Despite releasing in tumultuous circumstances for Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed Shadows was a massive hit for the company. With the commercial underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws, the success of Shadows might just have saved the current iteration of Ubisoft.
Shadows has managed the second-most sales ever in the series (after Valhalla), securing it a place among the series' most successful entries. However, one iconic series mainstay was completely absent from Shadows: social stealth.
In the Assassin's Creed universe, you've always been able to integrate into a group of walking and/or talking NPCs as a means of staying unseen. You might think a foreboding, oddly-dressed figure suddenly joining your conversation circle would be a cause for alarm, but actually, there's nothing to worry about, because he's probably hunting the Pope or something.
In a recent ask-me-anything on Reddit (nice spot, GamesRadar+), Ubisoft developers "Simon, Andre & Luc" answered player questions about Shadows and the team's post-launch plans for the title.
One player said they were disappointed to realise social stealth wasn't in Shadows, because they find it "crucial for the identity of the game." Simon responded to the hopeful fan, saying social stealth may return in the future....
