Ubisoft has introduced a brand‑new initiative known as The Player Council, a dedicated play‑testing platform that gives members of the gaming community a structured way to experiment with upcoming ideas and share their thoughts straight with the studios that create them. The service is being rolled out in a soft‑launch phase and is built on top of Ubisoft Connect together with the Games2Gether community framework, allowing participants to engage with both brand‑new prototypes and live content from existing PC titles.
During this initial phase, four distinct projects are available for testing. Two of them are early‑stage prototypes: the multiplayer shooter codenamed "Split Point" and a single‑player strategy experience titled "Rook".
In addition, two fully released games are being supported: the extreme‑sports open‑world title Riders Republic and the long‑running sci‑fi shooter Atomega. The inclusion of Atomega is particularly noteworthy because the game is slated to receive its first major update in nine years, offering a rare glimpse into how Ubisoft plans to rejuvenate legacy titles. Ubisoft explains that the purpose of The Player Council is to create a feedback loop that is both rapid and transparent.
By allowing players to "test new ideas, gather player feedback and suggestions, and then make changes and develop future content based on community input," the company hopes to fine‑tune mechanics, balance systems, and overall player experience before committing to larger scale releases. This approach mirrors the growing industry trend of involving the community early in the development cycle rather than waiting for post‑launch patches.
Looking ahead, Ubisoft has announced that two additional cooperative projects, currently referred to as "Codename Decagon" and "Codename Harlequin," will be added to the roster later in the year. These titles will expand the range of genres and play styles covered by the council, giving participants a broader spectrum of experiences to evaluate. The sign‑up process is straightforward but comes with a few requirements. Registration on the platform is free of charge, yet every participant must sign a non‑disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect the confidentiality of unreleased material.
Once registered, users can browse the available projects and submit applications to join the ones that interest them. If a developer approves the request, the player gains access to the build, can spend time playing, and is then asked to submit structured feedback through surveys, discussion forums, or direct communication channels.
Feedback is not a one‑way street. Players are grouped with other testers so they can discuss observations, propose improvements, and debate design choices. Meanwhile, developers commit to sharing insights about their decision‑making processes, explaining why certain features are kept, altered, or discarded based on the community’s input. This level of openness is intended to foster trust and give participants a sense of ownership over the final product.
Ubisoft has clarified that there is no monetary cost associated with testing prototypes. For live‑content testing, the only prerequisite is that the participant already owns the game in question. This means that existing fans of Riders Republic or Atomega can simply opt‑in to test new updates without purchasing anything extra. The platform employs a tiered access model.
All new members start at the "Member Access" level, which grants basic testing opportunities. As players contribute more feedback and demonstrate consistent engagement, they can unlock higher tiers such as "Insider Access" and "Shaper Access." These advanced levels provide entry to more sensitive projects, earlier‑stage builds, and exclusive content that is not yet public.
Ubisoft also signals that The Player Council will evolve over time, with new tools, experimental features, and additional prototypes slated to join the catalog as development progresses. The company sees the council as a living ecosystem that will adapt to the shifting needs of both developers and the community.
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 and instead leans on its extensive back‑catalog and live‑service titles for steady revenue.
By engaging players early and continuously, Ubisoft aims to mitigate the risks associated with launching games that are either under‑developed or released in overly crowded market windows, which the report warned can severely dampen commercial performance. Through this collaborative play‑testing framework, Ubisoft hopes to fine‑tune its offerings, extend the lifespan of existing franchises, and ultimately deliver experiences that resonate more deeply with its audience.