Ubisoft's associate game director for Assassin's Creed Shadows has acknowledged that recent RPG-style entries in the series fell short on parkour mechanics. Future titles will treat parkour as a core pillar to restore the fluid movement fans remember from earlier games. This shift comes after post-launch updates addressed criticisms in Shadows and Mirage.
Director's Admission on Parkour Shortcomings
Simon Lemay-Comtois, associate game director at Ubisoft Quebec for Assassin's Creed Shadows, has openly stated that the game's parkour system, along with those in other RPG-era Assassin's Creed titles, did not meet expectations. He pointed to reduced verticality in open-world designs as a key factor that diminished the need for seamless traversal, leading to stiffer movement that disappointed players.
In an interview with GamesRadar, Lemay-Comtois emphasized the importance of reevaluating this aspect: "Pay more attention to parkour in future games as its own pillar." He added that the team is working to improve it through updates for Shadows and is advocating internally for a stronger emphasis moving forward: "We’re trying to rectify that in post-launch with Shadows and push that narrative internally to say, parkour matters. Let’s really push parkour forward."
Implications for Future Titles
This renewed focus aims to recapture the essence of classic Assassin's Creed games, where parkour was central to exploration and combat. Upcoming projects, including Assassin's Creed Jade, Assassin's Creed Hexe, and a rumored remake of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, are expected to integrate more natural and nostalgic parkour experiences. While Shadows and Mirage have received enhancements since launch, the director's comments signal a broader commitment across the franchise to prioritize this mechanic.
The acknowledgment highlights Ubisoft's response to fan feedback amid controversies surrounding Shadows, ensuring that traversal remains a highlight rather than an afterthought in the series' evolution.