Major Industry Announcements and Releases

Ubisoft Reveals New DLC for Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate

On December 6, 2016, Ubisoft announced an upcoming downloadable content (DLC) package for their popular historical action-adventure game, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate. Titled Jack the Ripper, this DLC would add a new storyline centered around the infamous serial killer, offering players the opportunity to investigate and interact with one of history’s most notorious mysteries. Ubisoft promised that this addition would not only delve deeper into Victorian London but also provide enhanced gameplay mechanics and additional characters.

Nintendo's North American Holiday Sales Push

Nintendo announced its strategy for boosting holiday sales in North America on December 6, 2016. The company unveiled plans to offer bundle deals featuring popular titles such as Pokémon Sun and Moon, alongside its flagship hardware, the Nintendo 3DS. Additionally, they launched a new marketing campaign titled “Play It Forward”, which encouraged families to gift classic games along with their beloved consoles, emphasizing nostalgia and family bonding.

Sony’s PlayStation Plus Offers New Free Games

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) updated its monthly PlayStation Plus free game lineup on December 6. For the month of December, SIE offered The Witness for PS4 players, alongside a classic title from the PlayStation 3 era that was highly anticipated by retro gamers. This move aimed to attract both new and existing subscribers to take advantage of these exclusive offers.

Controversy Surrounds EA's Star Wars Game Release

Criticism Over Pre-Order Incentives

On December 6, Electronic Arts (EA) faced backlash over the pre-order incentives for its upcoming Star Wars Battlefront II. Critics argued that early access to certain features and characters was not only exploitative but also undermined the game’s balance. Consumer advocacy groups highlighted this as a growing trend in gaming where companies leverage exclusivity to drive sales, often at the expense of long-term player satisfaction.

Outlook

As 2016 drew to a close, the video game industry continued to evolve rapidly, with major players like Ubisoft and Nintendo focusing on enhancing user experiences through DLCs and family-centric marketing campaigns. Meanwhile, controversies over business practices such as pre-order incentives in Star Wars Battlefront II underscored ongoing debates about fairness and player rights. As we move into 2017, these trends will likely shape the industry’s trajectory, prompting further scrutiny of gaming companies’ strategies and practices.