Assassin's Creed Shadows Loses Early Access as Ubisoft Implements Changes
Ubisoft has officially canceled the early access release for Assassin's Creed Shadows while making other strategic adjustments. The company also reportedly disbanded the development team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown due to disappointing sales performance.
Ubisoft Adjusts Assassin's Creed Shadows Release Strategy
During a recent Discord Q&A session, Ubisoft confirmed the complete cancellation of early access for Assassin's Creed Shadows. The feature was previously exclusive to Collector's Edition purchasers but will no longer be available before the game's official launch window.
This decision follows the announcement of the game's delayed release date to February 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S platforms.
Along with removing early access, Ubisoft has eliminated season passes and reduced the Collector's Edition price from $280 to $230. The premium package will still include the artbook, steelbook, figurine, and originally promised extras. Rumors suggest Ubisoft Quebec may be developing a cooperative mode featuring dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke, though this remains unconfirmed.
According to Insider Gaming, the early access cancellation stems from challenges maintaining historical accuracy and cultural representation, which also contributed to the release postponement. The extra development time will allow Ubisoft Quebec to further refine the gameplay experience.
Prince of Persia Team Restructured After Commercial Disappointment
Ubisoft has restructured the acclaimed Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown development team from Ubisoft Montpellier. French outlet Origami reports the decision followed commercial underperformance, despite critical praise for the action-platformer.
Senior producer Abdelhak Elguess told IGN: "We're extremely proud of our team's work at Ubisoft Montpellier in creating a game that resonated with players and critics. We remain confident in its long-term success."
The team has completed its post-launch support following three free updates and a September DLC release. Most developers have transitioned to other projects while Ubisoft prepares to bring the game to additional platforms, including a planned Mac version this winter.
Elguess concluded: "We recognize players' passion for the franchise and look forward to delivering more Prince of Persia experiences in the future."
