Assassin’s Creed Fans Aren’t Happy With Shadows’ Online Requirement

Highlights

Assassin’s Creed Shadows revealed by Ubisoft, releasing November 15th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Ubisoft’s next Assassin’s Creed game already causing controversy for its online requirement.
Some fans also believe the game’s ultimate edition is overpriced.

UPDATE:

Since the publication of this article, Ubisoft has clarified that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not require a permanent internet connection to play.

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not require a mandatory connection at all times. An online connection will be needed to install the game, but you will be able to play the entire journey offline, and explore Japan without any only connection,” Ubisoft confirmed in a post on X.

Ubisoft has officially revealed the very first trailer for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Previously codenamed Assassin’s Creed Red, Shadows takes place in feudal Japan and is releasing this November. Unfortunately, Shadows is already causing controversy after a PlayStation store listing stated that “online play” was required.

Despite being a single-player game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will require players to have an active internet connection. As the store page does not clarify whether or not this is just for start-up, or whether or not the game would freeze/crash during gameplay if the user’s internet connection dropped, I attempted to clarify the details via PlayStation support.

The Finals’ Future Is Looking Bleak After Nexon Says It Performed “Lower Than Expected”

Nexon says it’s working to “understand and address” the issues, but it’s not looking good.

When asked for further details on the “online play required” element of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, a support agent simply told me: “Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an online game. So if your connection would drop – your gameplay might freeze.”

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t the first AAA, single-player title to require a permanent online connection, it still hasn’t exactly resonated well with fans.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Sparks Controversy With Online Requirement

The online requirement for Assassin’s Creed Shadows was spotted by X user Wario64, who took to the platform to notify fellow fans. The response from the majority of Assassin’s Creed fans was mostly negative, with one user saying, “paying $70 for this would be crazy.”

“I understand multiplayer but there should be no reason why a single player game needs to be online all the time,” another X user said in response to the news.

But it’s not just the online requirement that has gamers frustrated. In a separate post on X, another user called out the game’s pricey editions. While the standard edition costs the usual AAA $70, fans can also pick up the gold edition for $110 or the ultimate edition for $130. The latter of which includes the base game, pre-order bonus, season pass, 3 days early access, and an ultimate pack.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released on November 15th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. But it looks like Ubisoft may have already lost some sales with its online requirement.