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Assassin’s Creed Shadows Collector’s Edition Sees $50 Price Drop Amid Season Pass Cancellation and Controversy
October 24, 2024The highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in Feudal Japan, has faced a rocky pre-release journey. Initially priced at $279.99, Ubisoft has slashed the Collector’s Edition price by $50 to $229.99 following the cancellation of the Season Pass and scrapped early access plans. This comes after Ubisoft confirmed a delayed launch date of February 14, 2025, instead of the originally planned November 2024.
Table of Contents
Season Pass and Early Access Scrapped
One of the Collector’s Edition’s primary selling points was early access to the game, allowing players to dive in three days ahead of the general release. However, with Ubisoft’s decision to cancel early access and push the game’s release to 2025, players who had purchased the expensive Collector’s Edition were left wondering if they would get a fair value for their investment. The company addressed the concerns by reducing the price, but many fans remain upset about the changes.
In addition to early access, the Collector’s Edition originally promised a Season Pass that would include post-launch content. Ubisoft’s decision to cancel this feature further diminished the value of the package, fueling frustration among pre-order customers.
What You Get in the Collector’s Edition
Despite the cuts, the Collector’s Edition still offers several notable physical and digital items for collectors. It includes:
- A 10-inch statue of the dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke.
- A life-sized replica of Naoe’s katana tsuba (the guard at the base of the blade).
- An art book featuring concept designs from the game.
- A detailed world map.
- A wall scroll and two lithographs.
These collectibles remain enticing for fans of the franchise, but some are sceptical if the remaining content justifies the $229.99 price point without the Season Pass or early access.
Historical Controversies and Backlash
Beyond the price reduction, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has encountered significant criticism surrounding its depiction of Japanese history. Although Ubisoft touted the game as being “authentic” to the Feudal Japan era, several inaccuracies in promotional materials have led to backlash from historians and fans. Ubisoft issued an apology, clarifying that the game is meant to be a historical fiction rather than a direct retelling of real events.
Adding to the controversy, Ubisoft used a flag from a historical Japanese reenactment group without permission in the game’s artwork. While Ubisoft apologized, they refused to remove the artwork from the Collector’s Edition, further angering some fans and historical experts.
PureArts Statue Controversy
The troubles don’t end there. PureArts, a company known for crafting detailed collectible figures, was set to release a statue of the game’s characters but pulled it from sale due to concerns over its “insensitive” design. This controversy highlighted growing concerns about how the game’s portrayal of Japanese culture and history was being handled. The removal of the statue left fans who were anticipating adding it to their collections disappointed, further impacting the game’s pre-release momentum.
Competing with Ghost of Yotei
The delays and controversies surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows place the game in direct competition with another highly anticipated Feudal Japan-themed title, Ghost of Yotei, expected to launch in 2025. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has expressed confidence in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, despite the stiff competition, stating that there is room in the market for both games.
The game’s dual protagonist system, featuring Naoe, a stealthy assassin, and Yasuke, a savage samurai, is one of the unique aspects Ubisoft hopes will set Shadows apart. The ability to switch between the two characters, each with distinct gameplay styles, offers a dynamic and flexible approach to the game’s open world. Whether that’s enough to outshine Ghost of Yotei remains to be seen.
Ubisoft’s Path Forward
Despite the hurdles, Ubisoft is determined to deliver a memorable experience for fans with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The development team is doubling down on perfecting the dual-protagonist gameplay and further refining the game’s rich, open-world setting. Ubisoft has emphasized that the final product will be a “fantastic experience” that incorporates the feedback and concerns raised by the community.
However, the delay means that fans will have to wait until February 14, 2025, to experience the game. With so many changes leading up to launch, it’s unclear how the final version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be received. Will it rise above the controversies and deliver a compelling narrative set in Feudal Japan, or will the delays and frustrations leave a lasting mark on its reputation? Only time will tell.
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