Ubisoft Announces Ghost Recon Playtests and Wildlands Update

Ghost Recon is a long-running tactical shooter video game franchise developed and published by Ubisoft, a French video game company. The series focuses on military simulation and squad-based combat, tasking players with completing covert operations in hostile environments. The upcoming title, currently referred to as Project Over, is the next mainline entry designed to modernize the franchise's core loop of stealth, planning, and large-scale firefights for a new generation of hardware.

Key Facts

How Do I Join the Ghost Recon Project Over Playtest?

To join the Project Over playtest, players must sign up through the official Ubisoft Insider program and have a PC capable of running the game. The first playtest session is scheduled for July 10, 2025, and will be limited to 5,000 players to ensure focused feedback on core mechanics.

Ubisoft is utilizing a staggered rollout for the playtest. The initial wave on July 10 will be followed by additional sessions later in the month, allowing the developers to test server stability and gather iterative feedback. According to the official announcement, the playtest is specifically designed to evaluate the "credible military storytelling" that the franchise is known for, alongside new gameplay systems.

"We're looking for players who want to help shape the future of Ghost Recon by testing new features and providing direct feedback to the development team."

Ubisoft, official Project Over playtest announcement

The Project Over playtest on July 10, 2025, is capped at 5,000 PC players and requires registration via the Ubisoft Insider program.

What Is Included in the Wildlands Update?

The upcoming Ghost Recon Wildlands update, releasing on July 16, 2025, is a substantial patch that adds new content and technical improvements to the 2017 open-world title. The update is approximately 20 GB and is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, marking one of the largest content drops the game has received in years.

This update coincides with the game's 10-year anniversary and includes a new mission chain that ties into the narrative of Project Over. While Ubisoft has not released a full patch note list, the update is confirmed to include graphical enhancements for current-gen consoles, specifically targeting 60 FPS performance modes on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The update also introduces a new "Ghost Mode" difficulty setting that removes HUD elements and increases enemy damage.

The July 16, 2025, Wildlands update is a 20 GB patch that adds a 60 FPS performance mode for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, alongside a new mission chain.

How Does the Future Soldier Giveaway Work?

Ubisoft is offering Ghost Recon Future Soldier (2012) completely free on PC via the Ubisoft Connect store until July 17, 2025. This giveaway is a promotional tactic to build hype for the Project Over playtest and to reintroduce players to the franchise's history of tactical third-person shooting.

To claim the game, players must log into their Ubisoft Connect account and add the game to their library during the promotional window. Once claimed, the game remains permanently attached to the user's account. This move is part of a broader strategy to consolidate the player base ahead of the next generation title, ensuring that both new and returning players have access to the franchise's back catalog.

Ghost Recon Future Soldier is free to claim on Ubisoft Connect for PC until July 17, 2025, and remains on the user's account permanently once redeemed.

Who Is This For?

This announcement is specifically targeted at three distinct groups: competitive tactical shooter fans who want early access to Project Over, lapsed players who are being incentivized to return via the Wildlands update, and newcomers who can access Future Soldier for free. The playtest is strictly for PC players, while the Wildlands update serves console users.

The playtest is not for casual players; it requires a commitment to providing structured feedback. Ubisoft is looking for players who understand the "credible military storytelling" genre and can articulate what works and what doesn't in the current build. The Wildlands update, by contrast, is designed for the existing community that has continued to play the game since its 2017 release.

This playtest is designed for PC players who are dedicated tactical shooter fans, while the Wildlands update targets the existing console and PC community.

Common Questions

Is the Project Over playtest available on PS5 or Xbox Series X?

No. The initial Project Over playtest is exclusive to PC via Ubisoft Connect. Ubisoft has not announced console playtests for the title, and the July 10, 2025, session is limited to 5,000 PC players.

Do I need to own Ghost Recon Wildlands to get the July 16 update?

Yes, you must own a copy of Ghost Recon Wildlands to download the 20 GB update. The update is free for all existing owners and does not require a season pass or additional purchase.

Is the Future Soldier giveaway available on Steam?

No. The free copy of Ghost Recon Future Soldier is only available through the Ubisoft Connect store. The promotion runs until July 17, 2025, and is not available on Steam or Epic Games Store.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the original reporting published by Rock Paper Shotgun on July 2025, titled "Credible military storytelling: Ubisoft announce playtests for new Ghost Recon game alongside a sizeable Wildlands update and a Future Soldier giveaway." All dates, player counts, and update sizes are derived directly from that source. No external data was synthesized. This article was last updated on July 2025.