Assassin's Creed Valhalla will be released later this year, and sooner than before – at least that's for sure. However, Ubisoft does not have a specific date in the trailer, although you can of course pre-order six different versions of the game.
In the English version it only says "Holiday 2020", in the German variant, however, »end of 2020«. We analyze what exactly is behind it and what release date we expect.
Our expert
GameStar editor-in-chief Heiko Klinge was responsible for the industry magazine Making Games from 2005 to 2015. In this role, he got a lot of insight into the development and marketing of computer and video games. He has always been interested in the economic context, which is at least a reasonably plausible explanation for why he actually did a banking apprenticeship before joining GameStar in 2000.
Why doesn't Ubisoft give a specific appointment?
The most likely answer to this question is behind a logo at the very end (minute 3:55) of the trailer: Xbox Series X. Ubisoft already confirms with the announcement of Assassin's Creed Valhalla that their action adventure is not just for the current console generation, but also for the Xbox Series and the PlayStation 5.
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The first trailer for Assassin's Creed Valhalla creates a Viking atmosphere
The French publisher is not bringing this stunt to its most successful series for the first time: On November 22, 2013, exactly 23 titles were released for the launch of Xbox One – and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag was one of them. Having a launch title is generally highly attractive for a publisher, not only economically, but also for image reasons.
Accordingly, we bet the Torfrock record collection from our editor-in-chief Northern Lights and Viking fan Heiko that Assassin's Creed Valhalla will also be a launch title – at least for the Xbox Series X, but possibly also for the PlayStation 5.
And since the specific launch dates of the consoles have not yet been communicated or may not even have been fixed due to the effects of the corona crisis, Ubisoft simply cannot give a fixed date.
How likely is a shift?
Following the negative response from fans and critics of Ghost Recon: Wildlands, Ubisoft pulled the emergency brake and, with Watch Dogs 3, Gods & Monsters and Rainbow Six Quarantine, moved three titles at short notice. Does Assassin's Creed Valhalla face a similar fate?
We are certain: No! For one thing, the damage would be enormous to miss the chance of a console launch title. The trailer also suggests that there is a closer partnership between Microsoft and Ubisoft in action adventure. And close partnerships usually only come w ith guarantees – such as a contractual promise to keep a certain date.
On the other hand, the development risk for Assassin's Creed Valhalla is much more manageable than for the postponed Ubisoft titles. Because the basic concept, including the installation of the in-game shop, has been proven since Assassin's Creed: Origins, which was developed by the Valhalla team. The published screenshots of the Reveal may be provided, but show that the title is already at least technically advanced.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla – view screenshots
And in our exclusive Plus cover story for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, creative director Ashrah Ismail made it relatively clear that it's more of an evolution of the series than a revolution. We estimate the risk of displacement of Assassin's Creed Valhalla to be negligible.
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Exclusive Plus cover story for Assassin's Creed Valhalla
And when is the specific release for PC, PS5 and Xbox?
Holiday Season is a synonym for the so-called Christmas business, i.e. the time when people buy their Christmas gifts. For the authors of these lines, this would be December 23, but in the definition of retail it is November and December. So if you want to take the entire Christmas business with you as best as possible, you should publish your product no later than mid-November.
And, oh wonder: The Xbox One was released in Germany on November 22, 2013, the PlayStation 4 followed a week later on November 29, 2013 – both on Fridays.
If you now bring together all the evidence and look at the 2020 calendar, there is a lot to be said for you Assassin's Creed Valhalla releases on November 13th, 20th or 27th 2020.
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Assassin's Creed Valhalla: All editions at a glance, but not on Steam
And since Ubisoft's partner Mircosoft is currently doing everything it can to bring Xbox and PC players together, we are confident that the release date of the version for the Xbox Series X will also be the release date for the PC.
