Ubisoft Reflects on Starlink: Battle for Atlas and the Future of Toys-to-Life on Nintendo Switch

Ubisoft's Starlink: Battle for Atlas marked an ambitious entry into the toys-to-life genre, launching for the Nintendo Switch and other major platforms in October 2018.

Developed by Ubisoft Toronto, the game blended physical toy spaceships with deep space exploration gameplay, aiming to reinvigorate a genre popularized by franchises like Skylanders and Disney Infinity.

Despite innovative mechanics and the inclusion of exclusive Star Fox content on the Nintendo Switch version, Starlink: Battle for Atlas faced a difficult retail environment and underwhelming sales performance. During a recent interview with MCV, Alain Corre, Ubisoft’s Executive Director for EMEA, candidly discussed the publisher's expectations versus reality for the Starlink initiative.

Corre noted that Ubisoft had anticipated stronger results, stating that although the game did not meet sales targets, the experience gained during its development has greatly enhanced Ubisoft’s approach to creating family-friendly games.

He emphasized, “Our work on Starlink has provided valuable insights, especially regarding family audiences.

We always build upon what we’ve learned, and the experience from Starlink places us in a stronger position to design better products for similar consumers going forward.” Corre also highlighted the continued engagement from a dedicated fanbase, underlining that many players remain enthusiastic about the Starlink universe.

For Ubisoft, nurturing this community remains important, even as the company pivots away from the toys-to-life segment.

In April 2019, Ubisoft released a production update confirming that sales for Starlink: Battle for Atlas had not met expectations.

As a result, the publisher announced it would cease production of new physical toys for upcoming updates, though digital content and support would persist.

Ubisoft expressed gratitude for the passionate support shown by the Starlink community, reinforcing its commitment to delivering quality gaming experiences. Since its release, Starlink: Battle for Atlas has carved out a niche on the Nintendo Switch, bolstered by its unique integration of Star Fox characters and missions.

While full-scale expansion for the franchise appears unlikely in the near future, the lessons learned from its development have informed Ubisoft’s future projects, including upcoming family-oriented releases such as Gods & Monsters (now known as Immortals Fenyx Rising), created by the team behind Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and scheduled for launch on Nintendo Switch on February 25, 2020. Ubisoft’s journey with Starlink: Battle for Atlas illustrates the evolving landscape of toys-to-life gaming and the challenges faced by publishers in adapting to player preferences and market conditions.

While Starlink may not have achieved mainstream success, its innovative approach and dedicated following continue to influence Ubisoft’s evolving portfolio on the Nintendo Switch and beyond.

Ubisoft Starlink Battle for Atlas Nintendo Switch Alain Corre MCV