The Real Reason Fans Think Far Cry 7 Will Change The Series Forever
Reputable games industry figures claim that the next installment of the "Far Cry" series might change the series in major ways. Axios' Stephen Totilo wrote in a recent newsletter that Ubisoft has mentioned pursuing a more "online-oriented approach" for "Far Cry 7." This seems to match up with what Bloomberg's Jason Schreier told Triple Click in June about the next installment of the "Far Cry" series going in a "radically different direction."
Many are already speculating that this could mean Ubisoft is considering some type of live service or free-to-play model for the next "Far Cry" installment. After all, Ubisoft already reported earlier this year that it planned to continue releasing three to four AAA titles a year and add "high-end free-to-play titles" into the mix. Industry analyst Daniel Ahmed pointed out that this doesn't necessarily mean Ubisoft will deliver less AAA premium games, but that non-AAA premium content will become more important to the business.
The success of free-to-play games is an upward trend in the industry, which Ubisoft's competitors seem to be taking into account. Sony also reported a significant increase in PlayStation's free-to-play revenue this year. It probably comes as no surprise to learn that Bloomberg's sources have indicated that Ubisoft is pursuing a free-to-play model for its upcoming "Assassin's Creed" game, "Assassin's Creed Infinity."
However, it's not certain whether the next "Far Cry" game will really be changing the series or replacing its typical formula.
Will Far Cry really change this time?
"Far Cry 7" — or whatever the potential free-to-play title might be called — won't necessarily replace the AAA action-adventure games that "Far Cry" typically exemplifies. At the moment, it's hard to tell whether or not Ubisoft is interested in mixing things up with this particular franchise.
Totilo, as well as many other critics, felt that "Far Cry 6" wasn't the shake-up that the series needed. While the game was relatively well-received, it ultimately didn't convince players that it was much of a change from the typical formula. However, prior to the game's release, it seemed like it was incorporating ways to change the series and even cut fan-favorite features in its experimentation. Its confusing political stance was also a reach into unknown territory — which ultimately landed flat with some players and worked for others.
"It is not a franchise deviation," Totilo wrote in his review. "In keeping with the five other major 'Far Cry' games of the past decade, it focuses on open-ended, chaotic first-person conflict, letting players gather an arsenal of weapons and vehicles to use to attack enemy bases and slowly move through another gorgeous virtual locale."
If Ubisoft does choose to focus on online components in the future, then there's still a chance that the series might end up diversifying its gameplay and structure, even if it doesn't really change the series' typical gameplay loop. Only time will tell what impact "Far Cry 7" will have on the series' future.