Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Shadows, set in feudal Japan, faced significant delays due to technological hurdles. The ambition to bring the franchise to Japan had long been discussed, but development only commenced when technology and narrative met Ubisoft's exacting standards.

Creative director Jonathan Dumont explained that Ubisoft deliberately avoided premature development, prioritizing a perfect blend of technology and storytelling to ensure a high-quality experience befitting the Assassin's Creed name. This cautious approach highlights the game's importance to Ubisoft, particularly following the challenges encountered with titles like Star Wars: Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. These setbacks underscored the need to avoid another misstep, resulting in multiple delays for Shadows. These delays focused on refining parkour mechanics and ensuring a polished final product.

Despite considerable fan anticipation for a Japan-set Assassin's Creed game, reception to Shadows has been mixed. Concerns exist regarding potential similarities to previous installments like Odyssey and Valhalla. The dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, have also raised questions about the impact of player choices on the narrative.

Ubisoft assures players that the game can be fully experienced with either character, achieving 100% completion as both Naoe and Yasuke. However, questions remain about the depth and divergence of their individual storylines. As the release date nears, Ubisoft must address these fan concerns while delivering a fresh and engaging addition to the franchise.

Assassin's Creed: Shadows remains a crucial project for Ubisoft, aiming to reaffirm confidence in the series and demonstrate the studio's commitment to innovation and quality.