Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the upcoming installment in Ubisoft’s popular historical action-adventure series. Unlike its predecessors, Shadows will be set in Japan and will feature two protagonists, a decision that has sparked some controversy among fans. Developed by Ubisoft Quebec, the same studio behind Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Syndicate, Shadows has been in the works since 2020 and is set to release in November, making it the longest development cycle in the franchise’s history.
Lead producer Karl Onnée shed some light on the development process in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, emphasizing the importance of time and iteration in game development. According to Onnée, the extended four-year development cycle for Shadows allowed the team to focus on iteration, gathering feedback, and improving the game over time. By taking the lessons learned from previous titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which focused on stealth gameplay, the team was able to build upon existing ideas and create a more refined experience for players.
Onnée highlighted the collaboration between different teams working on various Assassin’s Creed titles, emphasizing the importance of sharing ideas and avoiding duplication of work. By leveraging a unified tech pipeline, known as the Anvil pipeline, Ubisoft ensures that new features and improvements are shared across all projects, leading to a more cohesive and efficient development process.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on November 15 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, offering players a fresh take on the beloved franchise. With a renewed focus on stealth gameplay and a new setting in Japan, Shadows promises to deliver an immersive and engaging experience for fans of the series. Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches, and prepare to embark on a new adventure in the world of Assassin’s Creed.