Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Burning Questions Answered

The next major entry in the Assassin’s Creed series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is finally within reach. After multiple delays, the highly anticipated game is set to launch worldwide in just a few days. If you’re considering picking it up, then you likely have plenty of questions. Before spending your hard-earned money, it’s best to clear up any doubts.

The information below covers everything you need to know, including available platforms, PC specs, ray tracing support, and all the different editions — including the Collector’s Edition. Whether you’re curious about performance, features, or bonuses, this guide has you covered.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Release Date & Platform Details

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to release in less than a week, launching worldwide on March 20, 2025. However, due to time zone differences, some players may gain access as early as March 19.

All Available Platforms for Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a true next-gen title, as it won’t be releasing on eighth-gen consoles. The game will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Surprisingly, it will also receive support on macOS and iPadOS.

Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows Coming to Switch?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not be available on Nintendo Switch, and the developer has yet to confirm a port for Switch 2. However, handheld players aren’t entirely left out, as the game will be supported on Steam Deck.

Where Can PC Players Purchase Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Like all Ubisoft games, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on Ubisoft Connect. In addition, players can purchase the game on both Steam and the Epic Games Store.

When Can You Start Preloading Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will support preloading, allowing players to jump in as soon as it launches. Xbox players can start preloading now, while PlayStation 5 players can do so starting March 18 at 12 a.m. local time. PC players can begin preloading on March 17 at 4 a.m. UTC.

Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows Coming to Game Pass and PlayStation Network?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not be available on PC Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass, or PlayStation Plus. However, it will be included with Ubisoft’s subscription service, Ubisoft+.

Console Performance & PC Requirements For Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Console players will be glad to know that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will support 60 FPS on all consoles, except for Xbox Series S, which will be locked at 30 FPS. Other consoles will offer three modes: Performance (60 FPS), Fidelity (30 FPS), and Balanced (40 FPS), with all modes featuring some level of ray tracing.

PC System Requirements for Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be demanding, especially for those looking to enable ray tracing. Given that the game is skipping 8th-gen consoles, the high system requirements make sense. However, if you prioritize playability over visuals and frame rate, you can still get by with a GTX 1070 or Radeon RX 5700. Regardless of settings, the game requires 16 GB of RAM in dual-channel mode.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows File Size

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is shaping up to be massive in both scope and file size. While the official storage requirement hasn’t been confirmed, an early listing on the Apple Store suggests the game will need around 123.2 GB of storage space. Ubisoft has also stated that an SSD will be required to run the game.

Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows Support Ray Tracing and Upscalers?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will support the latest technologies, including ray tracing and upscalers.

• Ray Tracing: Both Global Illumination and Reflections will feature RT support.
• Upscalers: The game will include support for NVIDIA DLSS 3.7, AMD FSR 3.1, and XeSS 2, along with their respective Frame Generation technologies.

Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows Support Ultrawide Screen and HDR?

Great news for owners of high-end monitors — Assassin’s Creed Shadows will support both HDR and ultrawide resolutions. Crank up the settings and enjoy the game’s stunning visuals.

Game Modes in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows Multiplayer or Co-Op?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows features only a single-player campaign, with no multiplayer or co-op mode of any kind. Additionally, the popular Discovery Tour mode will not be returning in Shadows, which might be a bummer for some fans.

How Long Is The Campaign?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be a lengthy game, though not as long as AC Valhalla. The main story is expected to take 30–40 hours, while completing side content could extend playtime to around 80 hours.

Do You Need A Ubisoft Connect Account to Play Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Like all Ubisoft games, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will require a Ubisoft Connect account to play. However, installing the software isn’t necessary. As long as your Steam account is linked to your Ubisoft account, you’re good to go.

How Many Editions Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Have?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows comes in three editions: Standard, Deluxe, and Collector’s. While the Collector’s Edition is covered in more detail below, most players will be choosing between the first two.

The Standard Edition includes just the base game — no extra content unless you pre-order. It costs $69.99.

The Deluxe Edition, priced at $89.99, includes bonus items. You’ll receive:

• Base Game
• Sekiryu Dual Pack: Exclusive gear and weapon sets for both Naoe and Yasuke
  • Sekiryu Gear Set for both Naoe and Yasuke
  • Eye of the Dragon Katana
  • Claw of the Dragon Long Katana
  • Sekiryu Beast Mount
  • Dragon Tooth Trinket
• Sekiryu Hideout Pack: Four unique ornaments to customize your hideout
  • Sekiryu Wagasa
  • Sekiryu Tapestry
  • Sekiryu Mask
  • Sekiryu Mizubachi
• 5 Mastery Points

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Have Pre-Order Bonuses?

Players who pre-order any version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will receive two bonuses. The first is the Thrown to the Dogs bonus quest, available at launch. The second is the Claws of Awaji story expansion, set to release later in 2025.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Collector’s Edition

Ubisoft offers a Collector’s Edition for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Hardcore fans might want to get their hands on it, as it includes some incredible physical goodies. It will cost $129.99. Here’s everything inside:

• Base Game
• All Digital Content
• Unique Steelbook Case (Disc for Consoles, Code for PC)
• Naoe’s Katana Tsuba (Life-Sized)
• World Map
• Naoe & Yasuke Statue (40 CM)
• Collector’s Art Book (76 Pages)
• Creed Wall Scroll (70×30 CM)
• 2 Sumi-E Lithographs (19×13.5 CM)

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Have Microtransactions?

Developers haven’t confirmed whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows will have microtransactions. However, considering previous AC games received MTX post-launch, it’s highly likely Shadows will as well.