Key Takeaways
- About half of the Assassin’s Creed Shadows team are new to game development.
- The game faced backlash for its protagonists and was delayed due to poor reception of Star Wars Outlaws.
- Despite internal concerns, the executive producer remains confident that, like past projects, Shadows will succeed.
Around half of Assassin’s Creed Shadows development team have never made a game before. That’s according to series executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté.
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Shadows was previously delayed to 2025.
Speaking during an XDS24 Fireside Keynote, Côté shared details on the team’s current makeup and the development of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Team Is Full Of Juniors
It’s been a slightly troubled development cycle for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Despite “very strong” pre-orders, backlash from a vocal minority about the game’s protagonists has persisted, causing members of the development team to speak out. The release of Star Wars Outlaws didn’t help Shadows’ fate either, with the game’s poor reception meaning the latest Assassin’s Creed title was delayed just two months before it was due to launch.
Now, during a keynote speech, as spotted by The Outerhaven, the series’ executive producer has discussed the team and its views on the game.
He said, “I’ve noticed since the pandemic, we have a lot of juniors in our teams. The seniority has lowered globally. Probably half the team that’s building Assassin’s Creed is building a game for the first time.”
Probably half the team that’s building Assassin’s Creed is building a game for the first time.
While Côté never outright states that this has caused issues with the development of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, he shares that it has meant that internal perceptions of the game have been skewed.
“You have to explain to them that even though they’re playing the game right now, and they think it’s the worst thing they’ve ever seen, it’s gonna be good. We’re gonna get there. I’ve been there as a leader.”
Côté alludes to the fact that, although Shadows may be rough now, when it comes to launch, things tend to click.
“I remember my first time on Assassin’s Creed. It was July, the game was shipping in October. I thought, ‘there’s no way this game is shipping,’ then it gets a 91 on Metacritic.”
With a little under three months to go, we’re in the same timeframe that Côté worked under with the aforementioned Assassin’s Creed title. It means that, all going well, the industry veteran is still confident with the product he and his team are producing.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.