Summary
- Ubisoft has clarified that Assassin's Creed Shadows will be fully playable offline after some gamers got angry over its mistakenly listed always-online requirement.
- The game will still require an internet connection to install, the company said.
- Some fans have also been criticizing Assassin's Creed Shadows' pricing, which ranges from $79.99 to $129.99, depending on the edition.
Assassin's Creed Shadows already has some gamers angry over its online requirement and pricing. But part of that ongoing fan backlash appears to have been misguided, with Ubisoft already clarifying that Assassin's Creed Shadows will, in fact, be playable offline from start to finish.
Following years' worth of fan requests for an Assassin's Creed entry set in feudal Japan, Ubisoft at last greenlit such a game, confirming its existence on the 15th anniversary of the franchise in September 2022. Originally dubbed AC Codename Red, the project was given the official title of Assassin's Creed Shadows on May 14, followed by a cinematic reveal trailer a day later. Its pre-orders went live immediately afterward, which is when some fans noticed that its PlayStation Store page lists it as an "online play required" game.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Won't Have an Always-Online Requirement
This observation prompted an immediate backlash from a vocal section of the fandom pushing back against the notion of an always-online requirement in a single-player game. Ubisoft responded to the criticism a day later, taking to social media on May 16 to clarify that Assassin's Creed Shadows will be entirely playable offline. The internet requirement mentioned on its PS Store page was meant to state that the game will need an online connection during installation, which has long been a standard industry practice. The mention of this inaccurate requirement was removed from the PS Store listing as of this writing, with the page now clearly labeling online play as "optional."
Some Fans Are Unhappy With Assassin's Creed Shadows Pricing
At the same time, some fans have also been complaining about the game's pricing, with DualShockers reporting that the $109.99 Gold Edition and $129.99 Ultimate Edition of the upcoming action RPG are currently the subject of some online criticism. The base game will be priced at $79.99, with the overall three-tier structure being similar to that of Ubisoft's other contemporary titles. The pricing complaints about this particular game have possibly been exacerbated by a recent report from industry insider Tom Henderson, who claimed that Assassin's Creed Shadows will also feature several battle passes. Called "Projects" in the game's jargon, the purported battle passes will supposedly have 20 levels each and allow players to unlock certain cosmetics.
Henderson said Ubisoft is currently planning to feature three such battle passes. All of them will reportedly be offered via Assassin's Creed Infinity, an upcoming interactive hub pitched as a singular entry point into the popular franchise. It is presently unclear whether Infinity will be out by the time Assassin's Creed Shadows launches on November 15, or if it's planned to debut at a later date.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Released
- November 15, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Franchise
- Assassin's Creed
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Amazon Luna
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, RPG
