Ubisoft Cancels Assassin's Creed Shadows Early Access

As Ubisoft grapples with difficulties surrounding its game releases, it has confirmed that AC Shadows will not launch in early access as intended. Furthermore, the team developing PoP: The Lost Crown has allegedly been disbanded owing to disappointing sales figures.

Ubisoft Scraps Assassin's Creed Shadows Early Access LaunchAssassin's Creed Shadows Collector's Edition Price Reduced

As declared by Ubisoft via a Discord Q&A, Assassin's Creed Shadows' early access launch has been entirely scrapped. Previously, early access was provided to purchasers of the Assassin's Creed Shadows Collector's Edition, but due to recent developments, the game will not be available before its official release date.

This confirmation follows the announcement of Assassin's Creed Shadows' release date postponement to February 14, 2025. The game will debut next year on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Besides the cancellation of early access, Ubisoft also confirmed the elimination of season passes and a price reduction for the Assassin's Creed Shadows Collector's Edition from $280 to $230. For those still interested, the collector's edition will include the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and other advertised items. Furthermore, reports suggest developer Ubisoft Quebec plans to incorporate a co-op mode into Assassin's Creed Shadows enabling two players to utilize both antagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, concurrently. However, this remains unconfirmed.

According to Insider Gaming, Ubisoft canceled early access due to "challenges Ubisoft has faced regarding historical accuracy and cultural representation." This also contributed to the game's release date shift to February of next year, along with Ubisoft Quebec needing additional time for polishing, per the news outlet.

Ubisoft Dismantles Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Development TeamPrince of Persia: The Lost Crown Sales Cited as Primary Factor

Ubisoft has dissolved the team that developed this year's lauded action-platformer offshoot Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. The game's developers were a group working under the company's Ubisoft Montpellier division. According to a report from French news outlet Origami, the company chose to disband the team, despite favorable reviews for The Lost Crown, because of unmet sales targets. While the company hasn't revealed sales figures, it previously stated it was dissatisfied with the game's performance during a generally difficult year for Ubisoft.

In a statement to IGN, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown senior producer Abdelhak Elguess said they are "extremely proud of our team's work and dedication at Ubisoft Montpellier to create a game that connected with players and critics, and I am confident in its long-term success." He added, "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is now at the end of its post-launch plan with three free content updates and one DLC that launched in September."

Elguess said they are now concentrating on making Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown accessible to more players on various platforms. This game is anticipated to be available on Mac "by this winter." "Most team members who worked on Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown have transitioned to other projects that will benefit from their skills," he added. "We know players cherish this franchise and Ubisoft is thrilled to deliver more Prince of Persia experiences in the future."