In a significant development for the gaming community, Ubisoft has reportedly cancelled a planned multiplayer DLC for Assassin's Creed Shadows, dashing hopes for a revival of co-operative play in the long-running franchise. This decision marks another setback for fans who have been waiting over a decade for a substantial multiplayer experience since the days of Unity and Black Flag.
Details of the Cancelled Project
According to a report from French publication Origami, the project was internally known as Assassin's Creed League. It was being developed at Ubisoft Annecy, the studio historically responsible for multiplayer modes in classic Assassin's Creed titles. The DLC would have utilised parts of the Shadows map to create scripted missions that were replayable in up to four-player co-op, offering a fresh social dimension to the single-player focused game.
Impact on Development and Staff
The cancellation was reportedly communicated to developers last week, leaving the project axed. While a team of ten developers has been reassigned to port key multiplayer features back into the Anvil engine—potentially easing future multiplayer development—several more staff members tied to League now find themselves without a project. This has raised concerns about possible layoffs as Ubisoft undergoes a major company restructure.
Ubisoft's restructuring involves separating internal teams into 'Creative Houses', with the Assassin's Creed franchise now under Ubisoft Vantage, a subsidiary co-financed by Tencent. The cancellation of League adds to six other unannounced projects that Ubisoft confirmed were axed last month, indicating broader strategic shifts within the company.
Broader Context and Industry Reactions
This news comes amid other changes in Ubisoft's pipeline. The heavily leaked Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake, initially expected later this year, is now reportedly pushed back to 2027 due to the restructuring. Additionally, employees at Ubisoft's French studios are planning to strike between February 10 and 12 next week in protest of recent company changes, highlighting internal unrest.
The cancellation underscores the challenges in reviving multiplayer elements in a franchise that has largely focused on single-player narratives in recent years. With Unity (2014) being the last mainline game to feature co-op and Black Flag (2013) offering asymmetrical PvP, fans have long awaited a return to shared experiences. While the Shadows DLC will not materialise, the engine work by Ubisoft Annecy may still pave the way for future multiplayer modes.
Mirror Online has reached out to Ubisoft for comment on the reported cancellation, but as of now, the company has not publicly addressed the issue. The gaming community remains watchful for further updates, especially regarding the potential impact on staff and upcoming Assassin's Creed projects.
