EDITOR UPDATE: Since this article was published, Ubisoft has clarified the point in a tweet here.
Assassin’s Creed Red, now Assassin’s Creed Shadows, was first announced at Ubisoft Forward in 2022, and after two years, the publisher has finally unveiled the game. Assassin’s Creed Shadows will take the franchise to feudal-era Japan and will feature two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke.
Ubisoft released the cinematic world trailer for the game, revealing that it launches on November 15, 2024, and fans are excited to get their hands on the game. However, the game may land in a controversy like Helldivers 2 Steam after one detail has been spotted by fans, and they aren’t happy.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Could Land in a Mess Due to This Requirement
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the most highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed titles, as fans have always wanted the series to visit feudal Japan, and it is finally happening. However, the game could see a Helldivers 2-like controversy, which was caused by the Steam-PSN account linking requirement, as fans have noticed a similar requirement in Shadows.
Soon after the announcement of the release date, the pre-orders for the game went live, and fans have spotted that, as per the PSN, the game requires “online play,” meaning that players will be required to have a constant internet connection to be able to play the game, and that has upset the gaming community.
Assassin’s Greed
— TheStebe (@The_Stebe) May 15, 2024
There have also been reports that players purchasing the physical edition of the game will need to connect to the internet to install the game. It cannot be said exactly how this will affect the game, but many think players will need to stay connected to the internet to boot up the game.
Although fans are unhappy with this mandate, this isn’t shocking, as this was also the case with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and it will be a requirement for Star Wars Outlaws. Moreover, given how the company is trying to push microtransactions in its games with in-game cosmetics and other items, it explains a little about this requirement from the publisher.
Fans Are Not Happy With the Always Online Requirement
One of the most common complaints about this requirement is that players are confused as to why single-player games need to be online, but sadly, most of the recent titles from the publisher have it. This may not be an issue for some players, as they have a constant internet connection, but it may be an issue for many who don’t.
This requirement in Assassin’s Creed Shadows has left fans both angered and saddened. Fans have said that this is an issue and there has to be a backlash, and also that there is no reason a single-player game should always have an online requirement.
See this is where the backlash should be. Always online for a single player game?
— Mgs2master2 (@mgs2master2) May 15, 2024
Fans are worried about the prevention of the game, as if the servers are turned off for some reason, they would be unable to play it. Many fans have called Ubisoft “greedy” and said that they would no longer be supporting the company, calling the requirement a “deal breaker.” Some have also said that they would not be buying the game.
Sadly I can't support Ubisoft no more there new way of releasing games needing a Internet to install and play the games and to need a Ubisoft + account to play is a deal breaker for me I just can't support that kind of practice.
— Sikthy Mangetrix (@SikthyM) May 16, 2024
What are your thoughts about Assassin’s Creed Shadows requiring players to always be online? Let us know in the comments.
