Ubisoft has announced substantial changes to the Collector’s Edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, following the game’s unexpected postponement to February 14, 2025. The revision marks a notable shift in the publisher’s approach to premium editions and pre-order incentives, reflecting the impact of the game’s delayed release.
The most immediate change comes in the form of a price reduction, with the Collector’s Edition now set to retail at $230/€240 for console versions and $230/€230 for PC, representing approximately a $50 decrease from its original pricing. This adjustment comes primarily due to the removal of the previously included season pass, which has been completely scrapped from the game’s post-launch plans.
In a significant departure from traditional premium edition perks, the Collector’s Edition will no longer offer the three-day early access period that had become a standard feature for deluxe versions of major game releases. Instead, all players, regardless of their chosen edition, will begin their journey through feudal Japan simultaneously on the official release date of February 14, 2025.
The revised Collector’s Edition maintains most of its physical collectibles, though Ubisoft has indicated that some design elements may be subject to change. The package still includes an impressive array of items that should appeal to dedicated fans: a detailed character statue, a premium Steelbook case, an artbook, Naoe’s katana tsuba (sword guard), a world map, a decorative scroll, and two lithographs. However, the company’s note about potential design changes has sparked speculation about possible adjustments to the artbook, which had previously drawn attention for containing some historical inaccuracies in its concept art.
In what appears to be a gesture of goodwill toward loyal fans affected by the delay, Ubisoft has announced that all players who pre-order the game will receive the first expansion pack at no additional cost. This offer is supplemented by access to an exclusive bonus quest available at launch, providing additional content to early supporters of the title.
The announcement comes at a particularly sensitive time for the project, following recent controversy surrounding a separate Assassin’s Creed Shadows collectible statue. An independent company producing licensed merchandise was forced to withdraw their statue from production after acknowledging issues with an “insensitive design,” though this incident is unrelated to the items included in the official Collector’s Edition.
These changes reflect the broader impact of the game’s delay, which was announced last month in a move that surprised both industry observers and fans alike. The postponement led to the unprecedented step of canceling existing pre-orders, suggesting a significant overhaul of the game’s content and structure might be underway.
The decision to remove the season pass entirely from the game’s offerings represents a notable shift in Ubisoft’s post-launch content strategy for the title. This change could indicate a different approach to downloadable content for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, though the company has yet to detail their revised plans for supporting the game after its release.
Communication about these changes has been handled primarily through the official Assassin’s Creed Discord channel, where the company has maintained an open dialogue with its community. While some fans have expressed disappointment about the removal of early access and the season pass, the price reduction and free expansion offer have been generally well-received as fair compensations.
The restructuring of the Collector’s Edition package reflects the complex challenges publishers face when balancing premium offerings with development delays. As Assassin’s Creed Shadows continues its extended development period, all eyes will be on Ubisoft to see how they maintain enthusiasm for what remains one of their most anticipated releases of 2025.
For fans who had their pre-orders canceled, Ubisoft has promised to provide detailed information about new pre-order opportunities in the coming months, ensuring that collectors will have ample time to secure their preferred edition before the February 2025 launch.
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