Exciting news for fans of Assassin’s Creed: Ubisoft has officially announced the arrival of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Nintendo Switch 2. Set for release on December 2, this anticipated title will be available for $59.99 / £49.99.
The Switch 2 edition promises to enhance the gaming experience with all the content updates released to date, alongside features like cross-platform progression and touch screen support for seamless menu navigation.
Nintendo Switch 2 and the Game-Key Card Debate
Ubisoft reveals that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will utilize a Game-Key Card, which means players must download the game online before playing. This has been a controversial choice, sparking debates as the Game-Key Cards require internet connectivity and are unusable offline.
In previous discussions, a developer from Ubisoft defended the use of these cards, citing the Nintendo Switch 2’s data speed and cartridge reading capabilities as the reason. Similarly, Naoki Hamaguchi of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy shared that Game-Key Cards offer a performance benefit, enabling smoother gameplay on the Switch 2. Meanwhile, Nintendo has been surveying users for feedback on their acceptance of digital and physical game formats.
Exploring Feudal Japan with Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Set in the vibrant world of Feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers players the choice between playing as a Shinobi or a Samurai. The game invites exploration of diverse settings, from majestic castle towns to serene shrines. The game has garnered positive reviews, with praise highlighting its refined systems and immersive open-world design as it achieved an impressive 8/10 rating.
Leadership Changes at Ubisoft
This week also brought unexpected news as Marc-Alexis Côté, the lead of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, announced his departure from Ubisoft after over two decades. Côté clarified that this decision was not voluntary. Ubisoft’s major brand, Assassin’s Creed, has recently transitioned to Vantage Studios, a subsidiary supported by Tencent’s 25% investment, which will also manage the Far Cry and Rainbow Six series.