Ubisoft has introduced a new service called The Player Council, a dedicated platform that enables members of the gaming community to experiment with upcoming game ideas and share their thoughts straight with the studios that create them. Built on the foundation of Ubisoft Connect and the Games2Gether community hub, this initiative is designed to bridge the gap between developers and players by offering a structured environment where early concepts, experimental prototypes, and even live updates for existing PC titles can be examined and critiqued.
During the initial soft launch, four distinct projects have been made available for testing. Two of these are brand‑new prototypes: the multiplayer title codenamed "Split Point," which focuses on online competitive play, and the single‑player strategy experience codenamed "Rook," which emphasizes tactical decision‑making. In addition to these fresh concepts, the platform also includes live‑service games that are already on the market – specifically "Riders Republic," a massive multiplayer extreme‑sports adventure, and "Atomega," a sci‑fi shooter that is slated to receive its first major update in nine years.
The inclusion of Atomega is particularly noteworthy because it demonstrates Ubisoft's intention to use The Player Council not only for brand‑new ideas but also for revitalising legacy titles. By inviting a select group of players to test forthcoming patches and content drops, Ubisoft hopes to gather concrete data on what works and what doesn’t before committing the changes to the broader player base.
According to the company, the feedback loop established through the Council will allow the development team to "test new ideas, gather player feedback and suggestions, and then make changes and develop future content based on community input." Looking ahead, Ubisoft has announced that two additional cooperative projects – codenamed "Decagon" and "Harlequin" – will be integrated into the platform later this year. These additions will broaden the range of genres and gameplay styles available for testing, giving participants a more varied palette of experiences to evaluate. Joining The Player Council is free of charge, but prospective testers must first sign a non‑disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect confidential information about unreleased features. After completing the registration process, users can submit applications for the specific projects they are interested in.
If a developer approves the application, the player gains access to the build, can play the content, and is then invited to submit structured feedback. The feedback process is collaborative. Participants are grouped with other testers so they can discuss observations, suggest improvements, and highlight any bugs or balance issues they encounter.
Simultaneously, developers provide insight into their decision‑making, explaining why certain design choices were made and how community input will shape subsequent iterations. Ubisoft emphasizes that there is no monetary cost associated with testing prototypes, and that testing live content is only available to those who already own the respective game. The platform employs a tiered access system.
All new members start at the "Member Access" level, which grants basic testing privileges. As users contribute more feedback and demonstrate consistent engagement, they can ascend to higher tiers such as "Insider Access" and "Shaper Access." These advanced levels unlock more sensitive projects, earlier‑stage builds, and deeper involvement in the development pipeline, rewarding dedicated community members with a closer look at the creative process. Ubisoft also indicates that The Player Council will evolve over time, with fresh tools, experimental features, and additional prototypes being added on a regular basis. This ongoing expansion aims to keep the community engaged and to provide a steady stream of fresh data for the studio's research and development teams.
The launch of The Player Council aligns with a broader strategic shift announced by Ubisoft last month. In its 2025/26 annual report, the publisher outlined a move toward a "more selective model" that reduces reliance on the traditional, high‑risk model of launching a large number of new titles each year. Instead, Ubisoft plans to lean more heavily on its existing catalog and live‑service games for sustained revenue. The report warned that releasing a game prematurely, or launching it alongside competing high‑profile releases, major technical innovations, or simultaneous in‑game events can dilute its commercial impact.
By involving players early through The Player Council, Ubisoft hopes to fine‑tune its offerings, mitigate launch risks, and ensure that new releases are polished and market‑ready. In summary, The Player Council represents Ubisoft's commitment to a more collaborative development philosophy. It provides a structured avenue for players to influence the evolution of both nascent concepts and established live‑service titles, while giving developers a reliable source of real‑world data to inform design decisions.
As the platform matures, it is expected to become a cornerstone of Ubisoft's approach to creating games that resonate with its audience, ultimately supporting the company's shift toward a more sustainable, community‑driven business model.