Ubisoft reveals post-launch plans for Assassin's Creed Odyssey

These days, season passes have become a really touchy subject. When people are already shelling out $60 for the retail release of a game, it can be a tall order to expect them to drop another $30+ for the promise of new content. Assassin's Creed Odyssey is a fairly anticipated retail release this year, and with less than a month before release, Ubisoft has dropped a video outlining their post-launch plans for the game.

It looks like Odyssey is going to feature a wide array of content post-launch. Starting off, the trailer covers the content associated with the game's Season Pass. The season pass includes two story arcs, Legacy of the First Blade and The Fate of Atlantis. Interestingly enough, these arcs will be released in an episodic format. Each arc is comprised of three episodes that will release approximately six weeks apart, giving players a steady stream of content consumable in smaller chunks. Legacy of the First Blade will release its first episode in December 2018, and The Fate of Atlantis will drop sometime in Spring 2019.

As an extra incentive, the Season Pass will also include Assassin's Creed III Remastered and Assassin's Creed III Liberation Remastered. That's basically two full games being included in a season pass, so if playing or replaying those games is in your wheelhouse, there's definitely a good deal of value added.

Outside of the season pass, the Odyssey will feature free content that serves to fill the gaps between the Season Pass releases. The Lost Tales of Greece is another set of episodic questlines that release between arc episodes, bringing new stories to the world. Weekly challenges will also feature epic ships or mercenaries, which will challenge players with new enemies to get new loot. There's also a Discovery Tour mode, which allows players to explore the world without conflict, so they can focus on delving into the lore of the world. There's also some details of New Game Plus, and a few glimpses into new mythical creatures to bring down.

Historically, I've been adverse to the idea of a Season Pass. Paying in advance for the promise of content isn't generally my cup of tea. That being said, I like the way that Ubisoft has fleshed out this content well in advance, giving specifics of what to expect and when to expect it. And even though Assassin's Creed III wasn't my favorite entry in the series, a fully fledged game included in a season pass is a tempting offer. The season pass is included with the premium editions of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, so if this piques your interest, it may we worth upgrading that purchase.

SAN FRANCISCO — September 13, 2018 — Today, Ubisoft announced the Assassin’s Creed^® Odyssey post-launch plan introducing a brand new episodic format. Season Pass and free narrative content will release on a regular basis, giving players a constant flow of new stories to experience. Additionally, all Assassin’s Creed Odyssey players will have access to recurring free in-game events, introducing challenging enemies and daily quests. Season Pass owners will also receive two bonus games: Assassin’s Creed^® III Remastered and Assassin’s Creed^® III Liberation Remastered.

The Assassin’s Creed Odyssey live roadmap plan is the biggest and most ambitious in the franchise, deepening storytelling through its episodic structure. Season Pass owners will access two major storylines with three episodes each while all players will receive free story missions called The Lost Tales of Greece. Players can dive into new episodes as they premiere, or experience the epic adventures in their entirety once all episodes are available. Keeping in tone with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, accessing this new content will be all about player choice.

The Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Season Pass includes:

• Story Arc 1 - Legacy of the First Blade: This episodic adventure will introduce players to the first hero to wield the iconic hidden blade, changing the course of history. Players will learn more about the backstory of the Assassins and why they choose to fight from the shadows. Starting December 2018, episodes will be released approximately six weeks apart.
• Story Arc II - The Fate of Atlantis: In the second story arc, players will confront godly creatures and uncover the secrets of the legendary sunken city. In a surprising saga filled with twists and turns, players will get even closer to Greek mythology and the First Civilization. Coming spring 2019, episodes will be released approximately six weeks apart.
• Assassin’s Creed III Remastered: Ignite the American Revolution as Connor, the master assassin born of the beauty and the brutality of 18th century America. As a bloody revolution draws ever nearer, your clan is threatened by a powerful group seeking to crush the American Revolution and control the thirteen colonies. Shocked into action by the devastation of your village, you pledge your life to the cause of freedom, and embark on a decades-long quest to achieve it. Assassin’s Creed III Remastered will be released in March 2019 and will include:
  • All the DLCs: Benedict Arnold Missions, Hidden Secrets Pack and Tyranny of King George.
  • The Remastered editions will feature 4K and & HDR on PS4™ Pro, Xbox One X and PC, higher resolution textures, new graphics engine, and several more other graphical enhancements. Gameplay mechanics and ergonomics have also been improved.
  • Assassin’s Creed III Remastered will be sold as a stand-alone title for players who don’t own the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Season Pass.
• Assassin’s Creed^® III Liberation Remastered: Originally released as a PlayStation^®Vita exclusive, Assassin’s Creed III Liberation has been remastered for PlayStation^®4 systems, Xbox One and PC in full HD. Follow Aveline’s story as she battles Spanish forces in the American south to win freedom for her land and people. Embark on an epic journey that will take her from the crowded streets of New Orleans to voodoo-haunted swamps and ancient Mayan ruins.

The Season Pass is included in the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Gold, Ultimate, Spartan and Pantheon Editions and is also available for purchase separately for $39.99.

In addition, an extensive lineup of free content including new narrative content and in-game events will be available for all players after launch, including:

• The Lost Tales of Greece: Free episodic questlines will release regularly in-between episodes, providing a constant flow of new stories for players to discover. These quests will feature familiar faces and new characters from the world of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
• Recurring In-Game Events: Each week a new epic ship or mercenary will appear, presenting players with challenging battles as they hunt down these powerful enemies. Daily and weekly contracts will send players on new quests across Greece.
• Discovery Tour: The educational tool will let players explore the game world in a conflict-free environment and learn about Ancient Greece’s monuments, culture and history.  
• Many more updates, including new monstrous and mythical creatures to defy and a New Game Plus mode presenting new challenges and the ability to see how different choices affect players’ stories.

There will be more to come as the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey development team is committed to support the game and continued improvement of the core experience with additional content, yet to be revealed.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey will be released worldwide on October 5, 2018. Gold, Collectors and Ultimate Editions owners will have access to the game three days early, starting October 2.