Ubisoft has issued responses to player criticism regarding microtransactions in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, stating that the "standard edition is the full, complete experience" and that additional packs are "entirely optional extras." The game initially received mixed reviews on Steam following its launch, with many players expressing frustration over the perceived proliferation of purchasable items like outfits and weapons, as well as map packs that reveal in-game content.
Players voiced concerns on the Steam store page, with one review noting, "What's the point of getting the deluxe version when, immediately in game, there's $84.91-worth [of] 'DLC' that you don't own." Another stated, "I want a single player experience I can enjoy WITHOUT microtransactions." In response to these reviews, Ubisoft provided a consistent message across multiple complaints.
"We've seen your feedback since launch, and we're reading all of it. Thank you for caring this much about Black Flag Resynced," the studio's boilerplate response reads. "We want to be clear on one point: the standard edition is the full, complete experience. Every mission, every island, the full story and the complete world are all there, with nothing held back. The additional packs are entirely optional extras for players who want them, never a requirement to enjoy or complete the game. We'll keep listening as you play!"
A slightly varied response was given to a positive review that still mentioned the microtransactions. In that instance, Ubisoft stated, "The frustration around day-one DLC is something we take seriously," while reiterating that the game's DLC is not essential for completion.
While Ubisoft maintains that the microtransactions are non-essential, some players and critics have pointed out the game's design, which can inadvertently lead users to the in-game store. For example, pressing the pause button twice instead of once to resume gameplay can direct players to the store tab, a behavior described as "diabolical." The developer's assurances that the DLC is ignorable, consisting of outfits and weapons, have not entirely alleviated player concerns about the monetization strategy. Morgan, a reviewer who played the remake, was reportedly unhappy with the way Ubisoft implemented these monetization features, suggesting that a copy-paste response about the DLC's necessity would not assuage his concerns. The reviewer also noted that the accidental navigation to the store page was a point of annoyance, despite agreeing that the purchasable content itself, such as outfits and weapons, was not strictly required to progress through the game.