Ubisoft's remaster of its 2013 pirate adventure, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, has launched to "Mixed" reviews on Steam, with much of the criticism directed at the inclusion of microtransactions and expensive downloadable content. The backlash matters because it reflects a broader player frustration with monetisation being built into full-price remakes of beloved older titles, prompting Ubisoft to publicly defend its approach.

In response to the complaints, Ubisoft has argued that the microtransactions are "never a requirement" to enjoy or complete the game, framing them as optional extras rather than essential purchases. Players have singled out an $80 DLC offering alongside the in-game store, feeding into the negative sentiment reflected in the game's Steam rating. The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between publishers seeking additional revenue streams and consumers who expect remasters to be complete, self-contained products.