Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced launched to critical acclaim and record-breaking Steam player counts, but the game's aggressive day-one monetization has ignited a firestorm on the platform's store page. The $60 title carries $85 worth of optional cosmetic packs, a collection that has prompted Ubisoft to publicly reassure players that none of it is required to finish the campaign.
The DLC lineup includes nine cosmetic packs priced at $10 each, featuring alternative costumes for protagonist Edward Kenway or new visual skins for his ship, the Jackdaw. A separate $5 map pack reveals collectible locations without requiring players to hunt them down manually. Critics argue the sheer volume and upfront pricing create a predatory experience, especially for those who purchased the deluxe edition expecting a more complete package.
"Releasing a 70 euro game and on the DAY of the release you slap us with 85 euros worth of DLC packs," one Steam reviewer wrote. "This is why piracy exist and I will be refunding." Another described buying the deluxe version while thinking they were purchasing the full game, only to see more than 75 pounds worth of additional content immediately available.
Ubisoft responded with a statement emphasizing that the standard edition includes the complete story, all missions, every island, and the full world map. "The additional packs are entirely optional extras for players who want them, never a requirement to enjoy or complete the game," a community spokesperson said on Steam.
Despite the monetization backlash, Resynced has performed exceptionally well commercially. The game shattered the franchise's Steam concurrent player record with approximately 100,000 players at peak hours, surpassing Assassin's Creed Shadows by more than a third. Critics have praised the remake for modernizing a classic, with IGN awarding it a 9 out of 10. The overhaul removes the original's multiplayer and modern-day storylines but compensates with new Caribbean missions and story scenes alongside significant visual improvements.
Author Emily Chen: "Ubisoft knows players love Black Flag enough to tolerate the DLC gauntlet, and the player numbers prove it, but the $85 tag wall on day one is the kind of move that turns goodwill into resentment fast."
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