Ubisoft cancels Forward 2025 and adopts a more discreet stance

Ubisoft will not hold the traditional Ubisoft Forward event in June 2025, ending a streak of annual presentations dating back to 2020. The decision marks an evident strategy shift, amidst a period of internal reorganization and possible cost containment.

According to a statement made to journalist Stephen Totilo, the company confirmed that, despite the absence of Forward, it will participate in other gaming events on the calendar. It will be present at IGN Live and PC Gaming Show, both scheduled for June 7 and 8, as well as confirming attendance at Gamescom 2025, taking place in August in Germany.

The Ubisoft justified the decision with a generic statement, emphasizing that they are still looking for ways to stay in touch with the community:

"We are always eager to connect with our players and showcase our games. We will continue to explore ways to share news in the future."

In practice, the decision seems less related to seeking new formats and more to the scarcity of concrete news to present to the public. The French publisher is going through a period of strategic transition, including negotiations and joint investments with Tencent, which is expanding its stake in the company's structure — including the formation of a new subsidiary in partnership with the Chinese giant.

Furthermore, in recent months, Ubisoft has slowed down the pace of relevant releases. After Assassin’s Creed Mirage in 2023, and the launch of Skull and Bones in 2024 with a lukewarm reception, there are no major titles confirmed for the second half of 2025. Updates are expected only for Assassin’s Creed Codename Red (set in feudal Japan) and the project Star Wars Outlaws, both still without defined dates.

The absence of Forward indicates that, even in a year filled with digital events and independent showcases, large companies like Ubisoft are beginning to rethink the cost-benefit of holding exclusive presentations, especially when there is not strong enough content to justify the investment.

In the current scenario, it is expected that internal studios will have time to polish their future projects, while Ubisoft reorganizes its communication and corporate structure for a new cycle of development and promotion.