Ubisoft reacts to Assassin’s Creed Shadows leak showing free battle pass rewards

Video game publisher Ubisoft insisted that the recently released leaks of the Assassin’s Creed Shadows were inaccurate. The rumors concerned the Assassin’s Creed Animus Hub, which was previously known as Assassin’s Creed Infinity and is set to release with the game next year.  

Ubisoft also said that the company aimed to clarify the details surrounding the released information on Animus Hub. The Reddit post came after a datamined leak that has since been deleted. The post outlined that the rewards, which will be available on Animus Hub, will be free. 

The publisher added that there would be no need for paid subscriptions or battle passes featured in the hub. Lastly, players will be able to access featured missions and content at no extra cost. Ubisoft also promised more details about the game and Animus Hub as the publisher approaches launch. 

Notably, Animus Hub is a collaboration between Ubisoft Quebec and Ubisoft Montreal, led by the OGs of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Bloomberg suggested that the Animus Hub, then Assassin’s Creed Infinity, would be an ever-evolving platform. The report also mentioned that the platform would increase in settings as the franchise developed.

Ubisoft defends backlash received about DEI

The Assassin’s Creed Shadows preparation for launch has not been without a hitch, with the game publisher receiving backlash for Diversity and Inclusivity. More specifically, the game has been receiving negative feedback because of the main character, Yasuke, who is displayed as an African Samurai. 

In May this year, SpaceX and Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk joined in with the backlash against Ubisoft, commenting on an X post with the DEI sentiment. The company defended the game’s plot, saying that Musk was only spreading hate. The team insisted that it would not convince the gaming community of the Ubisoft vision for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. 

Assassin’s Creed Shadows VP and executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté addressed the continued backlash during the BAFTA event in London. Ubisoft has been getting feedback that its trial at diversity and inclusivity was spoiling the art of the game. According to Côté, the comments directed toward Ubisoft and the Assassin’s Creed team aimed to prevent the company from including diverse and inclusive characters. 

Côté further explained that the essence of the Assassin’s Creed franchise was to explore human history while incorporating creativity. The executive producer of the Assassin’s Creed Shadows game revealed that the upcoming game explored fiction through the character Naoe, while Yasuke got into the side of human history. 

Assassin’s Creed Shadows delay to improve the game’s quality

Côté discussed the delays in the game’s release during the BAFTA-arranged event. The game was originally scheduled to be released yesterday, but Ubisoft changed the date to February of next year. 

According to the executive producer, the delay would allow the Assassin’s Creed team to produce a high-quality game that meets gamers’ standards. Côté pointed out previous complaints about the quality inconsistency in the Assassin’s Creed game franchise. 

The producer believes that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will allow the team and Ubisoft to change the narrative. Côté also revealed that the upcoming game has the potential to be the best game in the franchise.