Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's collection of day one downloadable content has reportedly generated $1 million in revenue on Steam alone, according to analysis from Alinea Analytics. The controversial DLC offering, which totals $85 and includes packs that provide gameplay advantages, has drawn significant backlash from players.
Ubisoft has announced that Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced achieved over 2 million sales across all platforms within its first 24 hours. However, the game's reception has been tempered by the contentious nature of its optional extras. Players have voiced their displeasure on Steam, with some citing the expensive DLC, which exceeds the base game's price, as a reason for seeking refunds and a driver for piracy.
The criticism has contributed to a decline in the game's user review average on Steam. Many players are particularly upset that the additional packs are presented to users via in-game pop-up messages, increasing their visibility.
The least expensive of these add-ons, a $4.99 Map Pack that reveals in-game collectibles, was purchased by approximately 6.34% of Steam players. Individual $9.99 cosmetic packs, offering premium skins for the protagonist Edward Kenway or his ship, the Jackdaw, saw an attach rate of around 2%. While these cosmetic packs do not offer gameplay benefits, their inclusion alongside gameplay-advantage DLC has fueled player frustration.
A Ubisoft community spokesperson addressed the backlash, stating that the standard edition of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a complete experience, with all missions, story content, and the full world accessible without purchasing additional packs. The spokesperson assured players that the additional packs are entirely optional and that the company would continue to monitor feedback.