Ubisoft has announced a significant shift in the release schedule for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, with the highly anticipated title now set to launch on February 14, 2025. This delay moves the game’s release from its originally planned date of November 15, 2024. The decision comes amid financial adjustments following the underperformance of another major Ubisoft title, Star Wars Outlaws.
In an official statement, Ubisoft elaborated on their decision to delay the game, detailing that despite Assassin’s Creed Shadows being “feature complete,” the development team has elected to use additional time to enhance and polish the game. This change of plans has been influenced by learnings from the recent release of Star Wars Outlaws, which did not perform up to expectations and affected Ubisoft’s financial projections for the ongoing quarter.
“Our goal is to deliver a top-tier gaming experience,” the statement read. “The extra time will allow us to ensure that Assassin’s Creed Shadows meets the high standards our fans expect and deserve.”
Ubisoft is keen to emphasize the depth and unique elements that the new Assassin’s Creed installment promises to bring to players. One of the standout features of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is its dual protagonist system, spotlighting characters Naoe and Yasuke. Each character is designed to offer distinct gameplay styles that diversify player experience, a feature that Ubisoft assures will be thoroughly refined during this extended development period.
Set in a mesmerizing historical Japanese setting, Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to blend deep narrative elements with engaging gameplay mechanics. By giving significant attention to the cultural and historical context, the game is expected to offer players an immersive and enriching journey.
Interestingly, this delay aligns closely with PlayStation’s recent announcement of Ghost of Yōtei, the highly awaited sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. Both games share a similar historical setting, and Ubisoft’s decision to push back the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows appears strategic, aiming to occupy a less crowded window.
. This move is likely to prevent the two titles from clashing directly, giving each game a better opportunity to capture player interest without immediate competition from the other.
Ubisoft also revealed a notable shift in their release strategy with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The company confirmed that the game will be available on Steam from day one, in contrast to their previous launch approaches which often bypassed the platform initially. This change highlights Ubisoft’s commitment to broadening availability and accessibility, catering to a broader range of PC gamers from the outset.
In another departure from their traditional model, Ubisoft will break away from their classic Season Pass strategy for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Instead, they announced that the first expansion of the game will be offered for free to those who preorder, marking a new direction in their content distribution approach. This tactic is likely intended to incentivize early purchases and foster a loyal player base right from the initial launch.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft is actively working to boost engagement for Star Wars Outlaws. Despite its lackluster debut in August, plans are in place to release a series of updates aimed at revitalizing player interest. These updates are scheduled to roll out ahead of the game’s Steam launch on November 21, a critical time as the holiday season approaches. Ubisoft’s aim with these updates is to enhance the gaming experience and encourage increased player retention and activity.
The additional time taken for Assassin’s Creed Shadows will hopefully allow the development team to leverage insights from Star Wars Outlaws, ensuring the new Assassin’s Creed entry stands out for its quality and innovation. As February 14, 2025, approaches, fans of the franchise can look forward to what promises to be a richly developed and highly polished addition to the Assassin’s Creed series.
Published – September 26, 2024, 01:00 pm IST
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