The mobile game companion application of "Assassin's Creed: Unity" was once a bold attempt by Ubisoft to expand the gaming experience. However, it is now regarded more as a legacy product full of controversy due to technical problems and service closures.
The rise and fall of supporting applications
In 2014, the app was launched alongside the console version of the game. Ubisoft's idea at the time was particularly advanced, and it wanted players to use their mobile phones or tablets to obtain a "second screen" experience that was linked to console games. This application is not just a map viewing tool, it is characterized as a gateway to get deeply involved in the game world.
However, the actual performance of the application is far from the advertised effect. In the early stages of its launch, it was criticized for having serious connection problems and synchronization delays. Many players noticed that the app frequently disconnected from the console game, making the connection's promised real-time functionality unreliable. This has a direct impact on the core experience, turning it from a tool of enhancement to a source of annoyance.
Analysis of core functions in publicity
Ubisoft has highlighted the key features of the application, namely the complete 3D map of Paris and mission planning. In theory, players can browse the three-dimensional model of Paris during the Revolution on their mobile phones, set waypoints, and synchronize the plan to the console game. This is designed to solve the problems of complex maps and difficult navigation in the game.
There is also a very critical function called "Community Hotspot Map". The purpose of this function is to display the paths frequently used by other anonymous players in missions and the positions they occupy during encounters, thereby helping novices plan more advantageous and effective routes. However, this function is extremely dependent on the data of active players. After the popularity of the game has declined, its reference value has decreased rapidly, so that in the end it is completely useless and has no practical effect.
Fraternity Management and Glyph Puzzles
The application allows players to manage their own Assassin Brotherhood. Players can recruit assassins with different characteristics and send them out to complete tasks unique to the mobile phone, thereby obtaining in-game currency and equipment rewards. This part of the design is relatively independent and can be carried out even without online connection, thus becoming one of the few functions that can be used later in the application.
The application is associated with the famous "Paris Story" and "Glyph Puzzle" in the game. Players can directly determine the location of these collection elements on the mobile map and view some puzzle-solving tips. For players who are keen on exploration and puzzle-solving, this reduces the time cost of repeatedly running the map to a certain extent.
Technical Issues and Termination of Service
The most common criticism faced by that application is its technical stability. It has such a requirement that the mobile phone and the game console must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and it is extremely sensitive to network quality. Many players have experienced long waits for connections and synchronization failures, and finally chose to give up using it. The interface and smooth operation of the application are also often criticized.
Ubisoft officially shut down the online service function of the app in 2019, which means that all functions that rely on network connections, such as real-time map synchronization, community data, online tasks, etc., no longer work. Since then, the app has completely become an offline version of a simple map viewer, and its core value no longer exists.
Free collection activities and current status
In April 2019, Ubisoft gave away the PC version of "Assassin's Creed: Unity" for free on the Uplay platform for a limited time in commemoration of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire rescue. This move led to an influx of new players. However, they soon discovered that the legendary supporting application was no longer in name, and this giveaway was more like a sentimental marketing for the game itself.
Today, this app is still available for download in some app stores, but the actual use value of the remaining offline functions is relatively limited. For new players, it is more recommended to use online strategy maps or wiki websites produced by community players. These resources far exceed this legacy application that has been officially abandoned in terms of accuracy and convenience.
Reflections on the secondary screen experience
The related supporting applications of "The Great Revolution" are part of the game industry's costly trial and error behavior for the "second screen" experience. It shows the fundamental problems faced by this type of design: stability, user stickiness, and long-term operating costs. Once an add-on application cannot provide stable and unique value, it will be easily abandoned by players.
Taking a broader perspective, the failure of this application serves as a reminder to manufacturers that complex cross-platform linkage requires solid technical support and ongoing maintenance commitments. It is just a conceptual innovation. If there is no smooth user experience as the foundation, it will ultimately cause damage to the reputation of the game itself and become an embarrassing historical footnote.
What are your views on mobile game auxiliary applications that need to be linked with the host? Is it an innovative move that once amazed you, or do you think most of it is just a superficial and flashy gimmick? Hurry up and share your personal opinions and related experiences in the comment area. If you find this article helpful, please give it a like and support it.
