Ubisoft’s highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows will officially support Valve’s Steam Deck at launch, the studio announced today. The revelation comes as a major win for handheld gamers, ensuring that the feudal Japan-set RPG will be optimized for portable play right out of the gate.
In a tweet from the official Assassin’s Creed account, Ubisoft shared the news alongside a sleek screenshot of the game running on the Steam Deck. “Warriors, ready your blades—Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be Steam Deck verified at launch,” the post read. The announcement, embedded below, quickly sparked excitement across social media
According to Ubisoft, the title has been tailored to leverage the Steam Deck’s hardware, with optimized performance settings targeting stable frame rates and adaptive resolution scaling. Players can expect streamlined controls, seamless cloud saves, and graphics presets designed to balance visual fidelity with battery life—a critical consideration for handheld users.
This marks a notable shift for the franchise, as previous entries like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla required post-launch updates and community tweaks to run smoothly on the Steam Deck. By prioritizing handheld compatibility from day one, Ubisoft appears to be embracing the growing demand for portable PC gaming. Valve’s device has surged in popularity since its 2022 debut, with developers increasingly optimizing titles for its unique form factor.
“Bringing Shadows to Steam Deck at launch aligns with our goal of meeting players wherever they are,” said a Ubisoft spokesperson in a follow-up statement. “Feudal Japan is a vibrant, dynamic world, and we want fans to experience it whether they’re at home or on the move.”
The decision also reflects broader industry trends, as companies like ASUS (ROG Ally) and Lenovo (Legion Go) continue expanding the handheld market. For Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which blends stealth, exploration, and a dual protagonist system, Steam Deck support could further broaden its appeal.
Set to launch on November 15, 2024, Assassin’s Creed Shadows promises a rich narrative centered on a ninja and a samurai during the turbulent Sengoku period. Pre-orders are now live, with Ubisoft confirming cross-progression between PC and consoles.
For now, aspiring shinobi and wandering warriors can rest assured: their journey through 16th-century Japan won’t be tethered to a desk.