Exciting News: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Set for Steam Deck Launch on March 20

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is gearing up for its launch on March 20, much to the excitement of Steam users, who are keen to learn about Ubisoft’s plans for Steam Deck support.

Ubisoft Shifts Focus Back to Steam: Enhanced Features Await

In recent years, Ubisoft has gradually shifted its focus away from Steam, favoring its proprietary launcher, Ubisoft Connect. However, since late 2024, the company has made a significant return to Steam, bringing with it complete integration of AC Shadows Steam achievements, collectible cards, and badges.

Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows Perform Well on the Steam Deck?

A major concern surrounding the game was its performance on the Steam Deck. Initially, Ubisoft expressed uncertainty about the game’s status, whether it would be playable or fully verified upon launch.

AC Shadows Earns Steam Deck Verified Status Ahead of Schedule

In a recent announcement, Ubisoft confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is officially Steam Deck-verified, which denotes the highest level of compatibility possible for a game. The team successfully achieved this status earlier than expected.

“Despite initially announcing we wouldn’t be able to support until later […] the team made great progress over the past few weeks and was able to make it happen for launch,” Ubisoft stated on Steam.

This verification allows players to customize controls and utilize all the unique Steam Deck features associated with verified titles. It also suggests that the game will likely run at a decent frame rate, potentially around 30 FPS—a promising indicator for players looking to play modern titles on the Steam Deck, often viewed as underpowered compared to its competition.

Graphics Settings: What to Expect for AC Shadows on Steam Deck

While the news overall is positive, there is one caveat: AC Shadows’ graphics settings will be locked at launch. Ubisoft has not detailed which specific settings will be restricted or how this could affect overall performance, but players should expect limited ability to adjust most graphics options at the start.

“While graphical settings will be locked at launch, you’ll be able to choose the upscalers you want, and we’re looking into providing further options in future updates,” the company stated.

This means that the visual quality available on day one will be the standard until Ubisoft rolls out an update with additional options. While no timeline for this update has been disclosed, it’s expected that it may take weeks, as Ubisoft focuses on addressing launch bugs and critical issues for Steam Deck players first.

Release Date and Platforms

AC Shadows will be available on Steam along with other platforms on March 20, with availability timing varying by region.

FAQ: All You Need to Know About Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Steam Deck

Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows playable on the Steam Deck?

Yes, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on the Steam Deck at launch, and it is officially Steam Deck-verified.

What does Steam Deck-verified mean?

Steam Deck-verified games have been tested by Valve and deemed compatible for optimal performance on the Steam Deck, ensuring a smooth gaming experience.

Will I be able to change graphics settings in AC Shadows on Steam Deck?

At launch, graphic settings will be locked, limiting players’ ability to make adjustments. However, Ubisoft is considering adding more options in future updates.

When is the release date for Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

The game is set to release on March 20, 2024, across multiple platforms, including Steam.