Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to release on March 20 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna, Macs with Apple silicon, and Windows PC. The game will also be available on the iPad at a later date. It can be pre-ordered now on the Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in Japan during the late Sengoku era, this action-adventure game lets players control two characters: the stealthy shinobi Naoe and the powerful samurai Yasuke. Ubisoft has focused on making the game accessible to everyone, ensuring all players can enjoy its features. To understand how accessibility was improved, UX Director Jonathan Bedard shared insights into the design process.
Building accessibility from the ground up
Bedard explained that many parts of the game were rebuilt, which allowed the team to improve accessibility. For example, input remapping lets players customise controls. You can adjust buttons, choose between holding or pressing, and even set up simpler commands.
The development team of Assassin’s Creed Shadows worked closely with Ubisoft’s accessibility experts and other studios. A standout feature is audio descriptions for in-game cinematics. These narrate scenes for players who need additional support, helping convey emotions and actions. Bedard mentioned how impressed the team was when they saw this feature in action during development.
Key accessibility features
Here are some of the features designed to make Assassin’s Creed Shadows accessible:
Visual features
- Colourblind options: Players can choose from different colour presets to make gameplay elements easier to see.
- Screen narration: Menus, HUD items, and time-sensitive elements can be narrated.
- HUD customisation: Players can turn HUD elements on/off, adjust opacity, resize text and icons, and add backgrounds for better readability.
- Screen shake toggle: You can turn screen shake effects on or off.
Audio features
- Subtitles: Options include colour changes, speaker directions, and emotional cues.
- Gameplay captions: These show the source of sounds and visual stimuli.
- Audio descriptions: Cinematic scenes include descriptive audio to explain what’s happening.
- Audio cues: New sounds help with navigation and finding paths.
- Separate audio sliders: Players can adjust individual audio settings, like music or dialogue, separately.
Navigation and guidance
- First-Time User Experience (FTUE): A beginner-friendly setup guides players through key settings.
- Guided mode: This mode simplifies exploration and content discovery for players who prefer an easier experience.
- Tutorials and codex: Tutorials are always accessible in the Codex section. Menu tutorials notify players of new features.
- Conversation log: Players can re-read every line of dialogue at any time.
Control features
- Control remapping: Buttons can be reassigned, and inputs like hold, press, or double-press can be customised.
- Input options: Supports controllers, keyboard and mouse, and mixed setups.
- Lock-on camera: Keep the camera focused on enemies.
- Inverted controls: Options for inverting camera or stick directions.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows gameplay features
- Separate difficulty settings: Stealth and combat have four difficulty options each.
- Canon mode: Automatically selects narrative decisions to follow the official story.
- Melee attack mode: Simplifies combat with single-button inputs.
- Quick-timed events: These can be simplified or skipped.
- Aim assistance: Four levels of aim assistance are available (off, light, moderate, full).
A step forward for accessibility
Ubisoft’s efforts show how far accessibility has come. From audio descriptions to easier control remapping, the features are designed to welcome players of all abilities. Bedard praised the passion and awareness of the team, which led to innovative ideas making their way into the game.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is shaping up to be a game that prioritises inclusivity while delivering an exciting experience. Whether you’re sneaking through shadows as Naoe or fighting as Yasuke, the game ensures every player can fully enjoy their adventure.
Also Read: Assassin’s Creed Shadows faces another delay: Now coming in March 2025
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