Ubisoft Scraps Assassin's Creed Shadows Early Access, Shuffles Development Teams
Ubisoft's recent struggles with game releases have led to significant changes, including the cancellation of the planned early access for Assassin's Creed Shadows and the disbanding of the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown development team.
Assassin's Creed Shadows: No More Early Access
Ubisoft announced via a Discord Q&A that early access for Assassin's Creed Shadows, previously offered with the Collector's Edition, is canceled. This follows the game's delay 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, still including the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and other promised items. Rumors persist about a potential co-op mode featuring Naoe and Yasuke, but this remains unconfirmed.
Insider Gaming reports that the early access cancellation stems from challenges ensuring historical accuracy and cultural representation, contributing to the release date delay alongside the need for further polish.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Team Dissolved
Ubisoft Montpellier's Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown team has been dissolved, despite positive critical reception. French outlet Origami reports that this decision, while unexpected given the game's acclaim, is attributed to disappointing sales figures, reflecting Ubisoft's overall challenging year.
Abdelhak Elguess, senior producer, stated to IGN that the team is proud of their work and confident in the game's long-term success. The post-launch roadmap is complete, with three free updates and a DLC released in September. Future plans include expanding the game's availability to more platforms, including a Mac release this winter. Team members have transitioned to other projects within Ubisoft. The company affirms its commitment to the Prince of Persia franchise, hinting at future installments.
