With only a month until release, excitement will be steadily growing among fans who are ready to get their hands onAssassin’s Creed Shadows. Set in feudal Japan,Shadowsgrants the player the option to complete missions with one of two characters, each with their own abilities and anemphasis on stealthor combat that adds a sense of variety and replay value to the overall experience. WhileShadowswill be available across multiple platforms, players on Xbox and PC will be wondering if the title will make its way to the Game Pass service upon release.
It’s no secret that Xbox Game Pass has been heavily pushed by Microsoft over the past few years. Its huge library of instantly accessible games has helped Game Pass to become a convenient and cost-effective way to play some of the biggest titles available. Moreover, the day-one additions of hugely popular titles from a range of publishers have only boosted the service’s appeal as the premier location for the latest in gaming. With that in mind, it’d be safe to assume that a highly-anticipated title likeAssassin’s Creed Shadowscould make its way to the service upon launch.
AC Shadows Won’t Be On Xbox Game Pass (Yet)
There’s Still Hope For The Game To Be Added In The Future
Unfortunately,Assassin’s Creed Shadowswill not be making its way to Xbox Game Pass upon release, with no plans announced for the game to be added in the future. This will be disappointing for Game Pass members who want to try out the latestAssassin’s Creedtitle at no extra cost. However, there’s always a chance thatShadowswill come to Game Pass in the future. A service that prides itself on its stellar line-up will surely want to add a hugely-anticipated game likeShadowsfor members, even if it can’t be at launch.
It’s also worth noting thattheAssassin’s Creedfranchise currently has a big presence on Game Pass. As of January 2025, the service currently grants members access to some of the latest entries in the series, includingOrigins,OdysseyandValhalla. Considering the series' presence on the service, and Microsoft’s push for Game Pass in general, there’s a lot to suggestShadowscould eventually make its way over to the service.
When Assassin’s Creed Shadows Releases On Xbox
Fans Don’t Have Much Longer To Wait
Of course, for players on Xbox who will want to get their hands onAssassin’s Creed Shadows, regardless of its presence on Game Pass, they will be able to purchase the title in full whenit launches on February 14 on Xbox Series X/S. The game wasdelayed from its initial 2024 releaseback in September, which saw Ubisoft issue refunds to players who had pre-orderedShadowsbefore the delay. During this tumultuous period,Ubisoft had canceled plans to grant three days of early accessto players who purchased the Deluxe or Collector’s Edition ofShadows.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gold, Ultimate, & Collector’s Edition Differences
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has plenty of bonus content included across several special editions and is available for pre-order now.
While both the delay ofShadowsand the removal of early access were both devastating for fans eager to jump into the nextAssassin’s Creed game, the extra time will surely help the new entry to fulfill the high expectations that have accumulated over time. Thankfully, there are only a few weeks left until players get to find out what the latest installment of the famed series has to offer. And, whileAssassin’s Creed Shadowsmay not be heading to Xbox Game Pass at launch, there’s still a chance that the title could make its way to the service in the future.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Set during Japan’s Sengoku period, two distinct protagonists—Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai—must navigate political intrigue and violent clashes between the Assassins and Templars. Players can switch between stealthy, shadow-based gameplay with Naoe and Yasuke’s direct combat approach, exploring the duality of their missions in a beautifully rendered open world.
