Ubisoft Scraps Assassin's Creed Shadows Early Access, Shuffles Development Teams
Ubisoft's recent struggles with game releases have led to several significant changes. The early access release for Assassin's Creed Shadows, initially planned for Collector's Edition purchasers, has been canceled. Furthermore, the team behind the well-received Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has been disbanded.
Assassin's Creed Shadows: No Early Access, Price Drop for Collector's Edition
Ubisoft confirmed the cancellation of Assassin's Creed Shadows' early access via a Discord Q&A. The decision follows a delay to the game's official launch date, now set for February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
In addition to canceling early access and delaying the release, Ubisoft has also dropped the price of the Assassin's Creed Shadows Collector's Edition from $280 to $230. The Collector's Edition will still include the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and other previously announced items. Rumors persist about a potential co-op mode featuring the game's antagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, but this remains unconfirmed. Insider Gaming reports suggest that concerns regarding historical accuracy and cultural representation contributed to both the early access cancellation and the release date postponement.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Team Dissolved
Ubisoft Montpellier's Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown development team has been dissolved, despite the game's positive critical reception. French outlet Origami reports that this decision stems from the game failing to meet Ubisoft's sales expectations. While specific sales figures haven't been released, Ubisoft has acknowledged disappointment with the game's performance.
Senior producer Abdelhak Elguess, in a statement to IGN, expressed pride in the team's work and confirmed the completion of the game's post-launch content roadmap. He highlighted the team's transition to new projects and Ubisoft's continued commitment to the Prince of Persia franchise. A Mac version of The Lost Crown is expected this winter.
