Ubisoft is set to cut online support for several of its games, including Assassin's Creed Revelations, R.U.S.E., and Trials Evolution, starting January next year. Although the games will still be playable offline, the termination of online support will lead to the discontinuation of leaderboards, online multiplayer, and co-op features, among other online elements.

Impacted PC games, as announced by Ubisoft, include:
- Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (Mac)
- Assassin's Creed Revelations
- Ghost Recon Future Soldier
- Heroes of Might and Magic VI
- NCIS
- R.U.S.E
- Trials Evolution

In a statement, Ubisoft explained that shuttering such services for older games is not a decision made lightly but is necessitated by technological obsolescence. While maintaining servers for older games incurs costs, out-of-date online software can pose significant risks. Therefore, it seems the decision was reached based on an assessment that these games no longer have enough active players to warrant such an effort.

From a game preservation perspective, this news may be disappointing, particularly in cases like R.U.S.E., an innovative multiplayer strategy game, and Trials Evolution, a popular single-player game with exciting online leaderboards.

The decision to sunset several Assassin's Creed games comes just after the launch of the franchise's latest addition, Assassin's Creed Mirage. The game, set in the Middle East during the Islamic Golden Age, has received generally favorable reviews. Still, critics have taken issue with the uninspired characterization of the protagonist, Basim.

Meanwhile, rumors are swirling about a potential remake of another Assassin's Creed game, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. The game’s removal from Steam has added fuel to the fire of these speculations. As Ubisoft prepares to lay many of its older titles to rest, the gaming world keenly awaits confirmation of these rumors.

Notably, this is not the first time Ubisoft has terminated online services for their back catalog. Last year, similar steps were taken for several other Assassin's Creed games and Driver: San Francisco, though poor initial communication led to clarifications and a delay in the 'switch-off.'