Ubisoft announced that players of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will have the option to play the game offline, contrary to some initial confusion that suggested a constant internet connection would be required.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows does not need continuous online connectivity
In a statement, Ubisoft clarified, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not need a constant internet connection. While an online connection is necessary for installation, players will have the freedom to explore Japan offline throughout the entire game.” Similar to Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and the upcoming Star Wars Outlaws, offline play is a key feature.
“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 online connection.”
Initial information on the PlayStation Store page for Assassin’s Creed Shadows inaccurately indicated a mandatory internet requirement, causing confusion among players who feared the game would always need to be online. This raised concerns for those with unreliable internet access and raised the issue of potential server shutdowns, as seen with Ubisoft’s The Crew.
The PS Store page for Assassin’s Creed Shadows has since been updated to reflect online play as an optional feature. While some may find the need for a day-one patch when purchasing a physical copy inconvenient, it is a preferable alternative to making a single-player game constantly dependent on an internet connection.
Launching on November 15 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, Assassin’s Creed Shadows transports players to Japan in the year 1579, where they can embody two different characters: the ninja Naoe and the African samurai Yasuke. While Naoe is a fictional creation, Yasuke is based on the historical figure who served under warlord Nobunaga Oda in the late 16th century. Yasuke’s inclusion as a playable character marks a significant milestone in the Assassin’s Creed series.