Assassin's Creed Developer Finds Four-Year Development Cycle Offers the Perfect Balance

The upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows has been in development for four years, marking the longest production cycle in the series' history. This extended timeframe is 25% longer than its predecessor, Assassin's Creed Valhalla. According to lead producer Karl Onnée, this duration allows for the necessary iteration and feedback to create a game that meets the expectations of both the developers and the players. Onnée emphasizes that finding a balance between time and costs is crucial, as rushing the development process can compromise the quality of the game. The Assassin's Creed series is known for its historical accuracy, and the developers take pride in creating an authentic experience. For Shadows, the team conducted extensive research, including on-site visits to Japan, to ensure that the game's setting and cultural elements are accurately represented. The research process involved internal research, collaboration with external consultants and historians, and feedback from the team's offices in Osaka and Tokyo. Onnée notes that the technical capabilities of the hardware and the new engine version were essential in bringing the vision for Shadows to life. The game's development was also influenced by the reception of Assassin's Creed Mirage, which was released last year. Although there was limited time to react to Mirage's reception, the Shadows team was able to build upon the stealth work done by the Mirage team and incorporate feedback from playtests. Onnée stresses the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the Assassin's Creed development teams to avoid redundant work and ensure that each game builds upon the previous one. The goal is to create a game that appeals to a global audience while being respectful and authentic in its representation of Japanese culture.