Assassin’s Creed Shadows Unveils Enhanced Anvil Engine with New Technology Insights

Ubisoft Unveils New Tech Showcase for Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In an exciting development, Ubisoft recently released a video highlighting the advancements in the Anvil Engine, showcased in the latest installment of the Assassin’s Creed series, entitled Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This presentation aligns with insights we previously shared in our Gamescom 2024 coverage and the recent PC specifications announcement.

Key Features of Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is packed with groundbreaking features, including:

Dynamic Seasons: Experience the game world transform with the seasons.
Environmental Destruction: Realistic damage mechanics enhance immersion.
Dynamic Weather Effects: Wind and environmental particles add a new layer of realism.
Ray Tracing: Enjoy advanced global illumination and reflections.
Nanite-like Virtualized Geometry: Experience finer details without sacrificing performance.

PC Specifications and Enhancements

PC gamers can look forward to several enhancements, such as:

Uncapped frame rates and support for Ultra-wide resolutions.
Dynamic resolution scaling and an in-game benchmark tool for performance optimization.
Extensive graphical and gameplay customization options.
Support for a range of systems, including low- and mid-range configurations.
Integration of upscaling technologies, including Intel XeSS 2, optimized for Intel Core Ultra processors.

Technical Insights from the Community

Ubisoft has been engaging with fans through platforms like Reddit, addressing various technical inquiries about the game:

Expect a 4K upscale at 60 FPS in Performance Mode for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X, though no enhancements were mentioned for the PS5 Pro.
The selective ray tracing feature will apply effects primarily to Hideouts, with the open world remaining unaffected.
Weather dynamics are enhanced with an advanced physics-based system that simulates natural cloud formations and fluid transitions between weather states.
Stealth mechanics are influenced by environmental factors; rain can muffle footsteps, while seasonal changes alter visibility and hiding spots.
Destruction mechanics have been optimized within the updated Anvil Engine, merging objects to minimize CPU load while maximizing GPU utilization.
Players on PC can adjust the field of view (FOV) between 85% to 115% and toggle motion blur on or off.
It’s important to note that the game isn’t compatible with the Steam Deck due to its hardware specifications.
Cross-save and cross-progression features will be available across platforms.
Purchasing the game via Steam does not require the Ubisoft launcher.

macOS Specifications Released

Additionally, Ubisoft has provided the official macOS specifications, indicating support for various ray tracing presets and chip compatibility:

SOFTWARE			SELECTIVE RAY TRACING			STANDARD RAY TRACING
PRESET	LOW	MEDIUM	HIGH	LOW	MEDIUM	HIGH
RESOLUTION / FPS USING DYNAMIC RESOLUTION AND METALFX	720P AT 30 FPS	1080P AT 30 FPS	1440P AT 30 FPS	720P AT 30 FPS	1080P AT 30 FPS	1440P AT 30 FPS
CHIP	M1 MAX	M1 ULTRA	M2 ULTRA	M3	M4	M3 PRO	M4 PRO	M3 MAX

Pre-Order and Launch Details

Pre-orders for Assassin’s Creed Shadows are now open ahead of its launch scheduled for March 20, 2024. Ubisoft has opted to delay the game’s release twice to steer clear of the pitfalls experienced by some recent titles such as Star Wars Outlaws.

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