Assassin’s Creed Shadows Developer Reveals “Half the Team” Lacks Game Development Experience

Marc-Alexis Côté, a veteran developer with nearly twenty years at Ubisoft, recently revealed that approximately half of the team working on the upcoming title, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, consists of inexperienced developers who are crafting a game of significant scale for the first time. His comments were made during the External Development Summit 2024, highlighting the challenges facing this anticipated installment in the beloved franchise.

The road to AC Shadows has been far from smooth. Numerous controversies surrounding the franchise, alongside a projected delay until 2025 for its release, have sparked worries among fans and critics alike. So, naturally, the revelation of a largely inexperienced development team has only intensified skepticism across social media platforms.

Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows — Yasuke character in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Credit: Ubisoft

Understanding the Development Challenges of Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In his candid remarks, Côté emphasized that game development is inherently complex. He stated, “Building games is hard; we need to be honest about that,” reflecting on the stark realities many newcomers face in the industry.

His insightful commentary continued with a stark reminder that, “A game is not good until it’s completed,” acknowledging the fears some developers may harbor when encountering unfinished work. “Probably half the team that’s building an Assassin’s Creed is building a game for the first time. They don’t know,” he noted. This sentiment sheds light on the learning curve that new developers must navigate as they immerse themselves in the project.

Côté recounted his own early experiences with the franchise, recalling a particularly nerve-wracking period just months before a game’s release where doubts were rampant. “I remember my first time on Assassin’s Creed, it was July and the game was set to ship in October. I thought, ‘There’s no way this thing ends up shipping.’” Despite his concerns, that title ultimately received a Metacritic score exceeding 90, affirming his belief that a troubled development does not preclude eventual success.

For those interested, Côté’s full comments can be explored at the

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v577VPbQsh0

Looking Ahead: The Future of Assassin’s Creed Shadows

With an anticipated dual protagonist narrative, AC Shadows is poised to be one of the most ambitious entries in the series to date. Côté’s remarks about the current state of the development team do not inherently suggest that the game will falter. Instead, they provide insight into the development cycle, particularly concerning the influx of junior talent amid a wave of industry layoffs.

Ubisoft has reportedly shed about 1,700 employees since 2022 due to layoffs and other factors, leaving the company with approximately 19,000 staff members. This situation emphasizes the potential rationale behind Côté’s focus on relatively inexperienced developers joining the ranks, indicating a shift towards building their skills within a larger team environment.

In summary, while skepticism surrounds Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Marc-Alexis Côté’s insights into the team’s dynamic suggest that there is still hope for the title to turn into a significant contribution to the franchise, given the right guidance and development progression.

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