Ubisoft Reflects on Challenges and Raises Subscription Fees for Long-Running Franchise After Recent Cancellations and Layoffs

Ubisoft has recently announced a voluntary layoff program, just a week after it canceled six games and reaffirmed its commitment to what it calls “player-facing Generative AI.” In this whirlwind of changes, the company has also decided to raise subscription prices for Just Dance+.

You might wonder how a slight increase in the Just Dance+ subscription fee—part of a service that’s been around for three years in a franchise that’s been declining for 17—will help Ubisoft navigate its current challenges. These challenges include rumored studio closures and the potential delay of a highly anticipated remake of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag. Ubisoft seems to understand the skepticism but encourages fans to consider “some important truths.”

“Every song available in the service relies on licensing agreements that evolve over time, and these conditions directly affect what we can keep, renew, or add to the catalogue,” the company explains regarding Just Dance+. “Taking this into account, we’ve had to make a few adjustments to ensure the service can keep growing in the long run.”

Starting in April, a one-month pass for Just Dance+ will rise to $4.99 from $3.99, while a three-month pass will now cost $12.99 instead of $9.99. The one-year pass will be priced at $29.99, up from $24.99. For these modest increases, subscribers can look forward to songs like “Toxic” by Britney Spears, a classic I remember dancing to in Just Dance 2, which I bought back in 2010.

“We genuinely hope this article helps clarify the reasons behind the choices being made this year,” Ubisoft concludes.

As fans of Beyond Good and Evil enter the 18th year of waiting, Ubisoft maintains that the sequel is still in development despite the ongoing restructuring.