January 11, 2025, 8:45 am | Read time: 5 minutes

Ubisoft is postponing the launch date for “Assassins’s Creed Shadows” – again. The company also wants to review its business strategy. So, what should gaming fans expect?

Exploring the World of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”

Since its announcement in May 2024, Ubisoft has gradually unveiled new details about Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Notably, the game fulfills a long-expressed desire of the fanbase. The series is known for being set in historical scenarios. While the first part is set in the 12th century in Jerusalem, for example, the action of Rogue is set in North America in the 18th century. In Valhalla, you conquer some areas of England as a Viking in the 9th century, and in Syndicate, you roam London in the Victorian era.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows, on the other hand, is set in Japan in the 16th century. Fans have wanted this scenario for a long time. And Ubisoft has already introduced the game’s two protagonists: the shinobi assassin Naoe and the samurai Yasuke. For the first time in a decade since Syndicate, players can once again control two characters. Each character boasts a unique background and distinct playstyle.

Launch Postponement of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” Announced

Ubisoft, through X (previously known as Twitter) and additional channels, has stated the need for a few more weeks. The additional time will be used to incorporate fan feedback and guarantee a quality gaming experience from the outset.

Here you will find content from Twitter

To engage with or display content from social networks, we require your consent.

Activate

I consent to having external content from social networks shown to me. This may result in the transfer of personal data to third-party services. Further information can be found in the description of this data processing purpose and in the privacy policies of these third parties.

The explicit mention of player feedback in the statement comes as somewhat unexpected. Ubisoft is thus dealing openly with the sometimes considerable criticism from players. Among other things, this concerns the character of Yasuke, who is based on a real person, the “first black samurai.” However, on the one hand, the real character himself is controversial. On the other hand, many fans complained that the concept did not fit the game. Given the highly anticipated setting, many fans would have preferred two characters of Japanese descent.

Some of Ubisoft’s design decisions were also criticized. These included the sometimes incorrect, sometimes unauthorized use of some characters and coats of arms from Japanese history. Especially in Japan, the game has since been perceived as a political matter. This controversy also involves the unauthorized use of a banner in preliminary artwork.

The latest accusations, however, only indirectly concern Ubisoft. Instead, they are directed at Brandoville, the studio involved in the development of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This is not part of Ubisoft; instead, it is a kind of subcontractor that has taken on certain tasks in the development of the game. As the British investigative magazine People Make Games has now discovered, there was apparently both psychological and physical violence towards employees. Ubisoft vehemently distanced itself from Brandoville in a statement in response to an inquiry from Eurogamer. The studio clearly criticized the events mentioned in the report: “We are deeply disturbed by the recent reports about Brandoville Studios. We strongly condemn any form of abuse, and our thoughts are with the employees affected.”

More on the topic

Games fair in Cologne These were our highlights at Gamescom 2024

TECHBOOK explains The Internet Phenomenon of Review Bombing Explained

Video game highlight CD Projekt does not want to repeat mistakes! All the info on “The Witcher 4”

Ubisoft Responds to Player Feedback

It is not entirely clear which feedback Ubisoft is referring to in detail in its post on the postponement of the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. However, the company has already responded to many of the accusations and apologized in part for the use of the banner.

Additionally, the company had proactively addressed community criticism. For example, the originally planned Season Pass is not coming, after all. Ubisoft games are also available again on Steam, the most widely used gaming platform in the world, especially for PC gamers. In 2019, Ubisoft gradually removed its titles from Steam and instead preferred the Epic Games Store as part of an exclusive agreement. However, this move was met with disapproval from the gaming community. For some time now, Ubisoft games have once again been delayed on Steam. The simultaneous launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the platform is set to signify its definitive comeback.