Assassin's Creed Shadows Early Access Cancelled Amongst Other Moves at Ubisoft

Ubisoft Announces Changes to Assassin's Creed Shadows and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Ubisoft has made several significant announcements impacting the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows and the future of its Prince of Persia franchise. The early access period for Assassin's Creed Shadows, previously promised to Collector's Edition purchasers, has been canceled.

Assassin's Creed Shadows: No Early Access, Price Reduction

The decision to cancel early access follows a delay of the game's launch to February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Ubisoft cited concerns regarding historical accuracy and cultural representation, along with the need for further polish, as reasons for both the delay and the cancellation of early access. Additionally, the company announced a price reduction for the Collector's Edition, dropping from $280 to $230. The Collector's Edition will still include the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and other previously announced items. Rumors persist of a potential co-op mode featuring Naoe and Yasuke, but this remains unconfirmed.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Development Team Dissolved

In a more surprising move, Ubisoft has disbanded the development team at Ubisoft Montpellier responsible for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Despite positive critical reception, the decision was reportedly made due to the game failing to meet sales expectations. While specific sales figures haven't been released, Ubisoft has acknowledged disappointment with the game's performance.

Senior producer Abdelhak Elguess stated that the team is proud of their work and confident in the game's long-term success. He confirmed the completion of the post-launch content roadmap, including three free updates and a DLC released in September. The team is now focused on expanding the game's reach to new platforms, with a Mac release expected this winter. Ubisoft remains committed to the Prince of Persia franchise, promising future installments.