According to a datamine,Assassin’s Creed Shadowsmay be getting a multiplayer mode in the future, which would mark the return of beloved PvP gameplay that’s been absent from the series for over a decade.Shadowshas had tremendous success since its release in March, and there are even indications that it mayreceive a Nintendo Switch 2 portonce the new console is out.
As shown by game modderSliderv2on X (formerly Twitter; viaInsider Gaming),mentions of both “Multiplayer” and “PVP” appear in theAssassin’s Creed Shadowsgame files. Two of the instances are “RED_PVP_Gym” and “RED_PVP_Maps,” which referenceShadows' working title,Codename Red. Sliverv2 says these files appear to be “developer test mapst for Multiplayer and PVP,” though the extent of the unrevealed mode, or if it’s even still in development and planned for release, remains unclear.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Multiplayer Has Been Rumored
Separate From A Standalone Multiplayer AC Project
Insider Gamingpreviously reported thatAC Shadowshad a co-op mode in development, code-namedLEAGUE. This was in October of last year, though, shortly afterShadowshad its release date delayed. The game files suggest that PvP will be possible as well, butUbisoft has not confirmed the existence of any multiplayer coming toShadows. This would be the first time PvP and co-op have featured in the series since 2013 and 2014, respectively, inBlack FlagandUnity.
A standalonemultiplayerAssassin’s Creedgame was previously confirmedto be coming as part of the new Animus Hub. The Animus Hub acts as a companion app through which you can launchACgames, but it also features additional content forShadows.The multiplayer game reportedly has the working titleCodename Invictus, and is under the direction of developers who worked onFor Honor, a long-successful multiplayer melee combat title from Ubisoft.
Assassin’s Creed Multiplayer Needs A Comeback
Assassin’s CreedPvP multiplayer debuted in 2010’sBrotherhood, the second game in theacclaimed Ezio Trilogy, and featured in four total entries. 2015’sAssassin’s Creed Unityso far features the series' only co-op mode, which lets players play through non-main story missions together.The multiplayer mode, PvP specifically, has long been requested to make a comebackby series fans, and it appearsShadowsmay finally grant that wish.
ACPvP is fascinating in its novelty, with game modes typically tasking players with hunting down a specific opponent while attempting to hide from those hunting them, on maps filled with NPCs identical to each player character to blend in with. It’s an interesting mix of stealth, action, and deduction, though there’s no indication if the potentialAssassin’s Creed Shadowsmultiplayer will return in a similar form. Regardless, the game is already set to receive significant post-launch support, including theClaws of Awajiexpansion, which boasts a 10-hour story.
