Remember Assassin’s Creed: Infinity?
Ubisoft’s highly anticipated launcher was meant to be an exciting hub for all things Assassin’s Creed—a welcome entry point for new players to familiarize themselves with the franchise. Many speculated that this ambitious project could redefine the series.
It launched alongside Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, and what I was introduced to wasn’t exactly what I expected. It’s…weird.
First reported in 2021 by Jason Schreier at Bloomberg, Assassin’s Creed: Infinity was envisioned as a way to bring all AC titles under one roof—a launcher that could seamlessly integrate multiple games. Rumors suggested it would launch alongside Shadows, and it did. But the result? Something I didn’t particularly like.
According to Ubisoft’s FAQ, Infinity is exclusively available for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and isn’t a standalone launcher. Instead, it serves as a diegetic in-game menu before booting up Shadows, essentially replacing the modern-day storyline Ubisoft has slowly phased out. (Players can sift through the Animus files in the Hub and get modern-day lore, but that’s about it for now.)
To be fair, Ubisoft did mention in a 2022 IGN interview that Infinity—or the Animus Hub, as the game calls it—is a work in progress. What we’re seeing in Shadows is just the beginning, far from the team’s final vision.
Since it’s designed as a live-service feature, Infinity is also where Ubisoft funnels most of the in-game currency spending. Players can purchase skins, packs, and other cosmetics through the store. It’s part of Ubisoft’s gradual shift away from UPlay, aiming to make each Assassin’s Creed game feel more immersive within its sci-fi “Matrix” setup.
The best part? It’s completely free, even the Battle Pass-like setup and its resources. But knowing Ubisoft, I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually introduce some kind of monetization—like charging for Keys, the earnable in-game currency used for cosmetics. These Keys (and other resources) can be found throughout Shadows’ Feudal Japan, blending into the simulation with their anomalous design.
It’s a Nice Change…But Not Enough
I’ll admit, the Infinity startup animation is visually impressive, and it’s a refreshing change from the usual sluggish menus. But I expected more.
Right now, it feels too limited. I was hoping for seamless transitions between all the RPG-era Assassin’s Creed games without having to close and reopen each one. But that’s not the case. Playing Valhalla or Odyssey still requires launching them as separate apps, with no smooth transition into their simulations. (Note: You have to install said games on your platform first.)
Ubisoft is aware of this and has confirmed plans to expand Infinity with more Assassin’s Creed titles. Hopefully, that means we’ll eventually see older characters like Ezio, Altair, and Connor integrated into the system.
For now, Infinity is still missing key features, and that’s why I find it weird. But I’m excited to see how it evolves in the coming months. It’s a fun little gimmick that fits well within the Assassin’s Creed lore—I just hope it grows into something truly worthy of the hype.