This makes me want to play the game even less. I don't trust Ubisoft. Watch Dogs?

[affirmations]

We definitely want more on Valhalla!

[AK91]

I honestly think the blame is 100% on MS this time, false marketing on their part.

[marquisray]

Sony do thos all the time, by the way where is sony?

[TheEroica]

Enough cgi. It does nothing for me whatsoever.

[Dirtnapstor]

Seriously, are we surprised? Yes, I expected more of a blend of cinematics and gameplay, but after reading some of the comments....are you new to gaming?!
We know ACV will be awesome looking. Odyssey was definitely visually pleasing. Can only improve from here.

[RamRod88]

After all the hype, the lack of gameplay for ACV was the biggest letdown

[medman]

All I hear is excuses........

[Maywell]

It is all MARKETING TACTIC...they just need to make something viral. LOL

[esherwood]

Assassin creed games always look good and I get suckered into buying them but never like them. It’s been like 4 times and each time I regret it so I’m done with them. Too much fetch quest stuff like da inquisition, I found myself doing a bunch of stuff that had nothing to do with the story and it’s not fun