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 company confirmed the cancellation of early access for Assassin's Creed Shadows, originally planned for those who purchased the Collector's Edition.
Assassin's Creed Shadows: No Early Access, Price Reduction
The early access program for Assassin's Creed Shadows has been scrapped, meaning the game will now launch on February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with no prior access. This decision, according to Insider Gaming, stems from challenges ensuring historical accuracy and cultural representation. The delay to February 2025 also allows Ubisoft Quebec additional time for polishing. Furthermore, the Collector's Edition price has been reduced from $280 to $230, while still including the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and other 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 Team Disbanded
In a more surprising move, Ubisoft has dissolved the development team at Ubisoft Montpellier responsible for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Despite positive critical reception, the game reportedly failed to meet Ubisoft's sales expectations, leading to this decision. French publication Origami first reported the news.
While acknowledging the team's hard work and the game's critical acclaim, senior producer Abdelhak Elguess stated that the team is now focused on future projects. He confirmed that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown's post-launch content roadmap is complete, with three free updates and one DLC already released. Future plans include a Mac release "this winter" and a commitment to exploring further Prince of Persia experiences. The team members have transitioned to new projects within Ubisoft.
