Ubisoft has introduced a new initiative called The Player Council, a play‑testing hub that gives members of the gaming community the opportunity to try out unfinished game ideas and provide direct input to the studios that create them. Built on the foundations of Ubisoft Connect and the Games2Gether community framework, the platform is designed to bridge the gap between developers and players by allowing the latter to experience early concepts, prototype builds, and even live updates for games that are already on the market.
During its soft‑launch phase, The Player Council is featuring four distinct projects. Two of these are brand‑new prototypes: the online multiplayer title codenamed "Split Point" and a single‑player strategy experience known as "Rook." In addition, the platform includes two live games that are already available to the public – Riders Republic, a large‑scale extreme‑sports sandbox, and Atomega, an online arena shooter that is slated to receive its first major update in nine years. By involving players in the testing of both fresh concepts and established titles, Ubisoft hopes to gather a wide spectrum of feedback that can shape future development cycles. Ubisoft explains that participation in The Player Council will enable its teams to "test new ideas, gather player feedback and suggestions, and then make changes and develop future content based on community input." In practical terms, this means that testers will not only play the games but also engage in structured discussions, answer surveys, and contribute ideas that developers can evaluate when refining mechanics, balancing systems, or planning new content drops.
The roadmap for the council does not stop at the initial quartet of projects. Ubisoft has announced that two additional co‑op experiences – codenamed "Decagon" and "Harlequin" – will be added later in the year, further expanding the variety of genres and play styles available for community testing. This incremental rollout is intended to keep the platform dynamic and to continuously offer fresh challenges for participants. Signing up for The Player Council is free of charge, but prospective testers must agree to a non‑disclosure agreement (NDA) before they can access any material.
After completing the registration process, users can apply to the projects that interest them. If a developer selects a player’s application, that individual gains access to the relevant build, can play the game, and is then asked to submit feedback through the platform’s built‑in tools. The system also pairs testers with other community members, fostering collaborative discussion about what works, what doesn’t, and how the experience could be improved.
Ubisoft makes it clear that there is no monetary cost attached to testing prototypes, and that testing live content is limited to players who already own the base game. This approach ensures that the testing pool consists of genuine fans who have a vested interest in the title’s success, while also protecting the intellectual property of the studio.
The Player Council employs a tiered access model. All new members start at the "Member Access" level, which grants them entry to a selection of low‑risk projects.
As testers contribute more feedback and demonstrate a consistent engagement pattern, they can unlock higher tiers such as "Insider Access" and "Shaper Access." These advanced levels open the door to more sensitive projects, early‑stage prototypes, and content that is still under heavy development, giving the most dedicated participants a glimpse into the creative process before anyone else. Ubisoft also emphasizes that the platform will evolve over time. New tools, experimental features, and additional games will be added as the council matures, turning it into a living laboratory for both developers and players.
The company believes that this continuous flow of community insight will help it shift away from a reliance on traditional, single‑launch revenue models. In a broader strategic context, Ubisoft disclosed in its 2025/26 annual report that it is moving toward a "more selective model" for releasing titles.
Rather than depending heavily on blockbuster launches that compete with other major releases or coincide with large‑scale in‑game events, the publisher intends to lean on its extensive back‑catalogue and live‑service titles for a steadier revenue stream. By integrating The Player Council into this strategy, Ubisoft hopes to fine‑tune games before they reach a wider audience, thereby reducing the risk of under‑performing launches caused by premature releases or insufficient polish. Overall, The Player Council represents a concerted effort by Ubisoft to democratize the development process, giving players a meaningful voice in shaping the games they love.
By combining free access, structured feedback mechanisms, and a tiered reward system, the platform aims to create a symbiotic relationship where developers receive actionable data and the community enjoys a deeper, more immersive involvement in the creation of future gaming experiences.