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Ubisoft has had a tough go of it recently.

The company known for their vast open worlds that incorporate both first person shooter and third person melee style combat systems is struggling. A decade or so ago, Ubisoft was putting out hit after hit with franchises like Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, anything related to Tom Clancy, and more, but that hasn’t been the case lately. The company’s reputation has changed to one much less desirable. Gamers now commonly think of Ubisoft as a company that releases games that aren’t finished, polished, or are simply bad. Needless to say, Ubisoft could use a win.

Ubisoft’s latest release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been blanketed by controversy for years. Initially the game was set to be released in November of 2024, then was delayed to February of 2025, then was delayed one final time to March 20, 2025. Many of...

It’s no secret that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been quite the controversial title, especially with regards to one of its titular protagonists – Yasuke. Players have ragged on the inclusion of the character for quite some time now, citing that his inclusion was quite disingenuous toward the Japanese people, with certain rather snarky remarks being thrown in.

One of the most popular video game streamers, FightinCowboy has recently spoken up about the same, offering his thoughts on the game, and with regards to Yasuke in general.

FightinCowboy Addresses The Hate Surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Yasuke The dual protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe | Image Credits: Ubisoft

Speaking out in a recent Twitch stream, FightinCowboy recently addressed the ‘controversy’ surrounding Yasuke, when confronted about it by one of his viewers. Allegedly, the commenter jumped onto the stream to complain about a black man being headed as a protagonist in Assassin’s Creed.

Microsoft hasn’t had an easy time of it this generation when it comes to the Xbox platform. Now it looks like the tech giant is planning some bold moves when it comes to Xbox Steam integration in order to make up for the significant missteps that have occurred over the past few years and perhaps claw back some of its old fanbase who have since moved on to pastures new.

A recent leak supposedly showing proposed strategic decisions from within Microsoft hint at a long-term plan that could potentially reshape the gaming landscape as we know it. As Xbox continues its attempt to push things beyond the traditional console experience, a future where Xbox games being available on Steam, and the Steam platform potentially being accessible on Xbox consoles, is looking more likely.

Xbox Steam Integration: A Real Leak or a Purposeful Strategic Tease? The evidence is rather convincing.

A film adaptation of Hazelight Studios’ acclaimed co-op video game Split Fiction is in the works, we hear. More details below.

Just two weeks after Hazelight Studios released its latest critically acclaimed videogame, Split Fiction, a film adaptation has been announced, as reported by Variety. Apparently the positive reaction to the game has started quite a bidding war for the rights to make a film version, and media company Story Kitchen (which is also behind the planned adaptations of Vampire Survivors and Sleeping Dogs) is currently getting a script together and finding a director and cast.

Split Fiction, which requires a friend to play with, follows Zoe and Mio, two writers who were promised publishing deals. Once they arrive at the publishing house, they’re asked to step onto platforms where a machine will transport them into an immersive experience of their stories. Hmm, that’s not suspicious at all…...

The Scout system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a big part of the game’s experience. Scouts can help you locate objectives, collect resources, and even clear your wanted status.

Get helpers in AC Shadows. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Since scouts are a limited resource, you need to understand how to use, acquire, and refill them. Worry not, because we’re here to help. Let’s break down everything you need to know about scouts in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

How to Use Scouts in Assassin’s Creed Shadows They can help with different things. | Image Credit: @ZaFrostPet/YouTube

Scouts in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are used for three main reasons. You can use them for locating targets, collecting resources, and clearing your Wanted status.

RelatedWith Assassin’s Creed Shadows Following a $770 Million Precedent Set By Star Citizen, Ubisoft Could Be Doomed If It Fails

You can do all these...

Ubisoft’s recently launched Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been quite controversial, to say the least, with the title drawing the ire of both gamers and Japanese officials alike ahead of its long-awaited launch for both PC and console. However, early impressions seem to paint the game in a mostly positive light, at least in terms of its overall setting and execution.

This extends well into the game’s PC port too, with most agreeing on a job well done by Ubisoft, likely thanks to the numerous delays the game faced, which might have helped polish it up a bit more than usual.

In an interesting twist, it would appear that Ubisoft’s open-world title performs remarkably well, even when including one mandatory system requirement that had proved to be the Achilles Heel of Indiana Jones and The Great Circle.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Paves The Way Forward For Older Systems

For the uninitiated,...

Despite a delayed release and some notable controversies, Assassin's Creed Shadows seems to be enjoying a successful launch period on Steam. Originally scheduled for release in 2024, Shadows was delayed until March 2025 in part due to the relative underperformance of Ubisoft's previous open-world game, Star Wars Outlaws. Fortunately, for Ubisoft, Shadows' early numbers indicate that the game has found success, and might be well on its way to outstripping several other Assassin's Creed games.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is already reaching impressive player counts on Steam Charts, outstripping Valhalla's all-time peak of 15,431 players on just its first day. At the time of writing, Shadows is currently sitting at an all-time peak of 41,210 players, putting it significantly above the last two games in the franchise, Valhalla and Mirage - and, if the game's audience continues to grow, it may eventually outstrip the two other most recent games in the series, Origins and Odyssey.

Think of stealth and assassination in gaming, and chances are, Assassin’s Creed comes to mind first. And why wouldn’t it? The series has spent over a decade perfecting the art of silent takedowns, hidden blade executions, and parkour-infused assassinations.

The game already featured assassination mechanics in 2005. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

However, not many players know that the series owes much of its signature gameplay to another Ubisoft series that was quietly buried before it could truly shine: Prince of Persia.

Before Altair even made his first leap of faith in 2007, the Prince had already mastered the art of stealthy takedowns in Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, released in 2005, two full years before the first AC game.

Before Assassin’s Creed‘s hidden blades, there was the dagger of time

Assassin’s Creed has made assassination its defining feature, with stylish, high-flying kills and cinematic stealth takedowns being a major part of its identity.

Ubisoft always tries to push the envelope and make waves, whether it’s with towering monuments or, you know, throwing an African Samurai into the middle of Feudal Japan in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. If you were already upset about that part, things are about to get a whole lot more, ahem, interesting.

The game offers diverse relationship options. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Why? Because Shadows takes that already controversial step and raises the stakes to a new level: if players choose Yasuke, they can pursue gay affairs. Yes, you read that right. Welcome to 16th-century feudal Japan, where love knows no bounds.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes love where no samurai has gone before

Shadows was already ruffling some feathers by featuring Yasuke, a Black man, in a Japan-based game. But if that wasn’t enough to set social media on fire, now players get the chance to make the...

A new spy movie starring Michael Fassbender and Pierce Brosnan has pulled off a box office feat. Fassbender is a versatile actor who is perhaps best known for playing the young Magneto in the X-Men prequel movies beginning with 2011's First Class. However, in addition to starring in big-budget genre movies such as the superhero franchise, Assassin's Creed, and Prometheus, he has starred in a variety of dramas such as Shame, A Dangerous Method, Song to Song, Steve Jobs and 12 Years a Slave, the latter two of which earned him Oscar nominations.

While Pierce Brosnan does not have any Oscar nominations under his belt, he does have ample experience in the spy genre, having starred in four James Bond movies between 1995 and 2002. He played the iconic superspy in GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day, stepping into the role after the two-movie tenure...

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a new take on the battle pass system through its Shadow Projects. This new in-game production system is very similar in function to the traditional battle pass that we’ve seen in other games. One big change to note though is that it is entirely free in AC Shadows.

At least its free. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

We can get legendary weapons, armor, and other exclusive items for both of the game’s protagonists in the Shadow Projects. As usual, progression is locked behind points known as Data Fragments which we can get by completing Anomalies. Let’s look at how to unlock the Assassin’s Creed Shadows battle pass and everything you need to know.

How to Get the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Battle Pass You need to unlock it first. | Image Credit: @Khrazegaming/YouTube

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the Battle Pass system is known as Shadow Projects.

Having a good knowledge of hideout rooms on Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be quite beneficial to get things going in the game. There is. not a lot that you would need to take care of, but the game does offer multiple options for you to choose from, each with its own unique set of benefits.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows allows players to approach the game in their unique styles. Image Credit: Ubisoft

Choosing the best hideout rooms in this game is of the utmost importance since various rooms will grant you different benefits that will aid you in your journey to becoming a strong Assassin. Strategically upgrading these rooms will enhance your overall gameplay experience.

Best Hideout Upgrades to Unlock First in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Choosing the first few rooms could be the hardest, since players are often not too sure about their approaches this early on. There...

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is faced with yet another hurdle, and this time it is a big one since it comes from the head of the government of Japan. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has spoken strongly against the portrayal of his culture and country in the game; this is the last thing Ubisoft would have wanted.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows faces backlash from the Japanese government. Image Credit: Ubisoft

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now officially out. Despite a few setbacks in the past, Ubisoft has managed to release the game on time, and it is currently live worldwide. However, a new problem has emerged, and Ubisoft will need to carefully navigate its way out of it.

Japan’s Pm is not happy with the portrayal of his country’s culture in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In a recent diet meeting, the Pm addressed concerns over Assassin’s Creed Shadows,...

It’s been a while since it was revealed that Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are suing Pocketpair, the mind behind Palworld. However, that didn’t stop the studio from bringing updates to Palworld for gamers who couldn’t get enough of “Pokemon with guns.”

Palworld was one of the biggest surprises of 2024. (Image via Pocketpair)

The conversation on the lawsuit between Nintendo and Pocketpair seems to have settled down a bit. Now, the developers of Palworld have opened up about the studio’s initial reactions to the event and how it forced them to hire extra security.

Pocketpair took extra security after Nintendo lawsuit

While talking at the Game Developer’s Conference panel, as reported by PC Gamer, Pocketpair communication director John Buckley opened up about Palworld‘s explosive launch. He revealed Pocketpair’s vision for the game and how it tackled challenges.

RelatedNintendo Suing Palworld Opens the Gates...

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has gone from being a game that felt like a sure-fire slam dunk for Ubisoft, to one that has become embroiled in controversy and divisiveness, and it isn’t even out yet! It is no secret that Ubisoft needs a win both financially and critically, so to see the company carrying out damage control before the game is even out is likely somewhat concerning to shareholders.

Ubisoft appears to be taking a firm stance against the wave of online harassment that has surrounded Assassin’s Creed Shadows by launching an initiative intended to protect its developers from abuse. An anonymous company has said the publisher has set up a dedicated team to monitor online social media platforms and take legal action against those engaging in targeted harassment.

Ubisoft’s Plan to Combat Harassment

According to an anonymous Ubisoft employee who spoke to French media outlet Bfmtv,...

Since bursting onto the scene in 2007, Assassin’s Creed has become one of the most successful and influential video game series. It has evolved from a stealth-driven game into a fully-fledged RPG series. Each installment offers new twists, new settings, and new ways for players to experience history.

The series has evolved over the years. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

From the ancient cities to the pirate-infested waters of the Caribbean, the series has allowed players to step into the shoes of legendary figures throughout history.

Every Assassin’s Creed Game Listed According to Release Date

With over a dozen main entries, the series has taken players on wild rides through different historical periods. Whether you’re a fan of sneaky rooftop assassinations or full-on RPG adventures, there is something for everyone.

Here are all the main installments in order of their release dates:

1. Assassin’s Creed (2007)

The journey began in 2007 and introduced the conflict...

With Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ launch just around the corner, more and more players are now interested in knowing more about the game, including its main storyline, side missions, and all the other things that its open world has to offer.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be out on March 20th. Image Credit: Ubisoft

The completion time will vary depending on the approach you take. Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers players the opportunity to indulge in its open world and create their own tailored experience in it. There are a lot of things to do and a lot of things to find out. If you are someone who likes spending many hours exploring the world of games, then this game promises a good adventure for you.

How Long Will It Take to Complete Assassin’s Creed Shadows Story?

The main story of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will take somewhere between 30 and 40 hours to complete.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the latest entry into the beloved Ubisoft franchise and it comes out in just a day. Like any other modern game, AC Shadows will feature a set of trophies and achievements that you’ll want to complete if you’re a completionist.

There’s a lot to do in this game. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

With 55 trophies in total, there are lots of things for us to do in Ubisoft’s latest game. But worry not, because we’ve got you covered. Here’s a complete breakdown of how to earn every trophy in Assassin’s Creed Shadows for that sweet 100% completion.

How to Get All Trophies and Achievements in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a total of 55 trophies/achievements that cover different aspects of the game. Some trophies will unlock as you progress, but others will require planing. Ahead of the game’s release,...

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ release date has almost arrived, and people are extremely excited about it. The game was supposed to be released last year in November but was pushed further away to March 2025, since the team thought more work would be done on it.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is just one day away from release. Image Credit: Ubisoft

The game features 2 protagonists of different genders, each having a story independent of one another, yet their worlds do coincide eventually. The game will let players switch between the two and see the game’s world through different eyes while exploring various romantic options as well.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is liberal with its approach to romance

In the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players will be able to engage in same-sex relationships much like some of the previous games from the franchise, including Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

The game has...

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows was already fighting an uphill battle and things may have just gotten worse. We’re just a day from the game’s release and this time, it’s not about historical accuracy or gameplay. A recent clip from early previews of the game showed Naoe, one of the game’s two protagonists, talking to a shopkeeper. And the voice acting was something.

It literally made no sense. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

The Npc vendor delivered the line in an oddly monotone and unnatural manner and combined with the bizarre phrasing, it just sounds weird. Fans have already started calling it out and ridiculing it. The line goes like this, “Resentment can grow quietly, without much warning after a storm. Mushrooms can too, Shiitake?”

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a really weird moment with a shop vendor

This clip has been found just a day ahead...

The Assassin’s Creed series tells the ongoing fight between the Templars and the Assassins. The former is an organization trying to usher in the New World Order by seizing political power, while the latter is a hidden peacekeeping organization protecting humanity. The series uses different historical settings to tell standalone stories, going all the way back to Ancient Egypt with 2020’s Assassin’s Creed Origins.

Since its debut in 2007, Assassin’s Creed has become an almost annual franchise like Call of Duty, with new entries releasing every one to three years.

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a thrilling epic set in Japan in the 1580s, during the Sengoku period, and it has two playable protagonists—Yasuke, a Black samurai, and Naoe, a female shinobi—and well over a hundred assassinations to complete. It’s a very busy game, so much so that the present-day plot about exploring genetic history via the Animus essentially serves as a brief bookend, but with the exception of a few minor side quests involving praying at similarly designed shrines, very little of it feels like work.

Shadows is a near-perfect blend of focused missions and leisurely exploration across a massive open world, but you may wonder if it even needs dual protagonists. After all, Naoe, who inherits the assassin’s blade from her secretive parents, is a classic Assassin’s Creed hero, complete with X-Ray eagle vision that lets her mark enemies through walls, tools for distracting or disabling,...

Ah, pre-order bonuses: those exclusive rewards that developers dangle in front of the gamers to entice them. You know the drill now: sign up early, get the game, and suddenly you are ‘blessed’ with bonus missions, some in-game currency, or even exclusive gear if you went for that higher tier.

The game has a lot to prove. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Sounds enticing, right? Well, let’s hold on for a minute. As exciting as the offers for Assassin’s Creed Shadows may seem, the reality of these exclusive perks is a bit more complicated than Ubisoft might have you believe.

Sure, its the much anticipated AC game set in Japan, but does the hefty price tag actually justify the cost of Shadows?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows pre-order deals: Is it worth it?

Let’s break down the pre-order offers first (which can only be received before March 20th) and see what we’ve got here.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been the talk of the gaming world, but not always for the right reasons. While much of the conversation has revolved around its controversial protagonists, the mood is shifting as the game’s release date draws closer. Suddenly, there’s a buzz of excitement.

The anticipation for the game is at an all-time high. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

It turns out that Ubisoft was working tirelessly to get it just right. Recently, Marc-Alexis Coté revealed a behind-the-scenes story about how their Japanese colleagues were Not impressed with the early builds. A couple of fixes later, and it finally got corrected. Who knew lighting could be such a deal-breaker?

Ubisoft went to great lengths to perfect the setting in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Shadows places a heavy emphasis on its feudal Japan setting, aiming to bring players into the authentic experience. While the authenticity has been questioned many times,...

After a long production period followed by a series of last-minute delays, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally hitting the market on March 20th. This game could potentially turn the tides around for Ubisoft after a series of failures that the studio has experienced in the recent past.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is moments away from release. Image Credit: Ubisoft

This will be the first addition to the Assassin’s Creed franchise to be set in feudal Japan, a place Ubisoft has long been wanting to explore. Various editions of the game are currently available for pre-order across platforms.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is all about taking it to the next level

Assassin’s Creed Shadows follows the story of two protagonists, Fujibayashi Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, a black samurai. The game was earlier bashed for being forcibly woke and historically inaccurate, but Ubisoft cleared the air by shedding...

Bungie has continued to evolve Destiny 2 and expand it with the help of crossovers with other companies and properties. The first crossover in the game started off with Guardians appearing in Fortnite and various armor sets brought to the Mmo.

Destiny 2 has collaborated with iconic franchises. (Image via Bungie)

Since then, we’ve seen Assassin’s Creed, Fall Guys, God of War, and various other franchises coming to Destiny 2. It’s still unknown which property Bungie is planning to partner up with next, but it would be a grave mistake if the developer doesn’t consider WWE.

Why we need a Destiny 2 x WWE crossover A collaboration between these two giants can go a long way. (Image via Bungie)

It’s been decades since WWE first started premiering, but it still stands as the most popular wrestling spectacle in the world. With legendary superstars and an unmatched legacy, WWE continues to entertain millions.

EA’s grand vision for Battlefield V was clear, deliver a gripping World War II experience while pushing for a more inclusive and diverse gaming landscape. Instead, it found itself on the battlefield of public opinion, fighting for relevance in a crowded holiday season.

Analysts were quick to raise the alarm, with Cowen warning that the game was lagging behind Call of Duty, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Assassin’s Creed. And just like that, what was meant to be EA’s holiday blockbuster turned into a lesson in market miscalculation.

A still from Battlefield V | Credits: EA

But beyond sales figures, Battlefield V also became an unexpected lightning rod for controversy. The inclusion of female soldiers in frontline combat triggered a heated debate over historical accuracy versus creative freedom. While EA stood its ground, the backlash was fierce.

Did this controversy contribute to the game’s underperformance, or was it simply...

“Assassin's Creed Shadows”, the new video game developed by Ubisoft Quebec is the fourteenth major installment in the “Assassin's Creed” series, with a gameplay style allowing quests to be approached in multiple ways, available March 20, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S, macOS and iPadOS:

“…set in 16th-century Japan, the game focuses on the struggle between the ‘Assassin Brotherhood’…

“…who fight for peace and liberty, and the ‘Templar Order’, who desire peace through control, from the perspective of two protagonists: ‘Fujibayashi Naoe’’, a female ‘Shinobi’ and ‘Yasuke’, a samurai….”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise features some of the best plotlines and characters in the entire gaming industry, but one element in their titles that has been lacking an update for a while is its stealth gameplay. The stealth mechanics in almost all the Assassin’s Creed games till now have been quite similar.

Assassin’s Creed games almost have the same stealth elements in all of their games | Image Credits: Ubisoft Entertainment

On the other hand, Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham games have a plethora of stealth dynamics that make the players feel like an Apex Predator. How did Rocksteady achieve this, and how can Ubisoft implement it in their upcoming game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Let’s find out.

How Ubisoft can elevate its stealth mechanics Shadows can elevate its stealth mechanics from Arkham games | Image Credits: Ubisoft Entertainment

Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series made sure that the stealth missions in...

Movies like Uncharted, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 have proven that video game adaptations are quite popular nowadays. Naturally, many video game developers are using this opportunity to generate more revenue out of their valuable IPs. One such developer is Blizzard Entertainment, as the studio is interested in venturing into filmmaking once again.

Blizzard is hoping to expand its IPs in a different medium (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Almost every developer has acknowledged the idea of making a film based on their beloved IP, except one: Rockstar Games. The Grand Theft Auto franchise has so much potential, but it seems like Take-Two Interactive will never create a movie based on the franchise. However, in the past, the CEO of Take-Two Interactive created some hype by revealing the only demand that must be fulfilled if players want to see a Grand Theft Auto movie.

Blizzard Entertainment is...

It’s fair to say that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be a make-or-break moment for Ubisoft. The French publisher enjoyed a great degree of success last decade, but in recent years, its share price has plummeted, and all recent games have been a failure.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is right around the corner. (Image via Ubisoft)

To make matters worse, reports flooded in last December that Ubisoft might face a Tencent takeover in the future if the downward spiral continues. While nothing has materialized, it seems like it won’t be long before Ubisoft meets its end, as Assassin’s Creed Shadows is already following a path set by Star Citizen that is making gamers question everything.

Star Citizen‘s $770 million legacy should be a lesson for Ubisoft Star Citizen is considered one of the most expensive projects, but it still hasn’t been released. (Image Cloud Imperium Games...

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is almost upon us, after a long, tumultuous wait full of delays, controversy, Ubisoft stock drops and much more. Mere days away, Ubisoft is ramping up the marketing for the game, with content creators announcing they have keys, adverts on TV seemingly every five minutes, and a feeling of wherever you turn, you’ll see the game. Yet, they haven’t even mentioned the game’s best feature, and as such, the best way to play Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Expert Mode is the Only Way to Play

Assassin’s Creed was always a franchise based around the idea of stealth. Hiding from enemies, dispatching them instantly from the shadows (or hay) and planning your assassinations from the rooftops. The recent entries in the franchise seemed to veer away from that, instead focusing more on the action-rpg genre, with Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla being huge games.

To say that Ubisoft has been in a rough patch for a few years is going to be an understatement. With one misfire after another, the studio’s titles have failed to find success, with some even downright failures. So, when we hear about the studio’s finances being in the dumps, it’s not very surprising.

Shadows has a lot riding on its release. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

For the past few months, even rumors of a buyout have started swirling. The name at the center? Tencent. Despite being under the U.S. government’s watchful eye, reports suggest that Ubisoft’s future could be shaped by this Chinese gaming giant, which is no stranger to navigating tricky waters.

More trouble for Ubisoft? Tencent added to U.S. Defense Department’s List The company has been flagged as a potential threat to national security. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Adding more hurdles to Ubisoft’s already challenging path.

If you're a huge fan of wasting your time and money, there's historically not a surer way to maximize the squandering of both than strolling down to your local multiplex and paying full admission to watch a movie based on a video game. With astonishingly few exceptions, video games have proved stubbornly resistant to film adaptation. There are numerous reasons for this, but the one hurdle that most filmmakers seem incapable of clearing is that watching a game isn't nearly as fun as playing one. Sounds crazy, but I really think there's something to it!

With this in mind, studios have trouble entrusting their would-be video game movie franchises to top flight directors. "Werewolves Within" is an outlier on account of being an indie film adaptation of a game that wasn't widely known outside of hardcore gaming circles, which allowed director Josh Ruben and screenwriter Mishna Wolff to basically do their own thing.

Michael Fassbender is undoubtedly one of the most talented actors of his generation and has played some truly iconic roles, but there is one that slipped through his fingers: James Bond. During a recent podcast appearance, the actor reminisced on his 007 audition, among others.

Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, hosted by journalist Josh Horowitz, Fassbender recalled his meeting with Barbara Broccoli –the alliterative producer who until a recent sale to Amazon, held the keys to the Bond kingdom. "I met with Barbara Broccoli just you know through passing and I actually went in to an audition phase before Daniel [Craig] was cast, but I don’t think I was ever in the mix," Fassbender said. "But I remember going into that room and meeting with her and [Michael G.] Wilson and I think I was like, 'Daniel Craig is…' I don’t know why I was promoting him, I should have been promoting myself.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is nearly here, and the excitement is reaching new heights for Ubisoft's stealth-focused RPG, which just might be the game fans have been waiting for. A big part of that buzz comes from the game's composers, Joe Henson and Alexis Smith, collectively known as The Flight. This talented duo are no strangers to the Assassin's Creed franchise, having previously composed the music for the multiplayer in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

However, they're calling the upcoming installment "the one that everyone's been wanting," fueling even more anticipation for what's to come. Speaking to Screen Rant, the composers discuss how they feel about Shadows and what they think players will like. Specifically, we asked them what they would say to someone who has skipped a few of the recent titles in the franchise but is thinking about coming back for Shadows. Henson had this to say,...

Composers Joe Henson and Alexis Smith return for Assassin's Creed Shadows and reveal a chilling detail about the protagonist, Naoe. The upcoming installment of the Assassin's Creed franchise takes players back to the core elements of the game, focusing on stealth and parkour over other mechanics. Unlike most stealth games, where players hide out of fear of being caught, Naoe's approach is entirely different.

Speaking to Screen Rant, Henson and Smith, known as The Flight, discussed how the protagonist of Assassin's Creed Shadows differs from other stealthy characters in the franchise. As Henson explains, "[she] is in a place of strength when she is hiding... This is what she does, this is her job."

Because of this, Naoe's inner dialogue while in stealth is unlike that of other characters. "When you're playing in stealth, there's whisper dialogue, and that's what [Naoe] is thinking while she's hiding."Henson and Smith shared a translation of this dialogue,...

Michael Fassbender relives his "excruciating" audition for Mad Max: Fury Road in which everything went wrong. Released in 2015 and hailing from franchise creator George Miller, the fourth installment in the Mad Maxsaga features Tom Hardy in the starring role as Max Rockatansky, a drifter in an apocalyptic wasteland who joins forces with Charlize Theron's Imperator Furiosa as she seeks out her homeland. Fury Road was critically acclaimed and a success at the box office, and there has been continued interest in seeing Hardy reprise his role in the reported follow-up, Mad Max: The Wasteland.

During a recent interview with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Fassbender reveals that he was up for the Mad Max: Fury Road role that eventually ended up going to Hardy. The audition, however, ended up being a fairly disastrous experience, as Fassbender reveals that, not only was he very late after getting lost,...

The handheld gaming revolution is in full swing, and Ubisoft’s latest announcement regarding Assassin’s Creed Shadows could be the sign that even bigger surprises are on the horizon. With the game’s release so close, players were disappointed to see that it wouldn’t be on the Steam Deck.

The game is launching at a high, fortunately. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

However, in a surprising twist, Ubisoft recently revealed that the game will indeed support the Steam Deck at launch. This thrilling news not only excites fans but also raises intriguing possibilities, could this change of heart be due to the rumored Microsoft’s upcoming handheld in 2025?

Ubisoft is taking a bold step with Assassin’s Creed Shadows Shadows now will be available on the handheld. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Ubisoft’s sudden change of stance regarding Steam Deck support for Assassin’s Creed Shadows has shocked many fans. They...

Ubisoft in January of last year attempted to revive a franchise that everybody had given up hopes for. While Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown did not turn out to be as big of a blockbuster as some hoped for, it definitely brought a fresh perspective for gamers to look at the franchise with.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was the studio’s attempt at reviving the franchise | Credit: Ubisoft

The game was unfortunately overshadowed by bigger releases at the time, including Tekken 8 and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. However, a year after The Lost Crown’s initial release, the studio has just announced how the game will be making its way over to the PlayStation Plus Extra catalog this month.

Ubisoft and the desperate need to bring up Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s player count The company is in deep trouble and Prince of Persia might be...

Ghost of Tsushima is one of the best PlayStation exclusives fans have been graced with this past decade. The game, developed by Sucker Punch Productions, dove deep into the world of feudal Japan, giving players an insight into what it was like to be alive at the time of the first ever Mongol invasion on the islands.

Ghost of Tsushima’s open-world is like a double-edged sword | Sucker Punch Productions

Unfortunately, as amazing as the game is, Ghost of Tsushima’s open-world formula, despite its brilliance, made the player suffer from the same problem they do when they play a game by Ubisoft, something like an Assassin’s Creed title.

A Ghost of Tsushima’s problem that Ghost of Yotei can’t afford to make Ghost of Yotei is the next installment in the franchise | Sucker Punch Productions

As Sucker Punch Studios gears up for its next project, called the Ghost of Yotei,...

Netflix is adapting Devil May Cry into an anime, and fans are actually really hyped up about it! This long-awaited anime version of Capcom’s legendary action video game is being released on April 3, 2025.

Dante from Devil May Cry anime. | Credit: Studio Mir

What makes it even more special is that it’ll feature one of the last performances of Kevin Conroy, the legendary voice of Batman in Batman: The Animated Series, and countless other DC projects. Conroy, who sadly passed away in November 2022 at 66, is gonna be voicing VP Baines, a new character introduced in this adaptation.

Kevin Conroy’s final performance in Devil May Cry anime: A last gift to fans

Kevin Conroy’s reputation as a voice actor is unparalleled. Best recognized for defining the voice of Batman for more than three decades, his deep, commanding tone became the gold standard for the character. Moreover, his influence...

There is some good news for Steam Deck owners and Assassin’s Creed fans. Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be releasing on the Steam Deck at launch, making it the first Assassin’s Creed game to ever do so.

Ubisoft is optimistic about releasing Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Steam Deck. Image Credit: Ubisoft

However, there are still some complications that need to be figured out, and Ubisoft is currently awaiting classification from Valve since the game is demanding and Steam Deck, at the end of the day, is just a portable console with some hardware limitations.

Steam Deck might have some problems running Assassin’s Creed Shadows Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ release date draws near. Image Credit: Ubisoft

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a demanding game that will need strong hardware backing to run smoothly. It is still not confirmed whether the game is optimized enough to run...

Assassin's Creed is one of the worst video game adaptations of all time, but it has turned into a streaming hit on Max. The 2016 flop starred Michael Fassbender, who was red-hot coming off two excellent X-Men prequels, Marion Cotillard (Inception), and Jeremy Irons (who was in the terrible adaptation of Dungeons and Dragons). It's currently at number two on Max's Top 10 movie list in the United States, and is also in the Top 10 in a few countries worldwide.

The movie is a film adaptation by director Justin Kurzel (The Snowtown Murders) and is based on the popular video game series and follows Cal Lynch / Aguilar (Fassbender), who travels back in time to learn how to be an assassin from his ancestors so he can fight the Templar Knights in the present day. The film is as ridiculous as it sounds, despite the incredible talent appearing on the screen.

It...

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on March 20, promising to bring new layers of stealth to the beloved franchise with its much anticipated Japan setting. While excitement is high, so are players’ doubts. One question running in players’ minds: Can Ubisoft truly nail the stealth experience this time?

The game is set to release on March 20th. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

But here’s the twist, it is not truly reinventing the wheel. Lead producer Karl Onnée revealed that Shadows is borrowing several stealth mechanics from AC Mirage, and ‘improving’ on it. Since Mirage is known for its strong stealth elements, let’s just hope it all comes together like a perfectly executed silent takedown.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows needs to deliver on its Stealth mechanics Players are concerned regarding the stealth mechanics. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Even if a player isn’t a fan of the Assassin’s Creed series,...

Assassin's Creed was a 2016 film based on the Ubisoft game franchise that starred Michael Fassbender as Callum "Cal" Lynch and Aguilar de Nerha, Cal’s ancestor. The story is loosely inspired by the games, but follows its own original story. The movie was intended to be the first in a trilogy that followed Cal’s journey through his own history and his becoming a fully fledged member of The Assassins Order.

At the time of its release, the film was poorly received, with bad reviews from both critics and audiences. Despite this failure during its initial release, the film has gone on to do admirably on streaming services - especially on Max. Currently, the film sits as the sixth most-watched media on Max overall (via FlixPatrol) and the second most-watched film overall just behind last year's psychological horror Heretic. This is good news for Ubisoft ahead of the highly anticipated...

Rise of the Ronin seemed like it could’ve been a refresh of sorts of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Even more so considering that it could compete with Ubisoft’s upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. But like a lot of previous PlayStation exclusives that have made their way to PC, its launch has been far from smooth.

It could’ve been the competitor to Assassin’s Creed Shadows. | Image Credit: Team Ninja

Released a year after its PS5 debut, the PC version came out on Steam on March 10, 2025. And for everyone who waited to play the game, all we’ve gotten is a flood of complaints about poor optimization, stuttering issues, and outdated visuals. With only 44% positive reviews, Rise of the Ronin has joined the growing list of Sony-published titles with bad PC ports.

Rise of the Ronin‘s PC port is just another Sony fumble Why does this keep happening?...

A24's religious-themed horror flick, Heretic, recently landed on Max after an impressive run in theaters, and it's pulling in massive viewership numbers for the streamer.

Per FlixPatrol, Heretic is the most popular film on Max, just days after landing on the streaming service. The Hugh Grant-led film beat out the Oscar-winning animated film Flow, which ranks second on the list, and the recently added video game adaptation Assassin's Creed, which comes in at third. Heretic also ranks third among all movies and television shows on the platform. During its theatrical run, Heretic took home $58 million at the worldwide box office against a reported budget of $10 million. The film received tons of praise from critics upon release, earning a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, while Grant earned some awards recognition for his performances as the villainous Mr. Reed. Grant was nominated at the BAFTA Awards, Critics' Choice Awards, and Golden Globes for his performance.

We all have a checklist when it comes to an Assassin’s Creed game: stealth, a richly detailed setting with a deep, interconnected narrative, and, of course, great characters. So, with Assassin’s Creed Shadows releasing on March 20th, players were naturally expecting just that.

The game is set to launch on March 20. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

However, in a surprising twist, Ubisoft is adding more to the formula and offering something far more ambitious this time around: players will not only experience the thrills of assassination and exploration but also get their own fully customizable hideout.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Hideout system is a bold step forward for the franchise The hideout system is looking to become a fundamental feature of the series. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Yes, you read that right. In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players will have the opportunity to design and build their very own base of operations...

For a long while, video game adaptations were mostly relegated to studio-driven Shlock, whether it’s Assassin’s Creed or Prince of Persia. Thankfully, things have finally changed for the better in recent years, and HBO’s The Last of Us was a shining example of a video game adaptation done right, which makes sense as Neil Druckmann served as a co-creator of the series.

The Last of Us Season 2 | Credits: HBO

With The Last of Us Season 2 inching toward its release, which is set to deal with one of the most impactful narratives from the Aaa space, it’s pretty evident that certain storylines, similar to season 1, will be explored more. One character that could play a major role in Ellie and Joel’s journey is Eugene, who is set to have a much bigger role in contrast to the game.

Eugene’s potential death could push Ellie toward the...