Assassin’s Creed Shadows Joins Xbox’s “Stream Your Own Games”

With Assassin’s Creed Shadows set to launch in just a few days, Ubisoft has revealed that the game will be joining Xbox’s “Stream Your Own Games” service—which sounds exciting, but it might not work the way some people think.

For those unfamiliar, this isn’t the same as playing a game through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate’s cloud streaming. Instead, it’s part of a growing initiative that allows players to stream games they already own without needing to install them on their console.

That means Assassin’s Creed Shadows won’t be on Game Pass—you’ll still have to buy it separately. But if you do, you’ll have the option to stream it directly from Microsoft’s cloud servers instead of downloading it, making it a convenient choice for those who don’t have space for yet another massive open-world game on their hard drive.

What is “Stream Your Own Games,” Anyway?

Microsoft first launched “Stream Your Own Games” back in November 2023, rolling it out as an additional perk for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Unlike traditional Game Pass cloud streaming, this service lets players stream games they own digitally, meaning no need for a full install and no waiting for updates.

At launch, only 50 games were supported, but the list has since expanded to over 70, with big titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Witcher 3 already included. Ubisoft has been heavily invested in the program as well, with Star Wars Outlaws, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and multiple Assassin’s Creed games already on board.

So, it’s not surprising that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is joining the lineup—but what does that actually mean for players?

The Pros and Cons of Streaming Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Cloud gaming is a fantastic option for some players, but it also comes with a few caveats.

The Benefits

• No Install Time – With day-one patches often being massive, streaming means you don’t have to wait hours before jumping into the action.
• No Storage Worries – Shadows is expected to take up a huge chunk of hard drive space—streaming avoids that problem entirely.
• Play Anywhere – You can jump between devices without needing to transfer saved files or re-download the game.

The Downsides

• Internet-Dependent – If your Wi-Fi isn’t great, you might experience latency, stuttering, or visual compression.
• Not Actually on Game Pass – You still need to purchase the game separately before you can stream it.
• Limited Game Selection – While the library is growing, not all games support “Stream Your Own Games” yet.

So, while this is a great feature for people who want to play Shadows without downloading it, it’s not quite the same as getting the game for free via Game Pass.

What We Know About Assassin’s Creed Shadows So Far

In case you’ve been living under a rock (or stuck in the Animus too long), Assassin’s Creed Shadows is Ubisoft’s long-awaited feudal Japan entry in the series, launching on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

For the first time in the franchise, players will take on two distinct protagonists:

• Fujibayashi Naoe, a shinobi assassin who embodies the series’ classic stealth mechanics.
• Yasuke, a samurai with a more brutal, action-focused playstyle.

This dual-protagonist setup offers different gameplay styles, making Shadows one of the most exciting entries in the series in years.

And for those wondering about performance enhancements, Ubisoft has confirmed PS5 Pro optimizations and Steam Deck support, which initially wasn’t guaranteed.

When Will Shadows Be Available for Streaming?

Microsoft has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be added to the “Stream Your Own Games” list, but they haven’t provided a specific date yet. Right now, all we know is that it’ll be available “soon”—which could mean anything from launch day to a few weeks later.

For players hoping to dive in immediately via cloud streaming, it’s worth keeping an eye on Microsoft’s official announcements to see exactly when it goes live. Until then, one thing is certain: whether you’re installing it traditionally or streaming it via the cloud, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is shaping up to be one of the biggest launches of the year.