The future of Ubisoft and the possibility of exploring one of the most popular historical periods in gaming might depend heavily on how well Assassin’s Creed Shadows performs. After years of fan interest, the setting of early Imperial Rome seems possible. However, a single mistake could change everything for the studio, and the ups and downs in the history of Assassin’s Creed might prove it.

Past events, like the shift from the glitchy Unity to the much-improved Origins, highlight how quickly things can change. While the simultaneous release of Rogue and the subsequent Syndicate proved that the classic formula could still be executed without the same shortcomings, these games couldn’t stop an impending series overhaul with Origins. Right now, the whole fanbase is focused on Shadows. If it doesn’t achieve both sales success and critical acclaim, it could end our hopes of finally experiencing ancient Rome in the series.

Assassin’s Creed In Rome Has Been Requested Since AC Brotherhood

An Ancient Rome Has Always Been On The Wish List

For years, I’ve been one of many Assassin’s Creed fans who eagerly await a game set in Ancient Rome. The idea of exploring Rome right as Julius Caesar rises to power, with its impressive buildings and political drama, excites many. Wandering through busy forums, uncovering plots in the Senate, and climbing the famous Colosseum. This period offers plenty of opportunities for engaging stories and exciting gameplay, and it could bring some new ideas to the series.

While the franchise got close to capturing the Roman vibe with Assassin’s Creed Origins, which took place in Egypt, a game in Rome could really expand on what Ubisoft can deliver. There’s also the benefit of continuing the story started in Origins. Players could discover more about the early Hidden Ones and how the group moved and developed in Rome. It would be a chance to finally wrap up many ongoing stories from Origins and focus on the further development of what would eventually become the Assassin Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed Changed After Unity’s Controversial Release

We Can Thank Unity For RPG Assassin’s Creed

Assassin’s Creed Unity was set during the French Revolution, and it could have been a huge success for Ubisoft. The game showed off amazing graphics, improved parkour mechanics, and new cooperative multiplayer features. However, when it launched, it was filled with serious bugs and technical problems, which led to a lot of negative feedback and suffering sales. Ubisoft had been releasing Assassin’s Creed titles yearly, a pace that introduced some quality control problems despite the involvement of multiple studios and culminated in Unity’s launch.

Various delays for Assassin’s Creed Shadows reflect an apparent commitment to avoiding the same mistake, but they also point to the risk that the studio could be struggling to quash every problem.

The poor reception of Unity revealed major issues in Ubisoft’s development process, coming to stand for a rushed and incomplete product and damaging the studio’s reputation and trust among players. The negative aftermath of Unity’s release forced Ubisoft to rethink how it approaches the Assassin’s Creed series. Even games like Rogue and Syndicate, which were generally well-received, couldn’t shake off the bad feelings left by Unity. The criticism led to significant changes, but instead of just making better games, Ubisoft changed the formula, showing it learned the wrong lessons from Unity.

The following RPG trilogy, starting with Origins, represented a shift from the traditional style, incorporating elements from popular open-world RPGs, like skill trees and multiple story paths. This change turned out to be a smart move commercially, as sales improved. However, it also alienated some long-time fans, including myself, who felt the essence of the series was lost.

This highlighted the franchise’s vulnerability. If the upcoming game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, fails as Unity did, it could lead to another major shift to try and appeal to more players without necessarily addressing the underlying issues. The Japan setting has been tricky, so Ubisoft may avoid another complex historical setting like Imperial Rome unless Shadows proves to be a hit.

Assassin’s Creed Can’t Keep Making Controversial Games

These Games Have To Do Well

Custom Image by: Tom Wilson

Ubisoft’s history with the Assassin’s Creed games shows a pattern of big successes and major failures, often due to controversial game releases and a feeling of disconnect with fans. While some recent games have sold well, their quality is often debated, frequently overshadowed by technical problems or straying too far from what the series is known for.

For example, despite strong sales for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, it came with a long list of problems and is rarely regarded as one of the best games in the franchise. Its initial success was helped by the favorable reception of its predecessor, Odyssey, highlighting how Ubisoft’s fortunes can change depending on how well the previous game did.

With a long-requested setting as its subject, Assassin’s Creed Shadows faces intense scrutiny and high standards. This game is not just another title in a long-running series; it could be a turning point for Ubisoft itself. The company is currently dealing with financial struggles and a damaged reputation due to various issues. If Shadows is poorly received, these problems could worsen. Its success is vital, not just for Ubisoft’s finances, but also for keeping fans hopeful about the future of the series, including the possibility of exploring settings like ancient Rome.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Doing Well Could Bring Roman Assassins

Roman AC Depends on Shadows

If Assassin’s Creed does end up returning to Rome, a game set during the Roman Empire could be a huge hit. While Ezio already had his share of Renaissance adventures in the city in Brotherhood and Origins touches on an earlier historical era, there hasn’t yet been a game dedicated to the empire. It feels like a natural fit for the current open-world RPG approach, but if Ubisoft rethinks the series, that might no longer be the case.

The idea of a Roman setting has always been appealing. The grandeur and history of the Roman Empire provide a lot of opportunities for an exciting Assassin’s Creed game. Players could explore the vast city of Rome, sneak into the Senate, climb the Colosseum while it’s still in use, and take part in exciting stealth missions and intense battles reflecting Rome’s brutal warfare. This setting could also dive deeper into the Order of Ancients — tying into pieces of Eden — and their activities during the Roman Republic and Empire, building on stories and characters from previous games like Origins and Odyssey.

If Assassin’s Creed Shadows is successful, Ubisoft will be in a more confident and financially stable position to tackle creating a Roman-themed game. It’d be great for fans, but I fully expect Ubisoft to make major changes if the game releases to a downpour of downvotes and negative press. The aftermath of Unity showed that Ubisoft isn’t afraid to shake up the series, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows could easily result in a directional shift that puts Rome on the back burner.