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

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 confirmed 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 release date postponement to February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Further adjustments include the price reduction of the Collector's Edition from $280 to $230, while still including the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and other promised items. Season passes have also been scrapped. Unconfirmed rumors suggest Ubisoft Quebec is exploring a co-op mode featuring both antagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, but this remains unverified.

Insider Gaming reports that the early access cancellation stems from challenges ensuring historical accuracy and cultural representation, factors also contributing to the release date delay and the need for further polish.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Team Dissolved

The team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown at Ubisoft Montpellier has been dissolved, despite positive critical reception. French outlet Origami attributes this decision to disappointing sales, although specific figures haven't been released. Ubisoft previously expressed dissatisfaction with the game's performance.

In a statement to IGN, senior producer Abdelhak Elguess emphasized the team's pride in their work and expressed confidence in the game's long-term success. He confirmed the completion of the post-launch roadmap, including DLC and free updates, and highlighted plans to expand the game's reach to new platforms, including a Mac release this winter. Team members have transitioned to other projects within Ubisoft. The company remains committed to future Prince of Persia projects.