Ubisoft's AC Shadows Devs Spill the Digital Beans: What's Next for Assassin's Creed's Animus-Hopping Future?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
The *Assassin's Creed Shadows* developers have been dishing on the future of the series in a Reddit AMA, confirming that classic plotlines like the Assassins vs. Templars conflict and even the contentious modern-day storyline aren't going anywhere, though they might be delivered in 'new' ways. They also hinted at the return of social stealth and dynamic seasons, all while celebrating *Shadows*' strong launch and ongoing support.
Right, so you know that feeling when you've been adventuring through history, maybe assassinating a few problematic figures, and then suddenly you're yanked back to the present day to stare at a glowing Animus screen? Yeah, that feeling. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster for *Assassin's Creed* fans, hasn't it? For years, we’ve been wondering if Ubisoft was going to quietly jettison the whole modern-day saga into a digital black hole, or if the classic Assassins versus Templars beef was slowly morphing into something... else.
Well, pull up a chair, mate, because the folks behind *Assassin's Creed Shadows* recently threw open the digital gates, spilling some intriguing thoughts on the franchise's trajectory. According to a piece by Gabriel Machado Pureza over at Game Rant, the developers have been chatting on a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) thread, giving us a peek behind the Animus curtain about what's cooking for *Shadows* and beyond.
First off, let's talk about *Assassin's Creed Shadows* itself. Ubisoft's calling it the series' second-biggest launch, trailing only *Assassin's Creed Valhalla*. Now, fair dinkum, that sounds pretty good, doesn't it? They've also clocked over five million players recently, which includes those lovely folks subscribing to Ubisoft+ services. Always a good sign when a game pulls in big numbers, though I'm always a curious cat when they bundle in subscription services with 'players' – makes you wonder about the pure retail sales figures, doesn't it? Still, five million people diving into feudal Japan is nothing to sneeze at. It tells me that despite the occasional grumbles from the community, the *AC* magic clearly hasn't faded for everyone.
But the real juicy bits came from the AMA, where level designer Luc Plante dropped some truth bombs about those long-standing *AC* debates. Remember the Assassins vs. Templars conflict? The very DNA of the series, some would say. In *Shadows*, it's been a bit... subtle. Plante explained that the team wanted to first establish our new protagonists – Naoe and Yasuke – in their historical setting before fully expanding on that age-old struggle. Which, honestly, makes a bit of sense. You can't just throw everything at the player at once; it's like trying to cast three powerful spells simultaneously without knowing the incantations for any of them. But fear not, history buffs: the conflict apparently got a surface-level mention in a recent *Critical Role* episode (because of course it did), and the devs promise a deeper dive into the conflict 'in the near future.' Plus, *Shadows* is slated for more story updates, so we can expect that narrative thread to get a proper untangling.
Now, for the big one, the elephant in the Animus room: the modern-day storyline. Oh, the debates this has sparked! Some love it, some want to delete it from existence. Plante addressed this head-on, saying that *AC Shadows* is 'putting in place the first stone of new means to deliver the Modern Day storyline with the Animus HUB.'
Hold on a minute. 'First stone of new means'? 'Animus HUB'? My brain is doing somersaults trying to decode that particular flavour of corporate speak. Is it a fancy new menu? A more interactive modern-day base? Or just a new name for the same old 'stare at a computer screen' setup? Ubisoft's apparently 'eager to hear player feedback,' which, let's be honest, could mean anything from 'we're genuinely listening' to 'we're throwing it out there to see what sticks.' While the modern day might not be the central focus of *Shadows* right now, the implication is that it could expand down the line, either through updates or future entries. It’s that cautious optimism again, isn't it? I want to believe they’re cooking up something genuinely innovative that ties the past and present together seamlessly, rather than just shoehorning in a new buzzword.
The AMA also tossed out a few other delightful crumbs. Social stealth, that glorious mechanic that let you blend into crowds like a true phantom, *could* return to the franchise in the future. Bloody hell, yes please! That's music to my ears, especially after a few entries where it felt like hiding in plain sight was less of an option and more of a forgotten art. And get this: some future games might even use *Assassin's Creed Shadows*' changing seasons, which is a neat little mechanic that could add some serious atmosphere and strategic depth. Imagine your stealth approach changing drastically from a snowy winter landscape to a lush summer forest. That’s the kind of subtle environmental magic I can get behind.
In the meantime, while we speculate about these future revelations, Ubisoft hasn't just been twiddling their thumbs. *Shadows* recently got a 1.0.7 update, bringing in a highly anticipated New Game+ mode (because who doesn't love replaying a good story with all their overpowered gear?), bumping the level cap from 60 to 80, and sorting out various balance tweaks and bugs. It's always good to see developers actively supporting their titles post-launch with actual, tangible content rather than just vague promises.
So, what does this all mean for *Assassin's Creed*? It seems Ubisoft isn't quite ready to toss out the classic ingredients – the Assassins vs. Templars, the modern-day mystery – but they are looking to perhaps, shall we say, *repackage* them. There's a cautious flicker of hope that they're listening to player feedback, especially regarding beloved mechanics like social stealth. But as always, my wizard's eye remains gently skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true, especially when wrapped in layers of 'new means' and 'first stones.' Still, there’s enough here to suggest the *AC* saga isn’t just limping along; it’s still got some surprises up its sleeve. Let’s just hope those surprises are more 'epic new spell' and less 'accidental portal to the laundry dimension.'
Tags: Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft, Gaming News, Game Development, RPG
Original article: Game Rant