Ubisoft has introduced a new initiative called The Player Council, a testing platform that gives gamers the opportunity to experience unreleased ideas and provide direct input to the studio’s development teams. Built on top of Ubisoft Connect and the Games2Gether community framework, the service is designed to bring players into the early stages of game creation, allowing them to try out experimental concepts, prototype mechanics, and even live content updates for games that are already on the market. During its soft‑launch phase, The Player Council is supporting four distinct projects.
Two of these are brand‑new prototypes: the multiplayer title Codename Split Point, which focuses on online competitive play, and the single‑player strategy experience Codename Rook. In addition, the platform is opening up live‑content testing for two existing releases, Riders Republic and Atomega. The inclusion of Atomega is particularly noteworthy because the game is slated to receive its first major update in nine years, giving long‑time fans a rare chance to shape the direction of a legacy title.
Ubisoft explains that the primary goal of the council is to "test new ideas, gather player feedback and suggestions, and then make changes and develop future content based on community input." By involving players early, the company hopes to reduce the risk of launching under‑cooked features and to fine‑tune gameplay loops before they reach a wider audience. The feedback loop is intended to be two‑way: participants not only submit their thoughts, but developers also share insights into why certain design decisions are made, fostering a transparent development environment. The roadmap for The Player Council does not stop with the initial quartet of projects. Ubisoft has announced that two additional cooperative experiments—Codename Decagon and Codename Harlequin—will join the platform later in the year.
This staggered rollout is meant to keep the community engaged over time and to provide a steady stream of fresh content for testers to evaluate. Signing up for the program is free, but prospective members must agree to a non‑disclosure agreement (NDA) before they can access any material.
Once registered, users can apply to the projects that interest them. If a developer accepts an applicant, that player gains access to the specific build, can play through it, and is then asked to submit structured feedback.
The system also pairs testers with other participants, encouraging collaborative discussion about potential improvements, bugs, and overall enjoyment. Ubisoft makes it clear that there is no monetary charge for trying out prototypes. For live‑content testing, the only requirement is that the participant already owns the game in question.
This ensures that the testing pool consists of genuine fans who have a vested interest in the title’s success. The Player Council employs a tiered membership model. All new members start at the "Member Access" level, which grants basic testing privileges. As players contribute more feedback and demonstrate a commitment to the process, they can unlock higher tiers such as "Insider Access" and "Shaper Access." These advanced tiers open the door to more sensitive projects, earlier‑stage builds, and content that is not yet public.
The tier system incentivizes sustained involvement and rewards those who provide high‑quality, actionable insights. Looking ahead, Ubisoft says the platform will continue to expand, adding new tools, prototypes, and even whole games as the service matures. The company envisions The Player Council becoming a permanent fixture in its development pipeline, complementing traditional quality‑assurance methods with community‑driven testing. The launch of The Player Council aligns with Ubisoft’s broader strategic shift announced last month.
In its 2025/26 annual report, the publisher outlined a move toward a "more selective model" that reduces dependence on blockbuster launches. Instead, Ubisoft plans to lean more heavily on its existing catalog and live‑service titles for steady revenue. The report warned that releasing a game prematurely, or launching it alongside major competing releases, in‑game events, or surprise updates for older titles can dilute commercial impact.
By involving players early through The Player Council, Ubisoft hopes to mitigate those risks, ensuring that each new feature or update is polished, well‑received, and timed for maximum market effect. In summary, The Player Council represents a collaborative bridge between Ubisoft’s development studios and its player base. It offers free, NDA‑protected access to both experimental prototypes and live‑content updates, rewards active contributors with tiered privileges, and promises a continual flow of new testing opportunities.
For gamers eager to influence the future of their favorite franchises, the platform provides a rare and structured avenue to have their voices heard directly by the creators.