Ubisoft Defends Optional DLC Costs in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced has hit a rough patch on Steam, where its launch-day paid add-ons have sparked an unusually loud backlash. Even though the game’s reviews have been broadly positive, players on the storefront are pointing at the cost of optional DLC packs—pushing the total price of extras to $85 on top of the $60 base purchase.

The complaints focus on a lineup of cosmetic-themed bundles available right away, each priced at $10, plus an additional $5 map pack. While the presence of extra content is nothing new for the Assassin’s Creed series, the sheer number of day-one offers—and the way they stack in price—has turned into a flashpoint for part of the community.

What players said, and how Ubisoft responded

1. Players began posting angry reactions on the Steam store page, arguing that Ubisoft’s DLC rollout feels excessive on launch day, especially alongside the game’s full price.
2. One critic called out the timing directly, claiming that a €70 release was paired with about €85 worth of add-ons that they felt went beyond “purely cosmetic” items and could offer gameplay advantages.
3. Another commenter said the deluxe version did not feel like “the full game,” pointing to the immediate presence of additional paid content totaling $84.91.
4. A third fan described buying the Deluxe Edition under the expectation that it would include everything, then reacting to what they estimated as more than £75 in day-one DLC.

Ubisoft has since responded to the criticism with a Steam community statement aimed at clarifying what comes in the box. The publisher’s representative said they’ve been reading player feedback since launch, and emphasized a key point: the standard edition is presented as the complete package, including every mission, every island, the full narrative, and the entire world, with no content removed for sale later.

They further stated that the additional packs are optional extras for players who want them, and not something needed to enjoy or finish the game. The response closed by promising continued listening as people play.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launch DLC lineup

At launch, the available packs named in the discussion include:

Master Assassin Character Pack, Master Assassin Naval Pack, Hellfire Character Pack, Hellfire Naval Pack, Sea Serpent Character Pack, Sea Serpent Naval Pack, Dragon Storm Character Pack, Dragon Storm Naval Pack, and the Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced – Map Pack.

Each $10 pack is described as either a new costume for protagonist Edward Kenway or an alternate cosmetic look for the Jackdaw. The one exception is the $5 map pack, which highlights collectibles so players don’t have to locate those items manually.

Beyond the microtransaction debate, the remade and refined version of Ubisoft’s pirate adventure has also been praised for bringing the experience up to modern expectations. The updated approach cuts the multiplayer and the modern-day portions, swapping them out with extra missions and story moments set in the Caribbean. It also includes a ground-up remake effort, bringing significant visual upgrades.

Sales and player activity: concurrent peak on Steam

Separate from the DLC controversy, the game is reportedly doing well in terms of player numbers. Resynced reportedly set a new Steam concurrent player high of roughly 100,000 at its peak, which is said to be more than a third higher than the peak recorded by Assassin’s Creed Shadows during its feudal Japan run.

In terms of review coverage, IGN’s Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced review gave the game a 9/10, describing it as more than just a prettier version of the original and saying it brings one of the series’ standout entries up to today’s standards.

If you’re jumping into the Golden Age of Piracy, the guide section points players toward a checklist of what to do first, plus tips and tricks designed to smooth out Edward Kenway’s journey. It also encourages players not to miss collectibles while exploring the Caribbean—specifically mentioning shanties that keep the crew entertained at sea. For combat and progression, it recommends using a naval combat guide to take apart rival ships and advises saving Reales for the next Jackdaw upgrade so you can become as formidable as possible.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social