Ubisoft Scraps 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' Early Access

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

Ubisoft has made several adjustments to its upcoming release schedule and team structures, impacting both Assassin's Creed Shadows and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Early Access Cancelled and Collector's Edition Price Reduced

Ubisoft has confirmed the cancellation of the early access period for Assassin's Creed Shadows, previously offered with the Collector's Edition. This decision, announced via a Discord Q&A, follows the game's delay to February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The delay, according to Insider Gaming, is attributed to challenges in maintaining historical accuracy and cultural representation, along with the need for additional polish.

To compensate for the cancelled early access, Ubisoft has lowered 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. 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 Development Team Dissolved

In a surprising move, Ubisoft has disbanded the Ubisoft Montpellier team responsible for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Despite positive critical reception, the decision, reported by Origami, stems from the game failing to meet sales expectations. While specific sales figures remain undisclosed, Ubisoft has acknowledged disappointment with the game's performance.

Abdelhak Elguess, senior producer of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, stated that the team is "extremely proud" of their work and that the game's post-launch roadmap is complete, including three free content 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. Elguess confirmed that most team members have transitioned to other projects within Ubisoft, and the company remains committed to future Prince of Persia titles.