Ubisoft Explained Why We Had to Wait So Long for Assassin's Creed Game Set in Japan

As a long-time fan of the Assassin’s Creed series, I must say I am genuinely thrilled about the upcoming Shadows installment, set to release in 2024. Having been in the gaming community for quite some time now, I can vouch that four years is indeed an impressive development period for any game, especially one as iconic as Assassin’s Creed. The fact that it surpasses Valhalla by a substantial 25% is truly mind-boggling!


As a dedicated gamer with over two decades of immersion in the Assassin’s Creed universe, I am genuinely intrigued by the upcoming installment, Shadows, especially since it takes place in Japan. The anticipation among the gaming community is palpable, and as someone who has been following this series since its inception, I find myself eager to uncover more about this new chapter. In an exclusive interview with GamesIndustry, the game’s lead producer, Karl Onnee, shed light on why this long-awaited Japanese adventure could only be realized now. From my perspective, it’s fascinating to see how the team has managed to strike a delicate balance between staying true to the series’ roots while embracing fresh perspectives and innovations. I can’t wait to delve deeper into the intricacies of the game’s development and unravel the secrets that lie ahead in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

The lead producer states that it took 4 years to develop “AC: Shadows,” a duration he feels was ideal for striking the right balance between the initial idea and actual production. Notably, this game stands as the longest-developed title within the “Assassin’s Creed” series, outlasting Valhalla by a substantial 25% in terms of development period.

As a game developer, striking the perfect equilibrium between time and resources is an ongoing challenge. In my experience, a span of about four years seems just right for taking a concept from its initial stages through to production, allowing for crucial player feedback that shapes the final product.

As an avid fan, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the release of “Assassin” in Japan, and I believe the delay can be attributed to some technical hurdles. However, with a new engine developed specifically for the series now at hand, and the hardware becoming more efficient, I’m confident that the developers can finally bring their vision to life for us players.

We’ve long desired to execute something [AC in Japan], yet we were searching for the optimal moment. Now, with the necessary hardware at our disposal and our updated engine, we can truly actualize our vision. It was crucial for us to incorporate aspects such as realistic lighting and shadows, which are resource-intensive, as well as dynamic weather conditions.

During another part of our chat, Onnee shares the story of how the project for “AC: Shadows” started. He mentions that it originated from internal meetings, which later evolved into conversations with historians and specialists. Subsequently, the Ubisoft team traveled to Japan to scout the places where the game’s events would unfold.

The French company openly aims to expand the fanbase of Assassin’s Creed, particularly among Japanese gamers. However, this can be challenging since not many Western action games have been successful in Japan. One notable exception is Ghost of Tsushima, which sold more than a million copies in Japan from the American studio Sucker Punch Productions.

After discussing the game Sucker Punch, it’s relevant to note that its main character, Jin Sakai, utilized a grappling hook. Similarly, Naoe, one of the two playable characters in AC: Shadows, will also have access to this tool. Ubisoft has recently demonstrated how Naoe’s abilities with this item function in practice through their latest materials.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t contain my excitement as I eagerly await the release of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows” on November 15, 2024! This epic adventure will be available to play on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, making it accessible for fans like me across multiple platforms. I can hardly wait!

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2024-08-13 13:32