Assassin’s Creed Producer Reveals Shadows Chapter Took Longest Development Time in Series – 4 Years Spent

Karl Onnée, the head of the marketing team for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft’s latest installment, granted an interview to Games Industry about the development process. He revealed that this game took a total of 4 years to develop, making it the longest in the series, exceeding even Valhalla by 25%.

Onnée stated that the success of the previous installment, Valhalla, raised high expectations for this next installment. The development team aimed to push their own limits, spending more time iterating on gameplay to determine what works and what doesn’t. In his view, the 4-year development time was appropriate in transitioning from concept to a full-fledged production.

He also emphasized the historical accuracy aspect, striving to create a game with the most precise and detailed recreation possible. This includes ancient Japanese architecture, or even the differences in the Japanese forest compared to those in Europe. Ubisoft’s team had to rely on assistance from teams in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as hiring external consultants, historians, and even visiting real locations themselves.

When questioned about why the Assassin’s Creed series only now ventured into creating a Japanese-themed game, despite fan demands for a long time, Onnée highlighted the potential of hardware capabilities, coupled with advancements in game engines. The team was confident in their ability to create a game that aligns with their vision, featuring dynamic lighting and shadow systems, as well as a high-power weather system.

Onnée also expressed the desire for Assassin’s Creed Shadows to serve as a cornerstone for Ubisoft’s fanbase in Japan, a market not extensively tapped by Western game developers. He pointed to the success of games like Ghost of Tsushima, developed by Sucker Punch, as a high-achieving example in Japan.

TLDR: Karl Onnée, head of marketing for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, discussed the game’s 4-year development, the emphasis on historical accuracy, hardware advancements enabling a Japanese-themed installment, and the goal of establishing a strong fanbase in Japan.