Ubisoft Wants to Hide Concurrent Player Count Data on Steam
A Ubisoft insider has shared that the people at the company have reached out to Valve, asking to limit the visibility of player count data.
Ubisoft Doesn’t Want People to Know Concurrent Player Count
Many gaming companies have become more protective of the data surrounding their latest releases. Although tracking stock prices can give people an idea of how a business is doing overall, the ability to see player data and sales numbers varies depending on the company and the title. Square Enix has struggled recently, and the company has chosen to leave sales updates on titles like Final Fantasy 16 more unclear. Ubisoft has taken a couple of hits throughout 2024, and its executives may want more control over some of these statistics.
An MP1ST report sourced to Fandom Pulse discusses information shared by a Ubisoft insider, stating the company has requested that Valve limit access to player count data on Steam. According to these rumors, Ubisoft would like the concurrent player counts for games on Steam either hidden or removed entirely, noting dissatisfaction with the way players and press outlets often talk about these metrics. In some cases, gamers will use Steam player count data to indicate a video game’s success, and the company wants to paint a “more favorable picture to investors” who may otherwise be discouraged. According to the insider, Ubisoft is one of several other companies that have requested Valve hide this information.
This development could spark a larger conversation about transparency regarding the production of games, how the press talks about them, and what data the public has the right to access. Valve and its platform Steam have often been praised for their approach to gaming and its community. Although Valve tends to stay quiet until a release is ready to be shared, Steam generally focuses on prioritizing openness with its audience. This reported move to limit Steam player count data by Ubisoft could be prompted by some recent difficulties.
