The gaming industry has made it clear over the past decade that live-service games are extremely challenging to develop and sustain. After the rise of popular live-service titles like Fortnite and Skull and Bones Items PUBG, many publishers attempted to create their own successful live-service hits, often with disappointing results. Developing a live-service game that maintains satisfying gameplay, engaging progression systems, and a compelling ongoing narrative is an elusive feat.

Skull and Bones, Ubisoft's piracy-themed action-adventure game, appears to be facing these difficulties. After nearly a decade in development and multiple restarts, Skull and Bones finally launched in February 2023 to a lukewarm critical reception, currently sitting at a Metacritic score of 59.

Insider Gaming reported that the game had only around 850,000 players across all platforms in its first week, which is considered a relatively low player count for a Ubisoft release, especially for the company's self-described "AAAA" title. Importantly, this figure included players using the game's free trial, suggesting the actual paid player base may be even smaller.

Ubisoft has not provided any official updates on Skull and Bones' player numbers or commercial performance. However, the game's prominent inclusion in recent platform sales suggests Ubisoft may be struggling to maintain its initial $70 price point.

In contrast, the recently launched live-service game Helldivers 2 reported over 12 million sales in its first few months, with Sony actively promoting its success. Skull and Bones' relative silence on player metrics seems to indicate the game is not finding the same level of audience engagement.

To revive the game, Ubisoft may need to consider a bold move - transitioning buy Skull and Bones Items to a free-to-play model. The company has seen increased player activity when offering free trials, suggesting a free-to-play approach could help boost the player base and potentially lead to more sustainable revenue through in-game monetization. While a risky decision, it may be Skull and Bones' last chance to find long-term success as a live-service title.