Ubisoft has officially confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will support Steam Deck on its release day. This announcement has sparked excitement among Steam Deck owners, as they will be able to experience the latest entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise on their handheld device.
Official Announcement from Ubisoft
The news was officially shared through the Assassin’s Creed account on X (formerly Twitter), bringing excitement to many fans of the series. The Steam Deck has become one of the most popular handheld gaming platforms, allowing players to enjoy PC titles on the go, making this announcement particularly exciting for portable gaming enthusiasts.
Why This Announcement Matters
Ubisoft’s confirmation means that Steam Deck users will not have to wait for a post-launch patch or update to play Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It also indicates that the game will have some level of optimization to ensure it runs on Valve’s handheld system, though performance details are yet to be revealed.
Waiting for Valve’s Certification
Although Ubisoft has confirmed support for Steam Deck, the development team is still waiting for Valve’s approval regarding the game’s compatibility rating on the platform.
Steam Deck games usually fall into one of four categories:
- Verified (Fully optimized and tested for Steam Deck)
- Playable (Works but may require some adjustments)
- Unsupported (Does not work on Steam Deck)
- Unknown (Has not been tested yet)
It remains to be seen whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows will receive “Verified” status or if players will need to adjust settings to ensure smooth gameplay.
Upcoming Performance Details
Ubisoft has stated that more details about optimization and performance will be shared soon. Players are eager to learn whether the game will:
- Run smoothly on Steam Deck’s hardware
- Require graphical adjustments for stable performance
- Face any compatibility limitations
Concerns Over Performance on Steam Deck
Despite the excitement, some players have concerns about how well the game will run on Steam Deck. A heated discussion on Reddit has sparked debates about potential optimization challenges.
Previous Statements from Ubisoft’s Technical Team
In a Q&A session last month, the game’s technology director revealed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows was not originally designed with Steam Deck in mind. The game’s minimum system requirements exceed the Steam Deck’s capabilities, raising concerns about frame rate drops, resolution issues, and battery consumption.
However, the development team is reportedly working on adjustments to ensure that players can still enjoy the game on the handheld device.
Possible Solutions for Steam Deck Optimization
To ensure smooth gameplay, the game might include adjustable graphics settings such as:
- Lower resolution scaling
- Reduced texture quality
- Adjustable frame rate caps (30 FPS mode for better stability)
These settings would allow Steam Deck users to customize performance based on their preferences.
Potential Cloud Gaming Support
Another potential workaround could be streaming the game through Ubisoft+ or GeForce Now on Steam Deck, rather than running it natively. This method would bypass hardware limitations and allow for a smoother experience, provided the player has a stable internet connection.
New Assassin’s Creed Shadows Features and DLC Plans
Ubisoft’s creative producer has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will receive DLC expansions that offer a unique and fresh experience for players. These expansions will introduce:
- New story-driven content
- Additional missions and gameplay mechanics
- Potentially new regions to explore
This is exciting news for fans who want extended gameplay beyond the main story.
Newly Released 20-Minute Gameplay Footage
Ubisoft has also released 20 minutes of brand-new gameplay footage, giving players a deeper look at:
- The game’s open-world environments
- Stealth and combat mechanics
- New abilities and movement options
Fans of action-adventure games will appreciate the fresh gameplay elements, which aim to evolve the Assassin’s Creed formula while staying true to the franchise’s roots.
Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows Be a Smooth Experience on Steam Deck?
The big question remains: Will Steam Deck provide an optimized and smooth experience for players?
1. The Challenges Ahead
While Ubisoft has confirmed Steam Deck support, challenges such as:
- Hardware limitations
- Potential frame rate issues
- Battery performance concerns
may impact the overall experience.
2. Possible Future Updates and Patches
Even if the game does not run perfectly at launch, Ubisoft may provide post-launch patches and updates to improve:
- Performance stability
- Frame rate optimization
- Better Steam Deck compatibility
This means that even if the launch version has issues, players could see improvements over time.
Final Thoughts: Is This Good News for Steam Deck Players?
1. The Pros
✔ Ubisoft has officially confirmed Steam Deck support
✔ The game will be playable at launch
✔ Potential updates and optimization patches may improve performance
2. The Cons
Not originally designed for Steam Deck hardware
Possible frame rate drops and battery drain issues
Awaiting Valve’s final compatibility rating
Despite the uncertainties, Steam Deck players can still be excited that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on their device from day one. The hope is that Ubisoft’s optimization efforts will ensure a playable and enjoyable experience.
For now, fans will have to wait for more performance details and official testing results from both Valve and Ubisoft.
