Ubisoft Won’t Make a Profit from Loot Boxes in Assassin’s Creed Origins

Assassin’s Creed Origins will have loot boxes.

Most major games nowadays provide opportunities to purchase powerful gear using real/virtual currency. And because the money from these transactions usually goes to the developers, they’re often viewed as cash grabs. Ubisoft is no stranger to such tactics, but it looks like the company is slowly trying to change its ways. Its newest game, Assassin’s Creed Origins, will indeed include loot boxes, but they won’t earn Ubisoft any money. Apparently, Origins will include a special traveling-merchant after launch, which will provide daily quests. Apart from quests, it will also ensure access to Heka Chests.

What’s in the box?

The loot chests will include randomized gear and weapons, which can otherwise be found in the real world. The good news is that chests will only be purchasable using virtual currency. This means that they were implemented solely as an optional feature for gamers who like to hoard in-game money. Of course, playing the economy is a valid way to spend time in Assassin’s Creed Origins, and it’s refreshing to see Ubisoft taking notice. That said, the game will not be microtransaction-free. Real money can be used to purchase cosmetic items and costumes. However, it looks like these items can also be obtained just by playing the game.

Here’s a complete statement from Assassin’s Creed Origins co-director Ashraf Ismail:

“[The Nomad’s Bazaar] is a very unique merchant in the world who sells Carbon Crystals, which are the rarest item needed for crafting. He also sells a mystery box which can contain any weapon, piece of gear or item in the game. You can find this stuff in the world, but the idea is if you have the [in-game] money you can just buy stuff for him. It’s a way for people who hoard lots of money, if you min-max the economy system, to gamble the money and get really unique stuff.

The reason we did that was because we saw, even two years ago, people playing the game in different ways. Some people would focus almost entirely on the economy, buying and selling stuff to gain as much money as they can. And we felt like, okay, that’s a valid way to play the game – it’s a part of the RPG aspect, so we’ll let them play the economy. So, it’s one way that we let players purchase or get some of the unique items in the game.”