Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will launch on Steam the same day it releases elsewhere, reversing the company’s recent habit of keeping new PC releases off Valve’s storefront at launch. The announcement positions Shadows as a more accessible PC release for players who prefer keeping their libraries and social features on Steam.

### A Notable Shift in Ubisoft’s PC Strategy
For the past few years, Ubisoft frequently prioritized Ubisoft Connect (and, at times, the Epic Games Store) for initial PC distribution, bringing some titles to Steam later or not at all. Putting Shadows on Steam at launch signals a more flexible approach—one that appears designed to widen reach, reduce friction for buyers, and capitalize on Steam’s massive audience.

### What Players Can Expect on PC
While Ubisoft hasn’t framed the move as a full retreat from its own ecosystem, a Steam launch typically still involves Ubisoft Connect integration for account linking, updates, and services. Players can also expect the usual purchasing options around Ubisoft’s ecosystem, including the possibility of accessing the game via Ubisoft+ depending on regional availability and subscription terms.

### Why Steam Matters for a Release Like Shadows
Assassin’s Creed is one of Ubisoft’s biggest franchises, and Steam remains the dominant marketplace for PC game discovery, community features, and wishlisting. A day-one release can translate into stronger visibility, better momentum through user reviews and recommendations, and fewer barriers for players who prefer Steam’s refund policy and platform features.

### Actus Gaming Take
This is a pragmatic move from Ubisoft at a time when publishers are increasingly re-evaluating exclusivity and storefront fragmentation. For players, it means a simpler buying decision and fewer hoops to jump through; for Ubisoft, it’s a chance to maximize launch-day impact for a tentpole release instead of leaving a chunk of the PC audience on the sidelines.

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