Ever buy a really cool LEGO set, spend hours building it, and then… eventually, the box gets put away and you move on to the next build? That’s kind of what’s happening with *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* right now. Ubisoft, the company behind the game, is starting to wind down its active support for it. But don’t panic! It doesn’t mean the game is disappearing. Let me translate this for you – it means the big updates and expansions are mostly done, and the focus is shifting to what comes *next* in the Assassin’s Creed universe.
What's Happening with Shadows?
To be clear, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* isn’t being abandoned. Ubisoft is planning a small anniversary celebration later this month with a livestream and a competition. However, they’ve confirmed there won’t be another large expansion like the “Claws of Awaji” DLC we saw last fall. This is a bit different than how Ubisoft supported *Assassin’s Creed Valhalla*, which received a lot more post-launch content. Ubisoft is calling this the 'final phase of support,' meaning smaller, less frequent updates will continue, but the big additions are over.
I was confused the first time I heard this too. It’s disappointing for players who were hoping for a longer, more expansive experience with *Shadows*, especially given its unique setting and dual-protagonist system. The game features Yasuke, the Black samurai, and Naoe, a skilled shinobi, allowing players to switch between two very different combat styles and approaches to missions. This dual-protagonist mechanic is a core part of what made *Shadows* stand out.
Understanding Assassin's Creed Lore & Tech
Before we dive deeper, let’s quickly touch on some key Assassin’s Creed concepts. The core of the franchise revolves around the centuries-long conflict between the Assassins and the Templars. The **Animus** is a device that allows users to relive the memories of their ancestors – that’s how you, the player, experience these historical settings. Think of it like a super-advanced virtual reality machine. And then there's **Parkour**, the signature movement system that lets characters scale buildings and navigate environments with incredible agility. It’s a staple of the series, and *Shadows* really leaned into it with its Japanese setting.
What's Next for Assassin's Creed?
So, where is Ubisoft putting its energy now? The biggest project on the horizon is *Codename Hexe*. This new game is set in mainland Europe and will have a strong focus on witchcraft and the occult. It’s a pretty big departure from the historical settings we’ve seen in many previous *Assassin’s Creed* games. There’s been some behind-the-scenes shuffling with the development team, but Jean Guesdon, the head of content for Assassin’s Creed, is now directly overseeing the project. Ubisoft is being intentionally quiet about *Hexe* to ensure they deliver on their ambitious vision.
Beyond *Hexe*, Ubisoft is also working on *Codename Invictus*, a multiplayer-focused *Assassin’s Creed* game. This one is being developed by a team with experience from *For Honor*, another Ubisoft title known for its intricate combat. They’re taking a “test and learn” approach, meaning they’ll be gathering player feedback early and often to shape the game’s development. They’ve also hinted at exploring co-op gameplay in future *Assassin’s Creed* titles, though a previous co-op project tied to *Shadows* has been scrapped.
There are also a few other projects simmering on the back burner. *Assassin’s Creed Jade*, a mobile game set in Ancient China, has been in development for a while with little news. The *Assassin’s Creed* Netflix series is also progressing, with casting announcements suggesting we’ll see something concrete soon. And, of course, the long-rumored *Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag* remake is still expected to launch this year, with Ubisoft dropping playful hints about it.
Finally, Ubisoft announced a 60fps patch for *Assassin’s Creed Unity* on Xbox and PlayStation, which is a nice surprise for fans of that older title. It shows they haven’t forgotten about their entire back catalog.
