Ubisoft Scraps 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' Early Access

Ubisoft's Recent Decisions: Assassin's Creed Shadows and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Ubisoft has made several significant announcements impacting its upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows and the recently released Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. These changes follow a year of challenges for the company's game releases.

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Early Access Cancelled, Collector's Edition Price Reduced

Ubisoft has canceled the early access release for Assassin's Creed Shadows, originally planned for those who purchased the Collector's Edition. This decision, revealed during a Discord Q&A, comes alongside a delay of the game's official launch to February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The Collector's Edition price has also been reduced from $280 to $230. The revised edition will still include the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and other previously announced items. Unconfirmed reports suggest Ubisoft Quebec is exploring the addition of a co-op mode featuring both antagonists, Naoe and Yasuke.

Insider Gaming reports that the early access cancellation stems from challenges in ensuring historical accuracy and cultural representation, contributing to the overall release date postponement. Further, Ubisoft has confirmed that there will be no season pass for Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Development Team Dissolved

In a surprising move, Ubisoft has disbanded the Ubisoft Montpellier team responsible for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. French media outlet Origami reports that this decision, despite the game's positive reception, is due to the title failing to meet sales expectations. While Ubisoft hasn't released specific sales figures, they've acknowledged disappointment with the game's performance.

Abdelhak Elguess, senior producer for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, stated that the team is "extremely proud" of their work and that the game's post-launch roadmap is complete, including three free updates and a DLC released in September. He confirmed that the team has transitioned to other projects within Ubisoft, and the company remains committed to future Prince of Persia titles. A Mac version of the game is anticipated this winter.