Ubisoft Confirms Assassin’s Creed Shadows Will Support Steam Deck at Launch

REDDING, Calif. — Ubisoft announced Wednesday that its upcoming game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, will support the Steam Deck at launch on March 20, despite the company previously stating that Valve’s handheld device lacked the necessary power to run the game.

In a post on the official Assassin’s Creed social media account, Ubisoft expressed its satisfaction in revealing, “Many of you have been asking about Steam Deck. We are happy to say that we are supporting Steam Deck at launch and are currently awaiting the level of classification from Valve. More info to come soon.”

The classification refers to whether the game will receive a ‘Verified’ or ‘Playable’ status from Valve. To achieve ‘Verified,’ games must run seamlessly on default settings and have well-optimized controls and an interface compatible with the Steam Deck. Ubisoft’s declaration marks a significant shift in stance, given that just weeks ago, Pierre F, the technology director for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, indicated that the game would not be compatible with the Steam Deck due to hardware specifications.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is anticipated as a cutting-edge production not compatible with last-generation consoles. The game doesn’t allow users to disable ray tracing, a feature that could strain the Steam Deck’s relatively modest capabilities. Until recent months, the Steam Deck had been able to keep pace with most recent releases; however, its performance on newer titles appears to be waning amid the rapid advancement in gaming technology.

The decision to support the Steam Deck is both timely and commendable as many developers have begun to overlook the aging handheld. “It’s commendable that Ubisoft is committing to support a platform that is considered to be struggling with newer releases,” said gaming industry analyst Kira Johnson. “However, to ensure success, Ubisoft will need to optimize the title accordingly.”

Fans will be pleased to see that Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in feudal Japan, features two protagonists—Fujibayashi Naoe, a shinobi specializing in stealth, and Yasuke, an African samurai focused on direct confrontation. Each character offers unique gameplay styles that cater to different player preferences.

The game will be available across multiple platforms including PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, amidst speculation about how well it will perform on the Steam Deck given its ambitious specs and requirements. Critics have pointed out that Ubisoft’s previous claims initially ruled out compatibility with the device, but the company appears to have responded to fan interest by reconsidering its technical requirements.

Although detailed information on performance expectations remains scarce, Ubisoft has stated that further updates will be shared soon. As fans prepare for the game’s release, many remain hopeful that the company can balance the demands of visual fidelity with the hardware limitations of the Steam Deck.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not just another installment in the franchise; it represents a blend of historical narrative and cutting-edge gameplay designed to engage a broad audience. “I’m excited to see how Ubisoft adapts this experience for handheld gaming, especially after the mixed reception some recent titles have had,” commented gaming journalist Michael Green.