For precision and as posted in the Xbox Empire thread :
those are simply streaming rights, they don't give anyone the ability to give anyone users a license to the game. Ubisoft, nor any other provider will have the ability to include the titles in a subscription library, so all IPs will remain subject to BYOG model and would still have to be purchased through the Windows store, Xbox Store, Steam, or acquired through a GamePass subscription. So in the end what MS "sells" to Ubisoft is the right to create free Marketing for ABK/Xbox games LOL.
You also have to take into consideration that we don't even know if a market for cloud streaming right really can exist on its own. Geforce now is owned by a Trillion $ company and used the BYOG model since the start, they have the capacity, position, and incentive to acquire such rights, yet barely do (to my knowledge) resorting to taking titles down whenever challenged about the right infringement. So the best candidate for acquisition of such right does not do it at the moment so the value for Ubisoft is questionable. And in the eventuality the market develops for such a transaction, MS will still be the ones benefitting from this as they will sell every IP to Ubisoft at market price, which means if ever they are worth anything meaningful MS gonna get paid to an appropriate amount.
However, Ubisoft will benefit from a stronger relationship with MS, and (As pointed out by Ryuu) Ubisoft has sought to remain independent for years and has been hard-pressed to react in the past to retain their independence, so adding to their assets rights that will give any buyers a hard time with regulatory bodies might be a way to stave off aggressive buyout attempt.
Last edited by EpicRandy - on 22 August 2023
