Assassin's Creed Shadows Confirmed for Steam Deck – Ubisoft Reverses Earlier Stance

Nishar

Mar 14, 2025

Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin's Creed Shadows will be compatible with the Steam Deck at launch — a surprising shift after earlier reports suggested that the game’s hardware demands might exceed the device’s capabilities. This news comes as a relief for handheld gaming fans eager to experience the next chapter in the Assassin’s Creed series on the go.

Ubisoft’s Change in Stance

Initially, Ubisoft’s technical director had stated that the Steam Deck wouldn’t meet the game’s minimum system requirements, raising doubts about its playability on the device. However, in a recent update shared through the official Assassin's Creed channels, Ubisoft confirmed that they have successfully optimized the game to run on the Steam Deck.

Valve is now reviewing the game for official classification, which means it could soon be labeled as either "Verified" or "Playable" on the Steam Deck store. This marks a significant turnaround, considering the graphical intensity and complex open-world nature of Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Technical Challenges and Optimizations

Bringing Assassin's Creed Shadows to the Steam Deck wasn’t a simple task. The game features high-end graphics and complex mechanics, which posed a challenge for the Steam Deck’s hardware. Ubisoft’s engineering team has worked to scale down certain settings and improve performance without compromising the core visual experience.

The successful optimization reflects Ubisoft’s growing focus on expanding accessibility and ensuring that more players can engage with their games across various platforms.

Community Reactions

The announcement has been well-received by the gaming community, especially among Steam Deck owners who were concerned about missing out on the latest installment. The ability to play a major AAA release like Assassin's Creed Shadows on a handheld device highlights the growing versatility of the Steam Deck and the increasing willingness of developers to support it.

Why This Matters

Ubisoft's decision to support the Steam Deck for a major release like Assassin's Creed Shadows sets a positive precedent for future AAA titles. It shows that handheld gaming is becoming a viable option even for graphically intensive open-world games.

With Assassin's Creed Shadows launching on March 20, 2025, Steam Deck users now have another reason to be excited about the future of portable gaming.