The recently announced Assassin’s Creed Shadows from Ubisoft has already garnered significant attention from the gaming community. Pre-orders for the game are showing great promise, even though it was only revealed to the public last week.

According to Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming, he recently shared some positive news on Twitter, based on information from undisclosed sources. The industry insider claims to not have exact figures at the moment but exudes confidence by asserting that those who are well-informed have not expressed any disappointment with them.

Assassin's Creed Shadows pre-orders are looking very strong. I don't have the exact numbers yet, but no one in the know is disappointed with them.

— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) May 17, 2024

Taking place in feudal Japan, a time and location that fans have eagerly anticipated the series to explore since its inception, it’s a development that comes as no shock. The vast open world of Assassin’s Creed Origins certainly indicates that the series is undergoing some notable changes.

The game allows players to strategically locate and engage their designated adversaries in a flexible manner. The inclusion of vantage points in the game serves to assist players in surveying the environment for noteworthy locations, rather than inundating the map with an excessive number of objective markers. The use of light and darkness will have a crucial impact on the stealth mechanics, drawing inspiration from the tactics employed in Splinter Cell.

Have you already pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed: Shadows? Are you eagerly anticipating the series’ long-awaited voyage to Japan? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

Activision has recently announced the establishment of a new studio, Elsewhere Entertainment, located in Warsaw. The studio has been entrusted with the exciting challenge of creating a groundbreaking AAA franchise that will captivate players with its immersive storytelling and innovative gameplay. A significant number of employees were let go by the large corporation after the completion of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King earlier this year.

According to IGN, Activision made the announcement in a blog post, sharing that the team will be based in Poland with additional resources in the US. The studio has assembled a team of highly skilled individuals who have worked on acclaimed titles such as The Last of Us, Uncharted, The Witcher, Destiny, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy’s The Division.

Activision’s response to IGN’s request for a studio logo or official artwork was rather unconventional. Instead of providing the requested materials, they sent over the Cambridge University dictionary definition of the word “elsewhere.”. However, with a discerning eye, one may catch a glimpse of something lurking in the background. The publication acknowledges that, whatever it may be, it has no connection to Call of Duty. Elsewhere Entertainment has been granted full access to Activision’s extensive resources and cutting-edge tools, enabling them to further enhance their production and development capabilities. We may have to wait a while before we find out what they have in store for us.

Curious about Activision’s latest venture, Elsewhere Entertainment? Opening a new studio after numerous layoffs—is it a tasteless move or simply another harsh reality of the video game industry? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

Last year, we reported that Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser had launched a new studio called Absurd Ventures, with the aim of developing original IP for all platforms and formats. The new outfit has recently started development on a game that boasts top-notch combat and third-person action in a variety of game modes.

This information is available, as Eurogamer discovered, from a recent job listing on the developer’s website. The company is looking for more people to join their team and contribute to an “open-world action-adventure game.”. According to Eurogamer, it seems that the project they are working on is still in its early stages. They are currently in the process of hiring for important positions like lead designer, lead gameplay designer, art director, and technical director.

Absurd Venture is dedicated to crafting immersive narrative experiences across a wide range of mediums, such as games, animation, books, graphic novels, live-action, and scripted podcasts. Their mission is to create captivating worlds, compelling characters, and engaging stories that span diverse genres. The former vice president of writing at Rockstar, who co-wrote both Red Dead Redemption games, has recently joined the studio. Additionally, Lazlow Jones, a former writer and producer at Rockstar, has also come on board.

Are you eagerly anticipating what Absurd Ventures has in store for us in the coming years? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.