Assassin's Creed Shadows: No Second Major Expansion – Ubisoft Shifts to 2026 Updates

Ubisoft has officially confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not receive a second major expansion, abandoning plans for a follow-up to the September 2025-released “Claws of Awaji.” The decision, revealed by Associate Director Simon Lemay-Comtois in an interview with YouTuber JorRaptor, marks a significant shift in the game’s post-launch strategy—trading large-scale DLC for more frequent, “chunkier” updates throughout 2026, despite strong sales and positive reception for its first expansion.

Official Confirmation & Key Statement

Lemay-Comtois left no ambiguity about the change: “As of now, at this moment for Year Two, there is no expansion on the size of Awaji that is planned, currently.” He emphasized the team’s ongoing commitment to supporting the game, noting that resources are being redirected to deliver more regular, focused content rather than infrequent, large-scale story DLC. This pivot departs from Ubisoft’s traditional approach to Assassin’s Creed titles, which typically featured multiple major expansions (e.g., Valhalla’s “Wrath of the Druids” and “The Siege of Paris”) following launch.

Context: From Season Pass Cancellation to Awaji’s Reception

The news comes after a series of shifts in Shadows’ post-launch roadmap. Initially marketed with a Season Pass promising multiple DLCs, Ubisoft later canceled the pass—with “Claws of Awaji” becoming the sole major expansion. The feudal Japan-set add-on, which added roughly 10 hours of storyline content and new gameplay mechanics, was well-received by players and critics alike. Notably, the decision to scrap a second expansion arrives despite Shadows’ strong sales performance since its February 2025 launch, suggesting the move is strategic rather than performance-driven.

Why the Shift? Ubisoft’s Post-Launch Strategy

While Ubisoft hasn’t detailed exact reasons, the pivot aligns with broader industry trends toward agile, player-responsive support. Key factors likely include a desire to address community feedback more quickly through smaller updates, reduce development timelines for post-launch content, and experiment with alternative monetization models following the Season Pass cancellation. Lemay-Comtois’ reference to “chunkier” updates implies a focus on meaningful gameplay improvements, customization options, and potential new modes—prioritizing quality over the scale of traditional DLC.

What’s Next for AC Shadows in 2026?

Though a second major expansion is off the table, Ubisoft has pledged continued support for Year 2: Regular title updates (the latest being Version 1.1.6 on November 25, 2025) will bring quality-of-life tweaks, new quests, and mini-events at no extra cost. The team is also prioritizing gameplay enhancements based on player feedback, alongside platform expansion—including a Nintendo Switch 2 port launching in early December 2025. For players seeking more story content, “Claws of Awaji” remains available as a standalone purchase, wrapping up the game’s core narrative arcs.

Impact on Players

Season Pass purchasers, who initially expected multiple DLCs, have received refunds or alternative compensation, plus full access to “Claws of Awaji.” For all players, the decision means the game’s storyline will not expand beyond existing content and upcoming smaller updates—no new major story arcs or open-world zones are planned. However, the shift to frequent updates promises a more polished, community-driven experience, with the team able to adapt to feedback faster than with large-scale DLC development.

Franchise-Wide Implications

Shadows’ post-launch pivot signals a potential new direction for the Assassin’s Creed franchise. After years of relying on Season Passes and multi-part expansions, Ubisoft is testing a more flexible model that balances content frequency with player needs. If successful, this approach could become standard for future entries, prioritizing ongoing refinement over extended narrative expansions. For now, Shadows joins titles like Far Cry 6 and Watch Dogs: Legion in Ubisoft’s growing list of games moving away from traditional post-launch DLC structures.

For fans still invested in Shadows, the focus now shifts to 2026’s regular updates and the upcoming Switch 2 port—while “Claws of Awaji” stands as the game’s definitive narrative expansion. As Ubisoft refines its strategy, the decision underscores a broader industry shift toward putting player feedback and iterative improvement at the forefront of post-launch support.