Ubisoft has canceled a video game set during the U.S. Civil War and the Reconstruction era due to concerns about current political controversy and negative reactions to other characters in its recent titles. According to reports from Game File, the decision was made in 2024 after the controversy generated by the portrayal of the black samurai Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This uproar exposed the vulnerabilities of the company’s leadership, which has been reluctant to address political themes in its games. A game about the origins of the Ku Klux Klan? Guaranteed chaos The canceled project was […]
Ubisoft has canceled a video game set during the U.S. Civil War and the Reconstruction era due to concerns about current political controversy and negative reactions to other characters in its recent titles. According to reports from Game File, the decision was made in 2024 after the controversy generated by the portrayal of the black samurai Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This uproar exposed the vulnerabilities of the company’s leadership, which has been reluctant to address political themes in its games.
A game about the origins of the Ku Klux Klan? Guaranteed chaos
The canceled project was going to follow the story of a black man who was previously enslaved and becomes part of the Assassin Brotherhood, facing the Ku Klux Klan. Although the developers were excited about the game’s potential to create a positive social impact, CEO Yves Guillemot stated that the company does not seek to promote political agendas, which contrasts with the initial support from management for the game’s concept.
The situation in the U.S., marked by a return to policies that dismantle civil rights legislation during the Trump administration, has led Ubisoft to consider the project too controversial and risky. This occurs in a complicated context for the company, which is facing delays in releases and weak financial performance, leading to a more conservative stance in development decisions.
While the game was still in the conceptual phase, the fact that it addressed such delicate human and social issues has been seen by some as a bold step, even within Ubisoft’s creative environment. However, the growing economic risk and concerns about public perception led to the cancellation of the project. In a tense political environment and mixed reactions on social media, the chances of the game resurfacing in the future are uncertain.
Most open-world games have a feature that can turn many people off: they are infinite. This, which can be a virtue for younger players or for those who only play one or two games a year, is a curse for the rest. Having huge amounts of side missions, icons to complete, and the main story never ending does not appeal to a significant portion of the audience. It feels like work. And that makes certain games disappointing. This was one of the reasons why Dying Light 2: Stay Human did not succeed
Most open-world games have a feature that can turn many people off: they are infinite. This, which can be a virtue for younger players or for those who only play one or two games a year, is a curse for the rest. Having vast amounts of side missions, icons to complete, and an endless main story does not appeal to a significant portion of the audience. It feels like work. And that makes certain games disappointing.
This was one of the reasons why Dying Light 2: Stay Human did not succeed. It was a game that was marketed as a parkour survival horror, but we spent as much time leveling up stats, exploring the terrain, having conversations with people, or fighting zombies as we did actually managing our resources or fleeing from threats. Not to mention running errands for people who really contributed nothing to the story or the world. This is something they wanted to address in Dying Light: The Beast in the simplest way possible: by making it much more straightforward.
Born as a DLC for Dying Light 2: Stay Human, Dying Light: The Beast starts where that one left off. But if you’ve never played any Dying Light, don’t worry, as it’s not necessary. The game takes care of explaining everything you need to know, and even without that, the story it wants to tell is perfectly understandable.
In the game, we embody Kyle Crane, a man immune to the strange disease that has come to the world in the post-apocalypse. Most of humanity is dead and, instead of lying eternally, they have decided to return to kill and eat those who are still alive. Kyle is not only immune, but they have also decided to experiment on him to test the possibility of turning him into a biological weapon, and from there arises one of the main mechanics of the game: the Beast Mode. A mode in which we can become a beastly entity to quickly and effectively eliminate enemies for a limited time.
Otherwise, the game is Dying Light. The entire emphasis of the game is on parkour from one place to another, fighting with melee weapons against all kinds of zombies and avoiding, as much as possible, fighting more than a couple of enemies at the same time, or doing so at night, as their strength increases significantly. Occasionally using vehicles and firearms, we will need them for the more dramatic encounters, and especially for some bosses that have just the right level of difficulty to force us to think about how we need to approach them to defeat them.
Neither 50 nor 100 hours ahead
That said, the great value point of Dying Light: The Beast is that it is brief. At least, if you want it to be. With about 12 to 15 hours of story ahead, it is perfectly possible to ignore the side missions and stick to the story and feel satisfied without feeling like you’ve missed anything. And if you want more? You can double your playtime, or even add a few more hours to that, by doing the side missions offered by the characters you encounter.
If you add to that the possibility of completely customizing the UI —we recommend playing in Immersive Mode, even if the game tells you not to do so in your first playthrough—, the game becomes tremendously enjoyable. A delight that is as simple as it is direct.
Because sometimes all you need is a fun game that knows what it wants to do, but doesn’t demand all your leisure hours. And that’s what Dying Light: The Beast does. Being a fun game that knows exactly what it wants to be, and that could even be polished in some aspects, is never less than a well of fun.
Ubisoft has surprised fans of the Assassin’s Creed saga with the expansion of the game Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which presents an unusual approach to storytelling. Instead of typical cutscenes, the DLC content unfolds through a puppet theater, offering a visual experience that recalls the best of classical theater. This change is complemented by side-scrolling gameplay, similar to iconic titles like Rayman and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, representing a significant departure from the main entries in the franchise. There are great similarities with recent successes of the company […]
Ubisoft has surprised fans of the Assassin’s Creed saga with the expansion of the game Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which presents an unusual approach to storytelling. Instead of typical cutscenes, the DLC content unfolds through a puppet theater, offering a visual experience that recalls the best of classical theater. This change is complemented by side-scrolling gameplay, similar to iconic titles like Rayman and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, representing a significant departure from the main entries in the franchise.
Great similarities with recent successes of the company
The mission called The Claws of Awaji lasts about 20 minutes and allows players to control both a soldier and an assassin, evoking the style of characters like Yasuke and Naoe. During this experience, players can enjoy a varied set of activities, including direct combat, stealth assassinations, parkour, and alternative routes, all in an artistic style reminiscent of period theater. This unexpected proposal has been well received, suggesting that it could be a nod to the underrated Assassin’s Creed Chronicles trilogy, which also aligned with a side-scrolling gameplay style.
The similarities with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ubisoft’s most successful game in recent years, fuel expectations that a title in this style for Assassin’s Creed could find a warm reception. Some experts suggest that this mission could be an experiment to assess the viability of developing a full game along these lines. Many in the gaming community express a desire for the franchise to return to more concise installments, around 20 to 30 hours, a duration that would resonate with the classics of the series.
The reception of The Claws of Awaji and its similarity to past works could be a sign that Ubisoft is considering an interesting future for the series, sugesting that the time for metroidvanias in the Assassin’s Creed universe might be closer than many think.
Ubisoft is in a complex situation in the current landscape of video games. Although the company has released well-received games in recent years, it has also faced strong criticism due to some of its productions, such as the highly anticipated Star Wars Outlaws, failing to meet player expectations. In a context where quality and content standards are higher than ever, Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, has expressed his concern about the growing criticism his company faces, which he has described as a “high” business risk factor. They are bothered that they are […]
Ubisoft is in a complex situation in the current video game landscape. Although the company has released well-received games in recent years, it has also faced strong criticism because some of its productions, such as the highly anticipated Star Wars Outlaws, failed to meet player expectations. In a context where quality and content standards are higher than ever, Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, has expressed his concern about the growing criticism his company faces, which he has described as a “high” business risk factor.
They are bothered by being criticized for what they do wrong
During a recent meeting with investors, Guillemot emphasized that the impact of criticism can damage the company’s reputation, as it spreads through social media, distribution platforms, and specialized media, especially after strategic decisions or technical issues. “Ubisoft is exposed to risks of damage to its reputation as a result of online ‘bashing’,” he explained, emphasizing the new reality in which the perception of the video game industry as a cultural medium is influencing how users evaluate games.
This phenomenon has led to criticism focusing not only on gameplay and performance but also on ideological and social considerations, creating a complicated environment for publishers. Interestingly, Guillemot’s statements come at a time when Assassin’s Creed Shadows has reached 5 million players, after facing months of controversy in Japan. Looking ahead, Ubisoft seems ready to revolutionize the Assassin’s Creed series with the upcoming title known as Hexe, which promises an innovative approach to gameplay, although it has been mentioned that it may not be suitable for all players.
Dying Light: The Beast, the next title in the popular franchise, promises a core duration of 20 hours, a measure that distances itself from the approach of large games like Assassin’s Creed. Tymon Smektala, the franchise director, emphasizes that “size is not everything” and that the true value of the game lies in the gameplay experience rather than its duration. This perspective connects with a current trend in video game design where compact and quality experiences are gaining ground. Shorter games, but that you can complete During a conversation with GamesRadar+, Smektala points out that in […]
Dying Light: The Beast, the upcoming title in the popular franchise, promises a core duration of 20 hours, a measure that distances itself from the approach of large games like Assassin’s Creed. Tymon Smektala, the franchise director, emphasizes that “size is not everything” and that the true value of the game lies in the gameplay experience rather than its duration. This perspective connects with a current trend in video game design where compact and quality experiences are gaining ground.
Shorter games, but that you can complete
During a conversation with GamesRadar+, Smektala points out that in titles like Assassin’s Creed, the vastness of the world often creates a sense of burden, as many players may feel that they will never finish the game, which dilutes the return on investment. “If I start playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows, I know I will never finish it,” he states. In contrast, Dying Light: The Beast aims to provide a satisfying journey that players can complete and fully enjoy.
Additionally, Smektala compares Dying Light: The Beast with other industry hits like Control and Alan Wake 2, titles that provide quality experiences in a similar playtime of around 15 to 20 hours. This approach is considered competitive and appealing for those seeking a substantial narrative without the overload of endless content. The philosophy of the Techland studio, which does not have the same resources as giants like Ubisoft, translates into a more thoughtful and pragmatic design.
Finally, Dying Light: The Beast not only represents the return of Kyle Crane, but it is described as an evolution of the saga, often considered by many as Dying Light 3. Smektala emphasizes his confidence that this new chapter will provide players with full value for their investment, aligning with the current demand for meaningful and accessible gaming experiences.
Ubisoft has reaffirmed its commitment to microtransactions, describing them not only as part of its business model but also as a way to make games “more fun.” However, this stance has drawn criticism from both players and the media due to the inclusion of features like paid XP boosters in their single-player titles. Paying more and less consciously is fun, apparently Despite the controversies, the studio has achieved significant financial successes with its recent releases in the Assassin’s Creed series, such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla […]
Ubisoft has reaffirmed its commitment to microtransactions, describing them not only as part of its business model, but also as a way to make games “more fun”. However, this stance has drawn criticism from both players and the media due to the inclusion of features such as paid XP boosters in its single-player titles.
Paying more and less consciously is fun, apparently
Despite the controversies, the study has achieved significant financial successes with its recent releases in the Assassin’s Creed series, such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In its latest annual report, Ubisoft reiterated its intention to continue implementing microtransactions in full-price games, highlighting its desire to “respect the player experience” and resort to “sustainable” monetization.
The report highlights what seems to be an attempt to balance integrating microtransactions into the company’s financial strategy while assuring players that these practices will not be abused. It is mentioned that “the golden rule when developing premium games is to allow players to enjoy the game in its entirety without the need to spend more.” However, this statement contrasts with the idea that microtransactions can enhance the player experience by allowing for avatar customization or faster progression.
By allowing players to purchase progression upgrades, Ubisoft exposes itself to criticism regarding game design that could favor a payment system prioritizing transactions over the free gaming experience. On another note, the company also addressed the Stop Killing Games movement in an official statement, in response to condemnations from former executives regarding workplace harassment that occurred in July.
The CEO of Ubisoft, Yves Guillemot, brings good news, although he hasn’t committed much. He mentioned that new versions of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will arrive on other consoles, although he did not confirm if Nintendo’s Switch 2 is among them. The uncertainty about the game’s arrival on Nintendo’s console has generated a mix of speculation and expectations among fans of the saga. I’m not saying yes or no Frédérick Duguet, CFO of Ubisoft, stated that other titles will be announced, in addition to Star Wars Outlaws, which will also be available on Switch 2. This statement suggests that there could be […]
The CEO of Ubisoft, Yves Guillemot, brings good news, although he hasn’t committed much. He mentioned that new versions of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will arrive on other consoles, although he did not confirm if Nintendo’s Switch 2 is among them. The uncertainty about the game’s arrival on Nintendo’s console has generated a mix of speculation and expectations among fans of the saga.
I’m not saying yes or no
Frédérick Duguet, CFO of Ubisoft, stated that other titles will be announced, in addition to Star Wars Outlaws, which will also be available on Switch 2. This statement suggests that there could be more surprises for players looking forward to fresh content on the new console. Duguet assured that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has had a very good start since its launch in March, and that an expansion titled Claws of Awaji is scheduled for the end of the quarter.
Ubisoft has a history of releasing Assassin’s Creed titles on Nintendo platforms, which fuels hope that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will finally come to Switch 2. Previous games in this saga have performed well on Nintendo consoles, such as Assassin’s Creed III and its remaster, which debuted on Wii U and Switch respectively.
The potential of the Switch 2, which has more powerful hardware specifications, is also a key factor. The improvement in graphical capability could allow for the arrival of highly anticipated open-world games by fans of the series. However, Duguet did not provide further details when asked if the new title would be too extensive for the console. We haven’t said what other games, beyond Star Wars Outlaws, will come to the console, he explained.
Finally, Guillemot emphasized that the development of Assassin’s Creed Shadows represented a significant investment, exceeding $100 million, which underscores the magnitude of Ubisoft’s efforts to deliver a product that meets the high expectations of players.
Netflix has greenlit the Assassin’s Creed series, almost five years after its initial announcement. The production will be led by creators and showrunners Robert Patino, known for his work on Westworld and Sons of Anarchy, and David Wiener, who has worked on Halo and The Killing. Their vision revitalizes a project that had faced significant challenges, including the departure of the previous showrunner, Jeb Stuart, who left the production due to “creative differences.” A series that promises to be everything Assassin’s Creed is The series is described as a high-octane thriller that addresses […]
Netflix has greenlit the Assassin’s Creed series, nearly five years after its initial announcement. The production will be led by creators and showrunners Robert Patino, known for his work on Westworld and Sons of Anarchy, and David Wiener, who has worked on Halo and The Killing. Their vision revitalizes a project that had faced significant challenges, including the departure of the previous showrunner, Jeb Stuart, who left the production due to “creative differences”.
A series that promises to be everything that Assassin’s Creed is
The series is described as a high-octane thriller that addresses the secret war between two opposing factions. One of these factions seeks to determine the future of humanity through control and manipulation, while the other fights to preserve free will. The creators have expressed their enthusiasm for exploring the deep human narratives that lie behind the action, highlighting themes of purpose, identity, destiny, and connection between cultures over time.
Although production has begun its course, no information has yet been revealed about the cast or the release date of the premiere. Fans will have to wait for more details as the project progresses through its initial stages.
In addition to this live series, Netflix is working on an animated series based on Assassin’s Creed, aiming to expand its narrative universe. Also, Ubisoft announced that it is developing a new Assassin’s Creed game for Netflix Games, which suggests a more comprehensive approach to the franchise by the streaming platform.
It is worth remembering that the 2016 live-action film, produced by 20th Century Fox and starring Michael Fassbender, grossed over $240 million worldwide, indicating the strong popularity of the Assassin’s Creed universe and the expectations placed on this new television adaptation.
Ubisoft has decided to revive the iconic Prince of Persia franchise after several years of inactivity, presenting two promising projects: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and The Rogue Prince of Persia. This decision marks a turning point in the history of a saga that gave rise to Assassin’s Creed and had been relegated to oblivion. A game that has had a long early access period, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has been well received by critics and players, standing out as a metroidvania that, however, did not meet sales expectations
Ubisoft has decided to revive the iconic Prince of Persia franchise after several years of inactivity, presenting two promising projects: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and The Rogue Prince of Persia. This decision marks a turning point in the history of a saga that gave rise to Assassin’s Creed and had been relegated to oblivion.
A game that has had a long early access period
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has been well received by critics and players, standing out as a metroidvania that, however, did not meet sales expectations. On the other hand, The Rogue Prince of Persia, a roguelike developed by Evil Empire, has been in early access for over a year, allowing developers to refine its mechanics through various updates and patches.
At the recent PC Gaming Show 2025, Ubisoft revealed that The Rogue Prince of Persia will exit early access in August 2025. This full version will include new content such as biomes, enemies, an additional new act, and improvements to weapons and perks. To date, the game has received over 86% positive reviews on Steam, supporting its emerging success. Additionally, Evil Empire has announced that they plan to increase the price of the game after its full release.
On the other hand, after the multiple issues faced by the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Ubisoft announced that the release window for this project is the first quarter of 2026. The company seems to be showing renewed confidence in its ability to meet this date, following the difficulties experienced in the past.
This revival of the franchise not only generates excitement among fans, but also raises the possibility that Ubisoft is ready to reclaim its legacy within the world of video games.
Ubisoft has announced the release of update 1.0.4 for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which will be available on May 6. This new update includes a free mission titled The Path He Follows, where players will be able to interact with Luis, a Jesuit priest, in the town of Azuchi. By completing this mission, players will gain access to a new chapter of the story focused on the Works of Luis Frois. A Jesuit at the court of Oda Nobunaga The update also focuses on improving game stability and user experience. Numerous fixes have been implemented
Ubisoft has announced the release of update 1.0.4 for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which will be available on May 6. This new update includes a free mission titled The Path He Follows, where players will be able to interact with Luis, a Jesuit priest, in the town of Azuchi. By completing this mission, players will gain access to a new chapter of the story focused on the Works of Luis Frois.
A Jesuit at the Court of Oda Nobunaga
The update also focuses on improving game stability and user experience. Numerous bug fixes have been implemented, including optimization of the photo mode and enhancement of animations, as well as solutions for crashing issues that affected players. A highlighted aspect of this patch is the reduction of the excessive appearance of deer near roads, an adjustment that, according to Ubisoft, aims to prevent these animals from becoming victims of traffic.
Additionally, biographies of the characters have been included in the Codex database, allowing players to better follow their allies and enemies during their journey through Japan. This tool promises to enrich the storytelling and make it easier to keep track of the numerous characters that players may encounter.
Regarding the size of the update, it varies by platform: it will be 4.67 GB on PS5, 20 GB on Xbox Series X|S, and 8.5 GB on Steam. The update will be implemented at 4 PM, Spanish mainland time, giving players one more reason to return to the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and continue exploring its rich narrative in Japan.
