Redefining Excellence: Assassin's Creed Shadows and the New Era of Game Development

The growth and evolution of video game franchises often lead to longer development cycles, a trend that may become more prominent in renowned series like Assassin's Creed. With its latest installment, Assassin's Creed Shadows, having undergone four years of development, it exemplifies a shift in how these games are crafted, potentially setting a new standard for future releases.

Assassin's Creed Shadows has taken four years to create, which may not seem lengthy in today's gaming landscape, yet it marks the longest developmental phase for any title in the franchise so far. This extended duration could signal a new direction for the series moving forward.

In a conversation with Gamesindustry.biz, lead producer Karl Onnée discussed the evolution of Assassin's Creed in comparison to its earlier titles. He noted the elevated expectations that accompany such projects. He emphasized the goal of continually improving quality with Shadows, stating that the team is pushing the boundaries of their capabilities.

Onnée remarked on the delicate balance between time and budget, highlighting that having additional time allows for more iterations. While one could allocate more developers to accelerate the project, this would not afford the same opportunity for extensive feedback collection from players and the team. This feedback is crucial for understanding what aspects are successful and which need enhancement. He posited that four years represents a suitable timeframe to move from the initial concept to the production stage while gathering essential feedback.

Since its announcement, Assassin's Creed Shadows has encountered various controversies, but none pertain to its gameplay or game world, which appear to be among the best the franchise has produced to date. This suggests that investing time into development yields positive outcomes. However, the true measure of how distinct this installment is from its predecessors will only be clear upon its release. If four years has indeed become the new ideal timeframe, it would indicate that upcoming titles may also embrace similar extensive periods of development.