Star Wars Outlaws and Assassin’s Creed Shadows Reveal New Gameplay, XDefiant Season 1 Details Announced

Ubisoft Forward 2024's showcase on June 10 revealed fresh gameplay for upcoming releases, announced new games, and teased what's to come for established titles. In case you missed the show, we've got you covered. Here's everything presented at Ubisoft Forward 2024.

Star Wars Outlaws™ New Gameplay Showcase

In a new Star Wars Outlaws™ gameplay showcase, emerging scoundrel Kay Vess heads to Tatooine to track down an expert gunslinger to upgrade her skills with a blaster. In order to survive and get around quickly during the golden age of the underworld, Kay will need to pick up new skills from elusive experts scattered across the galaxy. The gameplay video also provides a closer look at Mos Eisley, the legendary hive of scum and villainy that has been faithfully recreated and expanded for Star Wars Outlaws, giving fans access to parts of the iconic city never seen before.

Star Wars Outlaws launches on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC via Ubisoft Connect on August 30, and can be played up to three days early starting August 27 with a Ubisoft+ Premium subscription or by preordering the Gold Edition or Ultimate Edition. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows Shows Off New Combat and Gameplay

Assassin's Creed Shadows, launching on November 15, showed off an extended gameplay sequence during Ubisoft Forward. The video highlighted both playable characters and their unique combat styles: Yasuke dominating through speed and power, while Naoe uses stealth and tools to take out enemies from the shadows. The video also showed off the dynamic world of feudal Japan, including the shifting seasons and weather that will affect gameplay. For more details, check out our gameplay walkthrough video with Game Director Charles Benoit and Art Director Thierry Dansereau.  

Anno 117: Pax Romana Coming in 2025

The Anno franchise is going deeper into the past in Anno 117: Pax Romana. Launching in 2025, the newest city-building installment will challenge players to create their own empire in the time of Ancient Rome. Anno 117: Pax Romana is designed to be the biggest, most detailed Roman simulation to date, allowing players to build aqueducts, coliseums, and more as they expand their reach to distant shores.

Just Dance VR Coming October 15

The Just Dance franchise is getting even more immersive when Just Dance VR: Welcome to Dancity launches on October 15 for Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, and Meta Quest 3. Now, players can dance to songs like "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen, "Bad Liar" by Selena Gomez, and "Starships" by Nicki Minaj, among others. Just Dance VR will also feature Dancity, a social hub where players around the world can come together and play minigames or show off their customized avatars.

XDefiant Season 1 Coming July 2

During Ubisoft Forward, the XDefiant team teased the new content coming when Season 1 begins on July 2. XDefiant Season 1 will feature one new faction, GSK; one new game mode, Capture the Flag; three new weapons; and three new maps, Clubhouse, Daytona, and Rockefeller, which will roll out monthly. For more details, be sure to tune in to the next installment of the XDefiant YouTube series, XDebrief, on July 1.

The Division 2 Year 6 Season 1 "First Rogue" Releases June 11

SHD Agents got a sneak peek at what's to come in The Division 2 with a first look at Year 6 Season 1, First Rogue, releasing on June 11. In a return to Washington, DC, Division Agents are tasked with tracking down Agent Kelso. Aaron Keener is alive and on the move, but tracking him down will prove difficult, and cast a murky light on his true allegiances.

In addition to a new story, First Rogue will introduce a new approach to the endgame and seasonal progression. Starting June 11, all The Division 2 players will be able to get their characters to Level 40 without needing to own the Warlords of New York expansion. Once they hit Level 40, all players will get access to past game content, including weapons and gear, manhunts, game modes, and more. To help the leveling up process, First Rogue brings Seasons 2.0 to the game, a new progression system that allows players to create a season-specific character, thereby letting them experiment with new builds and create a fresh experience each season.

To celebrate First Rogue's release, The Division 2 will have a Free Weekend from June 13-17. Those who buy the game during or after the Free Weekend will be able to carry over all their progress.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora First DLC Out July 16

The Sky Breaker, the first story pack for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, will launch on July 16, introducing a new threat to Pandora. When the Na'vi clans gather to celebrate their great festival of games, a mysterious shadow appears in the sky. As you fight against the new RDA threat, you'll explore a new area with fresh and familiar biomes, The Heart of the Plains; face off against the new gatling gun-wielding AMP Defender; and encounter new RDA Lieutenants who boast enhanced AMP Suits. You'll also be able to participate in the festival of games by competing in timed challenges.

Three Prince of Persia Announcements

During Ubisoft Forward, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown revealed an upcoming DLC, Mask of Darkness, which will bring a new story to Mount Qaf. Additionally, the Divine Trials update launched today, allowing players to dive into 22 new expert challenges in the game, accessible through the Hall of Memorials in the Haven.

The Rogue Prince of Persia, currently in Early Access and slated to launch in 2025, also released the Temple of Fire title update today, the first free major update to the game. Temple of Fire adds a new biome, two new enemies, and a new weapon, as well as the Meta Progression Skill Tree. Finally, the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake announced it will launch in 2026.

The Crew Motorfest Adds a New Island in Year 2

The Crew Motorfest is revving things up when Year 2 kicks off in November with Season 5, starting with a brand-new playground: the volcanic island of Maui. Maui adds over 100 square kilometers of Hawaiian scenic beauty to explore, including the Haleakalā National Park and the Ohe'o Gulch Sacred Pools. The game is also adding a premium PvE experience called The Chase Squad, in which players team up to learn the art of the chase, taking part in a quest to track, outsmart, and outmaneuver their racing rivals across the island. Season 5 will also bring back the fan favorite Made in Japan Playlist, now with brand-new races, events, and locations.

BattleCore Arena Out Now in Early Access

BattleCore Arena, the free-to-play PvP platform shooter, is out now in Early Access on PC through Ubisoft Connect, the Epic Games Store, and Steam. In the game, players control a spherical Core and must maneuver through battlegrounds with a range of gravitational pulls to eject their opponents from the game and secure victory. Currently, BattleCore Arena has three game modes, with more planned in upcoming seasons. Additionally, those who dive into the fun between now and June 13 will unlock an exclusive First Wave banner.

New Monopoly Game Coming in September

A next-generation digital take on Monopoly is set to launch this September for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC through the Ubisoft Store, the Epic Games Store, and Steam. Now, the classic tabletop experience is brought to life as players can look at and explore a dynamic neighborhood as they move around the board, uncovering hidden tokens and Mr. Monopoly along the way. And, in an homage to real-life frustrations Monopoly can bring, players will be able to flip the digital board.

Monopoly will also offer a customizable experience, whether that's choosing a favorite set of dice or token aesthetic, creating a homemade rule set, or enabling a Fast Mode that uses speed die and pushes for faster board progression and shorter matches. Players can dive into Monopoly with up to five other friends, either in couch co-op or in online matches.

Get Up to 4 Months of Ubisoft+ for Free!

Play Star Wars Outlaws early on August 27 by pre-ordering the Gold or Ultimate Edition of the game, and play Assassin's Creed Shadows on November 12 by pre-ordering the Gold, Ultimate, or Collector Edition. You can also play both games early with a Ubisoft+ Premium subscription. To celebrate Ubisoft Forward, the Ubisoft Store is offering a special Ubisoft+ deal for new and lapsed subscribers, who can get four months free by signing up for the Yearly Plan before July 11.

The Ubisoft Store is also offering major discounts on some of its top titles. Sail the Indian Ocean and build your kingpin empire in Skull and Bones, available for up to 50% off. Or, for a stealthier gameplay experience, take a trip to ninth-century Baghdad and join a young Basim on his journey from street thief to master assassin in Assassin's Creed Mirage, available for up to 50% off. For an out-of-this-world experience, climb through the jungles, race across the plains, or soar through the skies as you take on the RDA threat in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, available for up to 40% off. To get an additional 20% off your entire cart, use the code UBISOFT20 at checkout.