The handheld gaming revolution is in full swing, and Ubisoft’s latest announcement regarding Assassin’s Creed Shadows could be the sign that even bigger surprises are on the horizon. With the game’s release so close, players were disappointed to see that it wouldn’t be on the Steam Deck.
However, in a surprising twist, Ubisoft recently revealed that the game will indeed support the Steam Deck at launch. This thrilling news not only excites fans but also raises intriguing possibilities, could this change of heart be due to the rumored Microsoft’s upcoming handheld in 2025?
Ubisoft is taking a bold step with Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Ubisoft’s sudden change of stance regarding Steam Deck support for Assassin’s Creed Shadows has shocked many fans. They are wondering what prompted this change. While there’s no denying that Valve’s handheld is a powerhouse and has also become one of the sought-after devices in gaming.
Many of you have been asking about Steam Deck. We are happy to say that we are supporting Steam Deck at launch and are currently awaiting the level of classification from Valve. More info to come soon.
— Assassin’s Creed (@assassinscreed) March 12, 2025
From any perspective, this is a smart move, as it aligns Ubisoft with the growing demand for handheld gaming experiences, especially for a series as iconic as Assassin’s Creed. It also highlights the increasing trend of major gaming studios embracing handheld devices.
With more titles making their way to portable platforms, it’s clear that this sector of the gaming market is poised to grow even further. For Assassin’s Creed Shadows, this opens the door for even more players to experience the game in a new, flexible way.
While Ubisoft’s announcement is exciting on its own, it also raises an intriguing question: Could this change of face be due to the rumored handheld from Microsoft? If rumors are to be believed, the company could be gearing up to launch a handheld console as soon as 2025.
While these rumors have yet to be confirmed by Microsoft, the sudden confirmation of Steam Deck support for Assassin’s Creed Shadows has certainly added extra fuel to the fire.
What do we know so far about Microsoft’s handheld?
Well, nothing as there is no official statement from Microsoft, but the company’s ongoing investment in cloud gaming and Game Pass makes a potential Xbox handheld console seem like a natural next step, especially considering the handheld’s rising popularity.
With Xbox Game Pass already offering access to a large library of games, including previous Assassin’s Creed titles, the addition of a handheld device would fit seamlessly into the ecosystem the company is trying to create.
Reports (via WindowsCentral) have suggested that the handheld (Codename Kennan) might get released this year. It won’t be a direct product line but will instead be made in partnership with another manufacturer. Since these are leaks and rumors, take them with a grain of salt.
However, if the company does indeed launch a handheld console in 2025, it’s not difficult to imagine Shadows finding its way onto the device, especially considering Ubisoft’s existing support for Game Pass.
In the end, as we approach the release of Shadows on March 20th, fans are eager to dive into the game on their Steam Decks. And while the future of handheld gaming remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the landscape is changing.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
