Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest instalment in the popular stealth-action series, will be available on Mac from day one. This follows the game’s initial pre-registration phase in January, which included Mac users. As the release date approaches, Ubisoft is sticking to its promise, ensuring a simultaneous launch across macOS, PC, and consoles.
The news was first revealed at Apple’s WWDC 2024, with the original release date set for November 15 last year. However, a series of delays raised concerns about whether all platforms would see the game at launch. Now, Ubisoft has reassured fans that no platform is being left behind, with Assassin’s Creed Shadows set to debut later this month.
Optimised for Apple’s M-series chips
The Assassin’s Creed series hasn’t always been consistently available on Apple devices, but Ubisoft planned the Mac release of Shadows from the start. The game runs on Ubisoft’s proprietary Anvil engine and uses Apple’s Metal 3 API to deliver high-performance graphics. It is natively optimised for M-series chips, dating back to the M1, and will support real-time ray tracing on newer M3 and M4 models.
This launch aligns with Apple’s growing push to make Mac gaming more appealing. In recent years, major titles like Death Stranding and Resident Evil Village have arrived on macOS, with Cyberpunk 2077 expected to follow. However, it remains rare for a major AAA title to launch on Mac from day one. Ubisoft is changing that by making Assassin’s Creed Shadows one of the first to receive a simultaneous Mac release. However, some may argue that other games, such as Baldur’s Gate 3 with its early access period, have already achieved a similar milestone.
Release details and platforms
Set in 16th-century Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows follows two protagonists—Naoe, a skilled assassin, and Yasuke, a samurai based on the real-life African warrior of the same name. The game is set to launch on March 20 for M-series Macs through the Mac App Store, alongside releases on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft’s own platform. It is currently available for pre-order on Ubisoft’s website for US$94.90.
The game will also be available through the Ubisoft+ subscription service. Additionally, Ubisoft has announced plans for an iPad release for models equipped with M-series chips, though no specific launch date has been provided for the iPad version.
