Ubisoft's Recent Decisions: 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. These moves follow a challenging period for the company’s game launches.
Assassin's Creed Shadows: Early Access Cancelled and Collector's Edition Price Drop
Ubisoft has cancelled the early access release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, originally planned for those who purchased the Collector's Edition. This decision, confirmed via a Discord Q&A, follows the game's release date postponement to February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Simultaneously, the price of the Collector's Edition has been reduced from $280 to $230. The reduced-price Collector's Edition will still include the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and other previously announced items. Rumors persist about a potential co-op mode featuring Naoe and Yasuke, but this remains unconfirmed.
According to Insider Gaming, the cancellation stems from challenges in maintaining 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 Development Team Dissolved
Ubisoft has disbanded the Ubisoft Montpellier team responsible for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. While the game received positive reviews, French publication Origami reports that the decision was made due to the title not meeting sales expectations. Though specific sales figures haven't been released, Ubisoft has acknowledged disappointment with the game's performance.
In a statement to IGN, senior producer Abdelhak Elguess expressed pride in the team's work and confidence in the game's long-term success. He confirmed that the post-launch content roadmap is complete, with three free updates and one DLC released in September. Future plans include bringing The Lost Crown to Mac this winter and re-assigning team members to other projects. Ubisoft remains committed to the Prince of Persia franchise, promising future installments.
