Ubisoft has introduced a new play‑testing service named The Player Council, designed to give gamers a direct line of communication with the studio’s developers. Built on the foundations of Ubisoft Connect and the community‑driven Games2Gether platform, this initiative allows participants to experiment with early‑stage ideas, prototype mechanics, and even live updates for games that are already available on PC. During the soft‑launch phase, four distinct projects are being offered to the community.
Two of these are brand‑new prototypes: the multiplayer‑focused "Codename Split Point," which explores innovative online combat scenarios, and the single‑player strategy title "Codename Rook," which aims to test novel tactical gameplay loops. In addition, two existing live‑service games are part of the initial roster: "Riders Republic," a massive‑multiplayer extreme‑sports title, and "Atomega," a sci‑fi shooter that is slated to receive its first major update in nine years. Ubisoft emphasizes that the purpose of The Player Council is to create a feedback loop that is both rapid and transparent.
By involving players early in the development cycle, the company hopes to "test new ideas, gather player feedback and suggestions, and then make changes and develop future content based on community input," according to an official statement. This collaborative approach is intended to shape the direction of upcoming content, ensuring that it aligns with the expectations and desires of the player base. The roadmap for the council does not stop with the initial four titles.
Ubisoft has announced that two additional cooperative projects, "Codename Decagon" and "Codename Harlequin," will be opened to testers later in the year, further expanding the variety of experiences available for community evaluation. To join, players must create a free account on the platform and sign a non‑disclosure agreement (NDA). Once registered, they can apply to specific projects that match their interests.
If a developer approves the application, the participant gains access to the game or prototype, plays through the content, and submits detailed feedback through built‑in tools. Testers are grouped with other community members, fostering discussion around potential improvements, while developers share insights into their decision‑making processes as they iterate on the builds. Ubisoft makes it clear that there is no monetary charge for testing prototypes.
For live‑service titles, the only requirement is ownership of the base game; no extra fees are imposed for participating in the testing of new updates or features. The platform employs a tiered system to reward engagement. All newcomers start at the "Member Access" level, which grants basic testing privileges.
As participants contribute more feedback and demonstrate consistent involvement, they can ascend to higher tiers such as "Insider Access" and "Shaper Access," which unlock more sensitive projects and earlier‑stage content that is not yet public. The company also promises that The Player Council will evolve over time, with new tools, experimental features, and additional games being added as the service matures. This continuous expansion aims to keep the community engaged and provide developers with a steady stream of actionable data.
The launch of The Player Council fits into 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 reliance on blockbuster, one‑off releases. Instead, Ubisoft plans to lean more heavily on its existing catalog and live‑service titles for sustained revenue.
The report warned that releasing a game prematurely, or launching it simultaneously with major competitors, high‑profile events, or unannounced updates can dilute its commercial impact. By involving players early through The Player Council, Ubisoft hopes to mitigate those risks, fine‑tune its offerings, and deliver experiences that resonate more strongly with its audience. In summary, The Player Council represents a structured, community‑centric approach to game development.
It gives players the opportunity to influence the evolution of both brand‑new concepts and established live games, while providing Ubisoft with valuable, real‑world data to inform design decisions. As the platform grows, it may become a cornerstone of the studio’s development pipeline, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where creators and gamers work side by side to shape the future of interactive entertainment.