Players who choose to go with a physical copy of the recently announced Assassin’s Creed Shadows will need an Internet connection in order to finish the installation. This is unlikely to pose a problem for most Ubisoft fans, but it does align with a trend that is worth mentioning. It follows a requirement that was initially introduced in 2023’s Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and will also be the case with the upcoming Star Wars Outlaws.

As reported by VGC, pre-orders for the game are now available, and a notice on the front box art at retailers such as Best Buy and GameStop states: “Internet connection is necessary for game installation.” For Avatar, players had to install a day-one patch before being able to start the game. However, both Shadows and Outlaws come with a warning prominently displayed on the front of the box.

The lack of a clear explanation for this requirement raises concerns about the long-term preservation of the game, particularly if the servers are eventually shut down. In December, Ubisoft made the decision to delist the original The Crew, effectively ending its run. This unfortunate event may not be the last time we see a game meet a similar fate.

What are your thoughts on Ubisoft’s requirement of an online connection for the installation of its flagship games? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

According to a recent report, it appears that Satya Nadella, the head of Microsoft, is eager to expand the availability of Xbox games on the PlayStation platform in the near future. Sea of Thieves achieved instant success on Sony’s platform, which was seen as a significant test. It appears that Microsoft leadership is determined to remove any barriers that would prevent their most valuable IP, such as Halo and Gears of War, from being available on competing platforms.

According to Jez Corden’s report (with thanks to Eurogamer for the information), an operation known as “Latitude” is currently in progress. This initiative aims to expand the availability of Xbox IP on PlayStation and Nintendo platforms, aligning with the strategic goals set by Nadella and CFO Amy Hood to enhance profitability across all divisions. Microsoft leadership is in favor of the strategy, which aims to have no internal restrictions and consider all options when pursuing the initiative. There has been some debate and unease within the company due to this directive, and it seems that more Microsoft-owned games are being considered for release on the PlayStation.

It’s astonishing how quickly this whole situation is unfolding, isn’t it? Which titles do you believe would be the most logical to be brought over next? We would greatly appreciate your feedback in the comments section below.

 

Street Fighter 6, the highly anticipated brawler from Capcom, is set to receive significant balance adjustments coinciding with the arrival of Akuma on May 22nd. The trailer above offers a glimpse of the latest updates, highlighting the introduction of an exciting new wakeup drive reversal mechanic. This provides players with a valuable tool for countering combos, particularly in situations where they find themselves cornered on the screen.

The trailer showcases a plethora of fresh combat options for almost every character, hinting at potential nerfs to balance out the buffs that are being showcased. It’s safe to say that not everyone will be pleased with the changes, especially if beloved characters are being toned down. However, we’ll have to wait for the response from the competitive community to truly gauge the impact.

The release of Akuma will mark the end of the first season of content for the game, and fans can anticipate an announcement regarding the second season in the coming summer months.