Ubisoft Cancels 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' Early Access, Enacts Changes

Ubisoft Makes Major Changes: Assassin's Creed Shadows Early Access Cancelled, Prince of Persia Team Dissolved

Ubisoft's ongoing struggles with game releases have led to significant changes. The early access release for Assassin's Creed Shadows, previously promised to Collector's Edition owners, has been cancelled. Furthermore, the development team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has been disbanded.

Assassin's Creed Shadows: No Early Access, Price Drop for Collector's Edition

Ubisoft confirmed the cancellation of Assassin's Creed Shadows' early access via a Discord Q&A. This follows the game's delay to February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The decision, according to Insider Gaming, stems from challenges in ensuring historical accuracy and cultural representation. This, along with the need for further polishing, contributed to the release date postponement.

To compensate, Ubisoft reduced the price of the Assassin's Creed Shadows Collector's Edition from $280 to $230. The edition still includes the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and other previously announced items. Unconfirmed reports suggest Ubisoft Quebec is exploring a co-op mode featuring both antagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, but this remains unverified. Season passes for the game have also been scrapped.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Team Disbanded Despite Positive Reception

The team at Ubisoft Montpellier responsible for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has been dissolved. French outlet Origami reports that this decision, despite positive reviews, is due to the game failing to meet Ubisoft's sales expectations. While specific sales figures haven't been released, Ubisoft has acknowledged disappointment with the game's performance.

In a statement to IGN, senior producer Abdelhak Elguess expressed pride in the team's work and confidence in the game's long-term success. He confirmed the completion of the post-launch roadmap, including free content updates and a DLC released in September. The team is now focusing on expanding the game's reach to new platforms, with a Mac release anticipated this winter. Elguess also stated that most team members have transitioned to other projects within Ubisoft. Ubisoft remains committed to future Prince of Persia projects.