Ubisoft Announces Changes to Assassin's Creed Shadows and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Ubisoft has made several announcements impacting the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows and the future of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
Assassin's Creed Shadows:
The early access release for Assassin's Creed Shadows, previously offered with the Collector's Edition, has been canceled. This follows a delay of the game's official launch to February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Ubisoft cited issues with historical accuracy and cultural representation as contributing factors to both the delay and the cancellation of early access.
Furthermore, Ubisoft has dropped plans for a season pass and reduced the price of the Collector's Edition from $280 to $230. The Collector's 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.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown:
Ubisoft Montpellier has disbanded the development team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Despite positive critical reception, the decision was reportedly made due to the game not meeting sales expectations.
Abdelhak Elguess, senior producer, stated that the team is "extremely proud" of their work and that the game's post-launch roadmap is complete, including three free content updates and a DLC released in September. Future plans include a Mac release "by this winter" and a commitment to bringing more Prince of Persia experiences to players. Team members have transitioned to other projects within Ubisoft.
These announcements highlight the challenges Ubisoft is currently facing in the gaming market. While Assassin's Creed Shadows is still slated for release, the changes reflect a shift in strategy and a focus on refining the game experience. The dissolution of the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown team underscores the pressure on developers to deliver commercially successful titles.
