Ubisoft using core franchises for free-to-play push

Three big PC brands are spearheading Ubisoft’s push into free-to-play.

The firm told MCV at Gamescom in Germany that it can use core games brands with freemium models to attract new audiences. The Ghost Recon, Might & Magic and Anno series are first up.

At Gamescom this week, the firm announced that a freemium version of city-builder Anno will launch before the end of the year. Later in 2013 that will be joined by two Might & Magic games, an MMO and an RPG. Lastly, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online has now come out of its closed beta and is open to all players.

Ubisoft is taking the quality of core games and combining it with the best characteristics of online play,” explained Stephanie Perotti, Ubisoft’s chief operating officer.

She described the firm’s new wave of online games as titles that will stand out from the crowd”.