Ubisoft’s Latest Blunder: Forcing Players to Buy DLC to Play Their Own Game...
I know, I know - it's hard to believe, but Ubisoft has YET AGAIN found another way to go and outdo themselves, proving once more why they've earned the extreme hatred of gamers worldwide. Players of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora are discovering an... issue: they’re being locked out of their base game save files unless they shell out for the Sky Breaker DLC. That’s right—so, Ubisoft's effectively holding your progress hostage unless they pay extra. Screw the mob, this is the modern age of extortion! If we thought Ubisoft couldn’t sink any lower, think again...
The Issue at Hand
Shout out to Andy Belon aka @TouchMePaynis on X, who tipped me off about the reports that began flooding Reddit shortly after the Sky Breaker DLC launched.
Those who'd invested hours into the base game suddenly found their progress... inaccessible, and they were greeted with an error message demanding the DLC be purchased and installed to continue... uhh... What?
This all sounds awfully familiar to that Star Wars Outlaws bug that required all the early access users to start all over again fresh with their progress in a new save file after an update corrupted the future progress of an old save file. Come on, Ubisoft. Can we go just one day without hearing you boned gamers in a different way? We're collectively BEGGING you.
The issue going on here isn’t isolated either—players across different platforms have been sharing similar stories. They have all been upwards of 50% or more through the game and were forced into a "new game or pay up" scenario.
Even worse, some who bought the DLC to resolve the issue claimed to STILL have their saves locked and broken.
Ubisoft’s Response: Too Little, Too Late
Ubisoft has acknowledged the problem, blaming it on a "bug".
Their vague statement assures players that the issue is being “investigated” but they offered no timeline for a fix. In the meantime, frustrated customers have been continually left in limbo. The affected players have described Ubisoft’s support system as “worthless,” with many tickets ignored or closed without resolution... Imagine having an issue unresolved with a company and after a while they just go and close it out regardless. One user on Reddit stated, “This absolutely reeks of fraud,” and honestly - it’s hard for me to argue otherwise when a bug conveniently directs players to spend MORE money to play a game they already own. Ahhh the future of gaming is just wonderful.
Is This a Bug—or Something More?
Whether intentional or not, this debacle feels like yet another cash grab by a desperate company. Ubisoft has a bad reputation for nickel-and-diming its player base with microtransactions, season passes, and now, apparently... DLC paywalls being disguised as “bugs.”
Even if this wasn’t deliberate, the optics here are just terrible. Gamers were never informed that purchasing future DLC would be required to complete the base game—a practice that feels not only unethical but let's be honest - straight up illegal.
Why Ubisoft Sucks
Let’s not pretend this is an isolated incident, either. Ubisoft's been in hot water for years, plagued by patterns of poor decision-making and anti-consumer practices. From overstuffing their games with grindy microtransactions to ignoring important player feedback, the company seems ...perpetually 'out of touch'. This latest fiasco is just another chapter in Ubisoft’s long-ass history of disappointing its fans.
Players are already skeptical of the company after the CEO’s tone-deaf comments blaming employees for their own financial troubles. Now, with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Ubisoft has cemented themselves as one of the most hated publishers in gaming (step aside, EA). Bugs happen, sure - but locking progress behind a DLC paywall—even unintentionally—is a new low. There's no way this type of product should EVER release in a state that would do this to owners of the original game.
Gamers Are Fighting Back
The backlash has been HARSH. Many players are demanding refunds while also vowing never to buy another Ubisoft game again. One particularly fed-up user said, “Even if they release a game I want to play, I will pirate it just because of this.” Others say they're looking to indie developers for games that won’t exploit wallets under the guise of “live service” models. It's an absolute shit show in the forum right now.
Players have also taken to Reddit and other places to share their outrage and hold Ubisoft accountable. Yet despite the noise, Ubisoft has remained silent on providing a concrete fix—or even addressing compensation for affected players. Meanwhile, the company is happily promoting its next cash cow, Star Wars: Outlaws, which many predict will carry the same exploitative practices... and now we are 4 months INTO this issue without a peep from Ubisoft.
The Bottom Line
Ubisoft has made it abundantly clear that it prioritizes profits over players. This latest situation isn’t just a "bug"—it’s emblematic of a company that's stopped caring about its core audience.
Whether intentional or not, locking save files behind a DLC paywall is a straight-up betrayal of consumer trust and yet another reason why Ubisoft’s reputation is in the trash.
Gamers deserve better than a company that treats them like numbers of walking wallets. Until Ubisoft learns to respect its player base, it’s safe to say they’ll continue to bleed goodwill—and customers...
~Smash
I told y'all YEARS ago to stop buying Ubisoft. Gamers always gotta learn the hard way.
If UbiSoft think that they are gonna force all gamers to buy the Avatar game, I think not. Many will go to pirate site and they will download the game for free
Unbelievable atop of everything else they do this. This reminds me of bungie did with the destiny 1 locking planets that were available from day one until they released their expansion then they locked them