Assassin’s Creed Shadows Switch 2 Port Technical Rundown Detailed By Ubisoft
By Assassin’s Creed Shadows is launching for the Switch 2 next week, and in advance of its release, Ubisoft has released a “comprehensive overview” on its platform about the technical facets of this adaptation. Here’s the recap:
Frame Rate
To begin with, in both docked and portable configurations, the frame rate aims for 30 fps. The resolution details were omitted here.
Adjusting for Switch 2
Regarding the adaptation of the game for Nintendo’s latest console, the developers state that they have completed considerable “code-level enhancements” to refine and modify the game infrastructure. This encompasses “altering game assets to enhance certain technical facets of quality” without jeopardizing the overall player experience.
“Behind the scenes, we have put in significant effort to ensure the world operates seamlessly while remaining visually captivating and dynamic… For instance, we are employing the same cloud and fabric simulation systems, but we have optimized specific components for the ARM processor and downscaled simulation data as required to lighten GPU demands, all while maintaining visual integrity.”
Although the Switch 2 is compatible with Ray-Traced Global Illumination, the team chose to implement its robust baked Global Illumination system (which it also utilizes for “lower-spec PC configurations and Xbox Series S versions” of titles), mentioning “RAM memory considerations” as the primary reason for this choice. It seemingly enables the developers to sustain the overall experience as much as feasible.
Enhancements
In terms of enhancements – Level of Detail (LOD), draw distances, texture resolution, and element loading were all “meticulously fine-tuned to preserve performance without sacrificing the depth of the world”, with the environmental richness remaining “largely undisturbed”. However, NPC population counts have been diminished in densely populated zones to guarantee “smooth gameplay”.
DLSS
DLSS has also been employed, resulting in a “crisper image, with more precise colors, enhanced textures, and diminished visual irregularities”. Performance is characterized as “smoother, providing higher FPS through upscaling, improved fluidity, and reduced latency”.
Portable and Docked experience
A notable achievement is how “the minimum framerate threshold for VRR is generally 40 fps, yet Assassin’s Creed Shadows operates at 30 fps on Switch 2” and the team “didn’t want to compromise on that aspect”, therefore, it developed a “dedicated algorithm that maintains VRR activated even at 30 fps” to ensure the experience remains as “fluid and responsive as possible”.
Switch 2-exclusive features
Lastly, there are some Switch 2-exclusive features including touch screen navigation for menus and maps. Nintendo aficionados can also anticipate this edition to encompass “all post-launch content” except for the “Claws of Awaji expansion” set to release in 2026. Cross-progression is enabled as well via Ubisoft Connect, allowing you to continue your journey across platforms.
Are you excited about playing this title on the Switch 2? Share your thoughts in the comments.
[source ubisoft.com]