'Optional Packs Are Not Mandatory': Ubisoft Addresses Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Microtransaction Backlash, as $60 Game Ships with $85 in DLC

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has had a turbulent launch on Steam, where the $60 game's collection of optional extras totals $85. Despite positive critical reviews, players have left harsh feedback on the Steam store page regarding the day-one availability of $10 cosmetic packs and a $5 map pack add-on. While such content is not unusual for an Assassin's Creed game, the sheer volume and pricing at launch have sparked outrage. Ubisoft has now responded, reminding players that these add-ons are not essential.

"Come on Ubisoft, you just couldn't hold yourself, huh?!" wrote one player. "Releasing a €70 game and on launch day you slap us with €85 worth of DLC packs that are not just cosmetic but give a gameplay advantage. This is why piracy exists, and I will be refunding!"

"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?" added another fan.

"Bought the Deluxe Edition, foolishly thinking I'd be buying the FULL game," said a third. "Here I was thinking Ubisoft had turned a new leaf, then WHAM, they hit you with over £75 worth of additional day 1 DLC."

Available DLC packs at launch include the 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. Priced at $10 each, these contain either a new costume for hero Edward Kenway or a cosmetic look for his ship, the Jackdaw, except for the $5 map pack that highlights all collectibles without manual discovery.

"We've seen your feedback since launch, and we're reading all of it," a Ubisoft community spokesperson said in a Steam response. "Thank you for caring this much about Black Flag Resynced. We want to be clear: 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!"

Microtransactions aside, Ubisoft's expanded and polished version of its pirate adventure classic has been praised for modernizing the game. While multiplayer and modern-day segments have been cut, they've been replaced with additional missions and story scenes set in the Caribbean. The ground-up remake also brings notable visual upgrades.

Sales-wise, the game is performing well. Yesterday, Resynced broke the franchise's Steam concurrent player record with a peak of around 100,000—over a third more than the peak for feudal Japan blockbuster Assassin's Creed Shadows.

"More than just a shinier version of the same game you remember, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced brings what was already one of the best games in the series up to today's standards," IGN wrote in their review, rating the game 9/10.

Before diving into the Golden Age of Piracy, check out our guides on things to do first and tips to help Edward Kenway's journey go smoothly. As you explore the Caribbean, don't miss a single collectible, especially the shanties to keep you and your crew entertained on the high seas. Blow other ships to smithereens with our naval combat guide and save Reales for your next Jackdaw upgrade to become the mightiest pirate you can be.