Assassin's Creed: Unity's Season Pass Has Been Cancelled

[seditary]

Surely in some regions it'd be the law that they'd have to provide a refund instead of just exchanging it for something else?

I don't see why they'd be obliged to refund since you're still getting the content you paid for. It's just that everyone else now gets it for free, and you get a free game on top of that.

No they aren't. People bought a season pass, its been cancelled, they don't have an option to get their money back.

Not precisely. The season pass is no longer being sold. Those who have the season pass are still recieving the DLC they paid for, and on top of this they now get a free game.

No they aren't. They're only getting one piece of DLC, which is being given free to every owner of the game, not just people who bought the season pass. Unless you're somehow trying to falsely argue that the season pass was $30 for just the Dead Kings pack.

I'm gonna argue the Season Pass was for Dead Kings. Unless evidence surfaces that Ubi had more DLC planned.

http://blog.ubi.com/assassins-creed-unity-season-pass-assassins-creed-chronicles-china/

The season pass included a whole other assassin's creed spinoff game.

 

[Brian Tams]

Ubisoft's horrific crime is giving people free DLC as an apology. How diabolical.

Ubisoft took people's money for a product that is now being released to everyone for free. Instead of giving them a refund like a sane company, they instead offer a free game, which I guess is OK. Except, perhaps I already own those games? Or don't want them? Can I just have my money back, please, so I can get something else with it? No?

Quit defending Ubisoft's bullshit. Sure, they're giving free DLC away. But the fact still stands that this now free product had people already pay for it. So they just wasted thirty bucks for something they would've gotten for free anyways. That's bullshit. To not offer a full refund is bullshit.

 

[Ambient_Malice]

Surely in some regions it'd be the law that they'd have to provide a refund instead of just exchanging it for something else?

I don't see why they'd be obliged to refund since you're still getting the content you paid for. It's just that everyone else now gets it for free, and you get a free game on top of that.

No they aren't. People bought a season pass, its been cancelled, they don't have an option to get their money back.

Not precisely. The season pass is no longer being sold. Those who have the season pass are still recieving the DLC they paid for, and on top of this they now get a free game.

No they aren't. They're only getting one piece of DLC, which is being given free to every owner of the game, not just people who bought the season pass. Unless you're somehow trying to falsely argue that the season pass was $30 for just the Dead Kings pack.

I'm gonna argue the Season Pass was for Dead Kings. Unless evidence surfaces that Ubi had more DLC planned.

http://blog.ubi.com/assassins-creed-unity-season-pass-assassins-creed-chronicles-china/

The season pass included a whole other assassin's creed spinoff game.

You make a very good point. I must confess I'd forgotten about AC: Chronicles - China.

Well, if they proceed to charge those who've already paid for a Season Pass for this spinoff, that would be bad, IMO. However, for all we know this spinoff has gone up in smoke. I guess we'll have to see. I do agree with people who are upset that a spinoff they paid money to access might not be given to them.

Ubisoft's horrific crime is giving people free DLC as an apology. How diabolical.

Ubisoft took people's money for a product that is now being released to everyone for free. Instead of giving them a refund like a sane company, they instead offer a free game, which I guess is OK. Except, perhaps I already own those games? Or don't want them? Can I just have my money back, please, so I can get something else with it? No?

Quit defending Ubisoft's bullshit. Sure, they're giving free DLC away. But the fact still stands that this now free product had people already pay for it. So they just wasted thirty bucks for something they would've gotten for free anyways. That's bullshit. To not offer a full refund is bullshit.

To be honest, I don't think this is that dissimilar to how certain games have featured pre-order DLC which becomes free to all buyers after a certain time period.

This situation kinda reminds me of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Workers_in_the_Vineyard

Group A works all day and gets paid a penny.
Group C works for five minutes and gets paid a penny, too.
Group A is upset because group C is getting the same reward as they got for nothing.

Ubisoft is basically saying "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me $30 for the DLC? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?"

I guess the reason people are upset is because it seems "unfair". At the same time, I recognise that the situation with the spinoff game could turn into a real broken promise if Ubisoft doesn't find a way to give the game to paying customers for free.

 

[Jandau]

"Abandon ship! I repeat, abandon ship! All hands to the escape pods! This game is being evacuated! Abandon ship!"

 

[Ambient_Malice]

This should hopefully end some speculation:

Q: What about the other content from the Season Pass?

A: Season Pass holders will continue to have access to a variety of additional content, including Assassin?s Creed Chronicles: China.

http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-GB/community/liveupdates/live_updates_details.aspx?c=tcm:154-186650-16&ct=tcm:148-76770-32

Are we all happy now? As I said, Season Pass holders will get EVERYTHING they paid for.

I feel sorry for Ubisoft because although they've been monumental screwups ever since Splinter Cell 2, nobody bothers to actually read their press releases.

 

[black_knight1337]

Im sure something is missing from this article. Canceling a product and not offering refund for people who have ordered it is illegal and i doubt Ubisoft would go that far shafting consumers. im sure the OP merelly forgot to mention the money refund option, right?

No they aren't. They're only getting one piece of DLC, which is being given free to every owner of the game, not just people who bought the season pass. Unless you're somehow trying to falsely argue that the season pass was $30 for just the Dead Kings pack.

They're not actually cancelling anything, they are just no longer selling the Season Pass. If you take a look at the FAQ [http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-GB/community/liveupdates/live_updates_details.aspx?c=tcm:154-186650-16&ct=tcm:148-76770-32] they posted, the only changes being made are that Dead Kings is going to be free and that people who own the Season Pass get a free game to make up for it. Provided you want one of the free games it ends up being a pretty good deal.

 

[Living Contradiction]

Let's get something clear. People who bought a Season Pass will be getting EXACTLY what they paid for. Ubisoft isn't taking DLC away from anyone. They're giving DLC to everyone for free, and are giving SP owners a free game on top of that. They're also patching the game, with 1.3 rolling out right now and a performance-related patch coming sometime in the near future.

No laws have been broken, arguably. Ubisoft's horrific crime is giving people free DLC as an apology. How diabolical.

Okay, Ambient, I have to state your logic is flawed.

Consider the following:

Company X is planning to sell a product. The product is an expensive one and one that the company expects it will have to sell upgrades to later on, so it offers consumers a deal: Invest in the product early and receive all the upgrades as they come out rather than having to pay extra later on.

Consumer A thinks, "I like this idea and I think I'll want all the upgrades, so the deal makes sense", pays the company and waits patiently for its promised product.

Consumer B thinks, "Hang on. This company has a less-than-stellar track record as far as product quality goes. I think I'll wait to see if the product is any good first. I'll have to spend more money in the long run if I'm wrong, but better safe than sorry" and waits for the promised product.

Product is released and is awful.

Consumer A isn't happy but contents itself with knowing that the upgrades it paid for are still coming, so it's still ahead of the game.

Consumer B is feeling content and waits patiently for the product to wind up going on sale, because while the item may be awful right now, the product has the potential to be fixed.

Then Company X announces that, due to dismal reception and low quality, the product will have all upgrades given to all customers as a preemptive apology and those who paid in advance, rather than getting a refund, can have a previously sold product.

Consumer A is stunned. The upgrades it paid for in advance have been reduced in value to zero and are being given to everyone. It can't get its money back and because it liked Company X's products in the past, it already owns the apologies the company is offering.

Consumer B is smug. It is not only going to eventually get the product for less money, it won't have to pay for the upgrades either. It may not be as pleased with the product as it expected, but it feels rather pleased that it didn't get taken in by the promises of the company.

***Example ends here***

For those who didn't read above: When you reduce the value of something that previously had a price tag to zero, it doesn't matter that the something is still delivered; you have ripped off those people who paid you before the price drop. You can deliver three of that something after the price drop and it will still not compensate for the fact that the something is now worthless and it is worthless because you have proclaimed it to be so.

So no, Ambient, the people who bought a season pass are not getting exactly what they paid for. They paid to receive something of value. They are receiving something worthless along with no possibility of redress beyond a half-assed marketing ploy.

 

[drkchmst]

Why so serious? For one I'm totally excited for Just Dance! ...
I think they might have a legal argument against having to offer any refunds in that they might not have access to contact information of their customers... Totally no information gathering in their products.

Happy Thanksgiving now dance off

 

[Ambient_Malice]

Let's get something clear. People who bought a Season Pass will be getting EXACTLY what they paid for. Ubisoft isn't taking DLC away from anyone. They're giving DLC to everyone for free, and are giving SP owners a free game on top of that. They're also patching the game, with 1.3 rolling out right now and a performance-related patch coming sometime in the near future.

No laws have been broken, arguably. Ubisoft's horrific crime is giving people free DLC as an apology. How diabolical.

Okay, Ambient, I have to state your logic is flawed.

Consider the following:

Company X is planning to sell a product. The product is an expensive one and one that the company expects it will have to sell upgrades to later on, so it offers consumers a deal: Invest in the product early and receive all the upgrades as they come out rather than having to pay extra later on.

Consumer A thinks, "I like this idea and I think I'll want all the upgrades, so the deal makes sense", pays the company and waits patiently for its promised product.

Consumer B thinks, "Hang on. This company has a less-than-stellar track record as far as product quality goes. I think I'll wait to see if the product is any good first. I'll have to spend more money in the long run if I'm wrong, but better safe than sorry" and waits for the promised product.

Product is released and is awful.

Consumer A isn't happy but contents itself with knowing that the upgrades it paid for are still coming, so it's still ahead of the game.

Consumer B is feeling content and waits patiently for the product to wind up going on sale, because while the item may be awful right now, the product has the potential to be fixed.

Then Company X announces that, due to dismal reception and low quality, the product will have all upgrades given to all customers as a preemptive apology and those who paid in advance, rather than getting a refund, can have a previously sold product.

Consumer A is stunned. The upgrades it paid for in advance have been reduced in value to zero and are being given to everyone. It can't get its money back and because it liked Company X's products in the past, it already owns the apologies the company is offering.

Consumer B is smug. It is not only going to eventually get the product for less money, it won't have to pay for the upgrades either. It may not be as pleased with the product as it expected, but it feels rather pleased that it didn't get taken in by the promises of the company.

***Example ends here***

For those who didn't read above: When you reduce the value of something that previously had a price tag to zero, it doesn't matter that the something is still delivered; you have ripped off those people who paid you before the price drop. You can deliver three of that something after the price drop and it will still not compensate for the fact that the something is now worthless and it is worthless because you have proclaimed it to be so.

So no, Ambient, the people who bought a season pass are not getting exactly what they paid for. They paid to receive something of value. They are receiving something worthless along with no possibility of redress beyond a half-assed marketing ploy.

I disagree. The value of the upgrades is what you paid for them. But I guess this is a very fundamental ideological difference. And it's a very common one which is why there is a parable about people who are upset because they were given the same reward as someone who did absolutely nothing.

However, as previously pointed out, only the Dead Kings DLC is being given away for free. (At least according to the press release.) The other trinkets such as that spinoff game are still part of the Season Pass.

This reminds me of the grumbling over Metro: Last Light's pre-order Ranger Mode DLC.

 

[J Tyran]

Surely in some regions it'd be the law that they'd have to provide a refund instead of just exchanging it for something else?

I don't see why they'd be obliged to refund since you're still getting the content you paid for. It's just that everyone else now gets it for free, and you get a free game on top of that.

No they aren't. People bought a season pass, its been cancelled, they don't have an option to get their money back.

Not precisely. The season pass is no longer being sold. Those who have the season pass are still recieving the DLC they paid for, and on top of this they now get a free game.

No they aren't. They're only getting one piece of DLC, which is being given free to every owner of the game, not just people who bought the season pass. Unless you're somehow trying to falsely argue that the season pass was $30 for just the Dead Kings pack.

I think it depends on whether or not, they ever actually said what all the extra DLC was. If they never specified anything, then they didn't break any laws.

This is actually illegal under British consumer law, the "invitation to treat" offered them additional content for a specified product, Assassins Creed Unity. By pre-purchasing it the customer has entered a contract with Ubisoft to provide the product as advertised during the invitation to treat and its up to Ubisoft to provide that product and/or service, in the event that they cannot provide that product and/or service Ubisoft are obligated to make a full refund. When offering another product as compensation like a completely different game its down to the individuals consumers discretion whether they want to accept it or not, they can accept it or ask for a refund.

If people here in the UK ask for a cash refund and Ubisoft refuse the consumer can make a complaint to Trading Standards through the relevant local agency (their local Borough Council or Citizens Advice Bureau) and they can force them to settle, if enough people make a complaint about it Trading Standards can actually prosecute and fine them.

Not to mention Ubisoft can be forced to give refunds for Unity in the first place, products have to be "as advertised" and "fit for intended purpose" and a game that you cannot play properly and does not work the way it was advertised is definitely not fit for purpose. They cannot hide behind "we will patch it" either, its the here and now that matters and if the product is broken now they are obligated to give a refund. Its down to consumer discretion if they accept Ubisofts promise to fix it, but if they want their money back they are obligated.

I would image many nations in the EU have similar legislation, some of them and the EU wide consumer protection laws are even firmer than the UK regulations.

 

[Ambient_Malice]

Surely in some regions it'd be the law that they'd have to provide a refund instead of just exchanging it for something else?

I don't see why they'd be obliged to refund since you're still getting the content you paid for. It's just that everyone else now gets it for free, and you get a free game on top of that.

No they aren't. People bought a season pass, its been cancelled, they don't have an option to get their money back.

Not precisely. The season pass is no longer being sold. Those who have the season pass are still recieving the DLC they paid for, and on top of this they now get a free game.

No they aren't. They're only getting one piece of DLC, which is being given free to every owner of the game, not just people who bought the season pass. Unless you're somehow trying to falsely argue that the season pass was $30 for just the Dead Kings pack.

I think it depends on whether or not, they ever actually said what all the extra DLC was. If they never specified anything, then they didn't break any laws.

This is actually illegal under British consumer law, the "invitation to treat" offered them additional content for a specified product, Assassins Creed Unity. By pre-purchasing it the customer has entered a contract with Ubisoft to provide the product as advertised during the invitation to treat and its up to Ubisoft to provide that product and/or service, in the event that they cannot provide that product and/or service Ubisoft are obligated to make a full refund. When offering another product as compensation like a completely different game its down to the individuals consumers discretion whether they want to accept it or not, they can accept it or ask for a refund.

If people here in the UK ask for a cash refund and Ubisoft refuse the consumer can make a complaint to Trading Standards through the relevant local agency (their local Borough Council or Citizens Advice Bureau) and they can force them to settle, if enough people make a complaint about it Trading Standards can actually prosecute and fine them.

Not to mention Ubisoft can be forced to give refunds for Unity in the first place, products have to be "as advertised" and "fit for intended purpose" and a game that you cannot play properly and does not work the way it was advertised is definitely not fit for purpose. They cannot hide behind "we will patch it" either, its the here and now that matters and if the product is broken now they are obligated to give a refund. Its down to consumer discretion if they accept Ubisofts promise to fix it, but if they want their money back they are obligated.

I would image many nations in the EU have similar legislation, some of them and the EU wide consumer protection laws are even firmer than the UK regulations.

Ubisoft is providing the product. The Season Pass hasn't been "cancelled" in the sense you won't get what you paid for. It's been "cancelled" in the sense Ubisoft aren't going to sell anymore.

As for the bugs, that's another matter.

 

[Strazdas]

They're not actually cancelling anything, they are just no longer selling the Season Pass. If you take a look at the FAQ [http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-GB/community/liveupdates/live_updates_details.aspx?c=tcm:154-186650-16&ct=tcm:148-76770-32] they posted, the only changes being made are that Dead Kings is going to be free and that people who own the Season Pass get a free game to make up for it. Provided you want one of the free games it ends up being a pretty good deal.

So basically they stopped selling something that they made free without actually giving what they promised for paid costumers first. so yeah, they cancelled it. if your not getting anything for Season Pass that you dont get for free anyway its really just a scam with no refund.

And if i dont want any of the games they offer instead then they are simply giving me nothing. switching the end product is bad practice. you dont sell a fish and deliver meat instead. because then the person would be liable for refund.

Im sure something is missing from this article. Canceling a product and not offering refund for people who have ordered it is illegal and i doubt Ubisoft would go that far shafting consumers.

Speak for your own jurisdiction.

I am. As i pointed out multiple times, i speak for jurisdiction based on EU law.

 

[Ambient_Malice]

They're not actually cancelling anything, they are just no longer selling the Season Pass. If you take a look at the FAQ [http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-GB/community/liveupdates/live_updates_details.aspx?c=tcm:154-186650-16&ct=tcm:148-76770-32] they posted, the only changes being made are that Dead Kings is going to be free and that people who own the Season Pass get a free game to make up for it. Provided you want one of the free games it ends up being a pretty good deal.

So basically they stopped selling something that they made free without actually giving what they promised for paid costumers first. so yeah, they cancelled it. if your not getting anything for Season Pass that you dont get for free anyway its really just a scam with no refund.

And if i dont want any of the games they offer instead then they are simply giving me nothing. switching the end product is bad practice. you dont sell a fish and deliver meat instead. because then the person would be liable for refund.

Im sure something is missing from this article. Canceling a product and not offering refund for people who have ordered it is illegal and i doubt Ubisoft would go that far shafting consumers.

Speak for your own jurisdiction.

I am. As i pointed out multiple times, i speak for jurisdiction based on EU law.

Actually, only one piece of the season pass has been made free. People who bought the Season Pass still get:

Bonus missions.
That Chinese Spinoff Game.
Extra Equipment.

None of that has magically become free.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Good. Maybe people will stop pre-ordering season passes. Even better, maybe the publishers will stop selling them.

 

[themilo504]

Mixed feelings all around, I like that ubisoft is giving away free stuff but the option to refund your season pass would have been nice.

I really hope that ubisoft stops releasing yearly assassins creed games, I like the series and feel that it still has a lot of potential, but give the series a rest for a few years and then make a ac game that actually has good combat.

 

[Ambient_Malice]

Mixed feelings all around, I like that ubisoft is giving away free stuff but the option to refund your season pass would have been nice.

I really hope that ubisoft stops releasing yearly assassins creed games, I like the series and feel that it still has a lot of potential, but give the series a rest for a few years and then make a ac game that actually has good combat.

I feel the need to point out that what you consider good combat might be considered by Ubisoft as "inaccessible" combat. The last thing Ubisoft want to make a game which has excessively difficult combat which pisses off fans who aren't interested in mastering a combat system.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Pretty sure it's not legal to force customers into a separate deal in most countries, but then again their clientele was so far ok with anything Ubisoft did so it's not like there will be anything other then complacency.

 

[Ambient_Malice]

Pretty sure it's not legal to force customers into a separate deal in most countries, but then again their clientele was so far ok with anything Ubisoft did so it's not like there will be anything other then complacency.

Customers aren't being "forced" into anything. Literally the only changes are as follows.

1: No more season passes will be sold. (Season Passes will still be usable.)
2: All customers will receive ONE piece of DLC. Now granted, this DLC is a pretty significant chunk of the Season Pass.

If you bought a Season Pass, nothing has changed.

 

[black_knight1337]

So basically they stopped selling something that they made free without actually giving what they promised for paid costumers first. so yeah, they cancelled it. if your not getting anything for Season Pass that you dont get for free anyway its really just a scam with no refund.

And if i dont want any of the games they offer instead then they are simply giving me nothing. switching the end product is bad practice. you dont sell a fish and deliver meat instead. because then the person would be liable for refund.

Did you read what I linked? No content is being cut from the Season Pass at all. If you bought the Season Pass, you're still getting everything that you paid for, only now, you're getting a game on top of that.

 

[Quellist]

I hate season passes, its a grubby way of making people pay twice for a game and i hope this proves to be the first of many nails in the Season pass coffin.

Im worried however that this is an indication that Ubisoft are cutting Unity loose and wont be making any serious attempt to fix all the bugs