Entertainment
Skull and Bones – Ubisoft 200 Million Waste
Many fans were waiting for the first Triple AAA pirate game a week ago. The world-renowned game developer CEO even promised the first-ever Quadruple…
Many fans were waiting for the first Triple AAA pirate game a week ago. The world-renowned game developer CEO even promised the first-ever Quadruple A game. However, the reality was quite far from the promises.
Skull and Bones, a video game by Ubisoft, seems to have become a notable example in discussions about video game development challenges, budget management, and project expectations.
The development of Skull and Bones was indeed a subject of concern due to its prolonged production time and escalating costs, which reportedly reached around $200 million. This situation raises several points about the video game industry, project management, and consumer expectations.
Skull and Bones cost Ubisoft 200 million
A new report alleges that Ubisoft’s new pirate game, Skull and Bones, cost roughly $200 million to produce, and the company doesn’t think it’ll make all that money back.
This is according to Insider Gamer, who claimed to have spoken with several Ubisoft employees to discuss the company’s current state and its plans. If this $200 million figure is accurate, it would make Skull and Bones the most expensive video game ever made, at least as far as the general public knows.
Skull and Bones was Ubisoft’s new big game. (Credit: Instagram)
Development budgets aren’t typically shared, but considering officially known figures, Cyberpunk 2077 is the most expensive game ever developed at the time of writing, as it costs around $174 million, not including marketing.
Skull And Bones has also been a critical flop, with a current Metacritic score of 64, compared to 83 for Helldivers 2 (nobody has given Palworld a scored review yet, but current assessments are mixed, unlike the very positive rating on Steam).
Skull and Bones’ development has been tumultuous, a severe understatement. Multiple behind-the-scenes reports have documented its troubled history; just last September, it was reported that the game had lost its third creative director.
Even without these reports, it’s evident that progress has been far from smooth, considering Skull and Bones was announced nearly seven years ago, and Ubisoft has publicly delayed it no less than six times.
Many players slammed Skull and Bones for being boring to play. Skull and Bones is focused on updating ships with better weapons, perks, and armor and on aiming to exchange them all as soon as possible for bigger and better ships.
Why are Ubisoft games flopping?
The perception that Ubisoft games have been underperforming or flopping can be attributed to a combination of factors that reflect broader challenges within the video game industry as well as specific decisions made by the company.
While not all Ubisoft games have failed to meet expectations, several high-profile titles have faced criticism and commercial disappointment for reasons such as lack of innovation, technical issues, and market saturation.
One common critique of Ubisoft games is their tendency to rely on a formulaic approach to game design. Many of their franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Watch Dogs, have been criticized for repetitive gameplay mechanics and a lack of innovation across sequels.
While this strategy can ensure a consistent level of quality and familiarity for fans, it can also lead to franchise fatigue, where players become disinterested due to perceived sameness.
Disappointment of Assassin’s Creed Games
Several Ubisoft games have launched with significant technical issues, undermining player trust and satisfaction. High-profile examples include the problematic launch of Assassin’s Creed Unity, which was plagued by bugs and performance problems. These issues can stem from tight development timelines that prioritize meeting fiscal targets over delivering a polished product.
The video game market is highly competitive, with numerous high-quality games vying for players’ time and money. Ubisoft’s titles compete with those from other major studios, and a growing number of indie games often offer unique experiences or innovative gameplay at a lower price point.
Additionally, Ubisoft’s focus on open-world games means they are directly competing in one of the most saturated segments of the market.
There’s been growing scrutiny and backlash from the gaming community regarding the use of microtransactions and aggressive monetization strategies in AAA games. Some players feel that Ubisoft has overly embraced these practices, detracting from the gameplay experience and pushing players towards additional spending to enjoy or complete their games fully.
Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest installment in the dinosaur saga, has stomped its way to box office glory. Directed by Gareth Edwards and co-written by Jurassic Park veteran David Koepp, the film premiered on June 17 in London and hit U.S. theaters on July 2. It has already grossed over $334 million globally against a reported budget of $180 million.
This fresh reboot stars Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali in leading roles, supported by Jonathan Bailey, Ed Skrein, and Rupert Friend. The film shifts slightly from the earlier World trilogy tone, leaning into sci-fi thrills and a suspenseful, character-driven story.
Critics have been split. While some praise the visual effects and performances, others say it doesn’t quite recapture the awe of Spielberg’s original. Still, many fans agree that Rebirth is a major improvement over the previous film, Dominion, and a step in the right direction for the franchise.
With its strong performance, Universal is now reportedly developing spin-offs and planning to expand the Jurassic universe further. After ten films and over three decades of dino-dominance, it seems audiences still aren’t done with the thrill of prehistoric adventure.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially underway, and the cast lineup is as iconic as fans hoped. Meryl Streep returns as the icy editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, joined once again by Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci — reprising their roles nearly two decades after the 2006 original became a cultural classic.
But the sequel isn’t just about the old guard. It’s adding new faces to the high-fashion chaos, including Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak, Pauline Chalamet, and Bridgerton star Simone Ashley. Acclaimed actor and director Kenneth Branagh will also appear as Miranda’s husband — a character that’s expected to shake up the dynamics at Runway Magazine.
Plot details are still under wraps, but the film is scheduled to release on May 1, 2026. It’s expected to explore the evolving world of fashion media while diving deeper into Miranda’s personal life and Andy Sachs’ next chapter. Notably missing is Adrian Grenier, who played Andy’s boyfriend Nate in the original. Sources say his character won’t return for the sequel.
With a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy, The Devil Wears Prada 2 promises to deliver sharp dialogue, high fashion, and the kind of dramatic flair only Miranda Priestly can serve.
Entertainment
Exclusive: HGTV’s Izzy Battres’ Redemption Story — From Addiction to Hit New Show ‘Izzy Does It’
HGTV fan favorite and star of Izzy Does It, Izzy Battres, joins the We’re Out Of Time podcast hosted by addiction recovery expert and executive…
HGTV fan favorite and star of Izzy Does It, Izzy Battres, joins the We’re Out Of Time podcast hosted by addiction recovery expert and executive chairman of Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, Richard Taite. The podcast is currently ranked #3 in Mental Health and #6 in Health & Fitness on Apple Podcasts.
In this eye-opening, revealing conversation, Izzy opens up for the first time about his past struggles with addiction, the near-death experiences that almost cost him everything, and the redemption story that brought him back.
On this week’s episode of We’re Out of Time, Izzy Battres recounts how he was ‘smoking PCP’ and doing meth for years, thinking he was going to die, which led to him spending time in jail. Host Richard Taite asks, “Did you get arrested when you were a kid?” “I was,” Battres responds. “Did you go to jail?” continues Taite. “I did,” Battres reveals and continues, “But this is a redemption story.” Taite says, “That’s why we’re here.” Battres adds, “I’m just here to tell you guys there is hope.”
Izzy Battres Reveals Life-Saving ‘miracle’ Moment at Church
“Izzy Does It” star Izzy Battres reveals his life-changing spiritual moment at church that turned his life around: “It was a miracle.”
‘I See You, You Matter’ — Izzy Battres’ Message to His Younger Self
We’re Out of Time host Richard Taite asks, “If you could go back to your younger self, what would you say?” Battres answers through tears, “I see you, you matter… you have a purpose.” Taite continues, “Why does it make you emotional? He explains, “I think that’s everybody’s innate desire — to be seen.”
Izzy Battres is ‘Happy’ Being One of ‘First Latino Families on HGTV’
Contractor and TV personality Izzy Battres discusses his new show Izzy Does It and the breakthrough success it gained, ranking in HGTV’s top 10 most popular shows of the season. While hoping for season 2, Battres reflects on his accomplishments, “We’re happy at being one of the very first Latino families on HGTV”.
Catch the WE’RE OUT OF TIME podcast with host and Executive Chairman of Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, Richard Taite on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube!
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