Achieving the Perfect Balance: Four Years of Development for the New Assassin's Creed Game

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, which was released in 2020. Lead producer Karl Onnée emphasizes that this duration has allowed the team to strike the ideal balance between time and resources. "Four years provides the perfect balance to go from conception to production and gather the necessary feedback to adapt," Onnée explains. The development process involves constant iteration, which is crucial for delivering a high-quality game. Onnée notes that simply adding more personnel to a project does not necessarily translate to more iteration time, as it takes time to receive feedback from players and the team, and then implement the necessary changes. Assassin's Creed is a leading franchise in the gaming industry, and as such, Ubisoft is committed to upholding its standards. One notable aspect of the series is its dedication to historical accuracy, which is a time-consuming process. Onnée highlights the importance of authenticity, stating, "We take pride in creating a game that is as authentic as possible." This attention to detail extends to the game's setting, with the team conducting extensive research on feudal Japan. The research process begins with internal studies, followed by collaborations with external consultants and historians. The team also visited locations in Japan to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and environment. Onnée stresses the significance of this on-site research, saying, "It's only when you visit the locations that you realize how different they are from what you expected." The team's experiences in Japan influenced the game's design, particularly in terms of the forests and architecture. Onnée notes that these small details are crucial in creating an immersive and authentic experience. The release of Assassin's Creed Shadows presents an opportunity for Ubisoft to expand the series' presence in Japan. The game's authenticity is not only important from an artistic perspective but also from a commercial one. Onnée acknowledges the challenge of appealing to a global audience, particularly in Japan, where Western-developed action games often struggle to gain traction. However, he expresses hope that the game's authenticity will resonate with Japanese players. The development of Assassin's Creed Shadows has also been influenced by the reception of Assassin's Creed Mirage, a smaller title in the series released last year. Onnée reveals that the team tracked the feedback from Mirage and incorporated some of its stealth-focused gameplay elements into Shadows. The collaboration between different teams within Ubisoft is essential for building upon existing work and avoiding redundancy. Onnée concludes, "We all discuss with each other to ensure that we're not redoing work. We want to build on top of existing work and improve it." This collaborative approach is reflected in the company's Anvil pipeline, which enables tech teams to work together and share new features across projects.