If you're a fan of Ubisoft's blockbuster "Assassin's Creed Origins" and recently updated your PC to the Windows 11 24H2 patch, you may be feeling like you've stumbled into animus-induced chaos. Bugs, crashes, performance dips—these are just some of the nuggets of frustration Windows gamers have been dealing with. Let's dive into exactly what's happening, why it matters, and what (if anything) you can do to mitigate the issue.
Users weren't shy about expressing their frustration; the Steam review section for "Assassin's Creed Origins" was bombarded with a tsunami of negative reviews, turning what once was a highly praised game into a battleground of discontent. And here's the kicker: this isn't an isolated incident. Other Ubisoft classics like "Assassin's Creed Odyssey" and "Valhalla" have also fallen victim to similar issues post-update, leading to a snowballing PR crisis for Ubisoft right in the thick of the 2024 Steam Winter Sale.
The 24H2 patch introduced several system-wide optimizations to Windows 11, including tweaks to DirectX 12 performance, enhanced power efficiency for GPUs, and a new memory handling system. While these updates aim to improve gaming and general performance in the long run, the immediate side effect has been compatibility headaches for certain games. Ubisoft's proprietary DRM and optimization layers, which are known to work symbiotically with Windows systems, seemingly became a casualty of these deep-rooted changes.
It’s especially baffling considering Ubisoft has historically optimized its titles to work efficiently across platforms. "Assassin's Creed Origins" debuted almost a decade ago in 2017 and remains one of the studio’s most beloved games due to its expansive world, gorgeously crafted environments, and engaging RPG progression mechanics. However, as new operating systems evolve, ensuring software compatibility with these platforms often requires dynamic testing and back-end patches—something Ubisoft appears to have dropped the ball on here.
Ubisoft, as one of the industry's titans with a legacy of blockbuster titles, has a vested interest in maintaining the longevity of its catalog. However, this episode might serve as a reminder to prioritize backward compatibility testing, even for older and "legacy" products.
If you're sitting on a copy of "Assassin's Creed Origins," you're not entirely without recourse—but until a substantial fix comes, expect to trade fluid gameplay for bouts of troubleshooting. Meanwhile, let this be a lesson for all of us to back up those settings before hitting that shiny "update" button.
Source: www.player.one 'Assassin's Creed Origins' Suffers Crashes, Other Issues Following Windows 24H2 Update
The Situation: A Buggy Update Meets a Beloved Game
"Assassin’s Creed Origins," Ubisoft’s majestic foray into ancient Egypt, has been hit hard by Windows 11's 24H2 update. Players have reported issues ranging from unresponsiveness during launch to outright crashes mid-gameplay. On a surface level, this might not seem unusual—Windows updates occasionally bring bugs—but the scale and persistence of the problem have escalated it to headline material.Users weren't shy about expressing their frustration; the Steam review section for "Assassin's Creed Origins" was bombarded with a tsunami of negative reviews, turning what once was a highly praised game into a battleground of discontent. And here's the kicker: this isn't an isolated incident. Other Ubisoft classics like "Assassin's Creed Odyssey" and "Valhalla" have also fallen victim to similar issues post-update, leading to a snowballing PR crisis for Ubisoft right in the thick of the 2024 Steam Winter Sale.
What’s to Blame? The Culprit Behind the Chaos
The finger-pointing started almost immediately, with many players blaming Ubisoft’s lackluster preparations for Windows 11's 24H2 update. On the other hand, some argue that Microsoft's update introduces significant changes that third-party developers—game studios included—need time to adapt to.The 24H2 patch introduced several system-wide optimizations to Windows 11, including tweaks to DirectX 12 performance, enhanced power efficiency for GPUs, and a new memory handling system. While these updates aim to improve gaming and general performance in the long run, the immediate side effect has been compatibility headaches for certain games. Ubisoft's proprietary DRM and optimization layers, which are known to work symbiotically with Windows systems, seemingly became a casualty of these deep-rooted changes.
What Ubisoft Got Wrong
Ubisoft has faced criticism for failing to resolve these issues promptly. Three months after the patch initially disrupted gaming experiences, no definitive fix has been rolled out yet. This prolonged inaction comes across as tone-deaf to players already grappling with unplayable games while watching Ubisoft titles go on heavy discounted sales—a move criticized as opportunistic.It’s especially baffling considering Ubisoft has historically optimized its titles to work efficiently across platforms. "Assassin's Creed Origins" debuted almost a decade ago in 2017 and remains one of the studio’s most beloved games due to its expansive world, gorgeously crafted environments, and engaging RPG progression mechanics. However, as new operating systems evolve, ensuring software compatibility with these platforms often requires dynamic testing and back-end patches—something Ubisoft appears to have dropped the ball on here.
Gamers Fighting Back: DIY Fixes
Desperate times call for creative workarounds, and savvy players have begun exploring their own solutions. Here are a few methods that have reportedly offered some temporary relief:Option 1: Roll Back the Update
For Windows users who updated within the last 10 days, rolling back to the earlier version might resolve these issues. Here's how you can do it:- Open PC Settings.
- Navigate to System > Recovery.
- Click Go Back to undo the 24H2 update.
Option 2: Compatibility Mode
Sometimes forcing the game to run in a compatibility mode designed for older Windows builds can help. This involves:- Right-clicking the Assassin's Creed Origins executable file.
- Selecting Properties.
- Under the Compatibility tab, enabling the option to run the program in compatibility mode (pick Windows 10 or an earlier version).
Option 3: GPU Driver Updates
Outdated GPU drivers can exacerbate compatibility gaps. Visit NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel's official websites and ensure you're running the latest stable drivers optimized for the 24H2 update.The Broader Issue: Players vs. Updates
This fiasco doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It underscores a larger challenge faced by the gaming community when it comes to balancing cutting-edge OS features and stable gaming experiences. Microsoft's push for system refinements, such as memory management tweaks, aim to prepare the platform for increasingly demanding applications—the rapidly approaching era of AI-powered interfaces and ray-traced games, for example. However, these advancements inadvertently widen the gap between new tech and aging games.Ubisoft, as one of the industry's titans with a legacy of blockbuster titles, has a vested interest in maintaining the longevity of its catalog. However, this episode might serve as a reminder to prioritize backward compatibility testing, even for older and "legacy" products.
What Can We Expect Moving Forward?
While neither Ubisoft nor Microsoft has formally committed to actionable solutions, here's what could potentially happen next:- Ubisoft's Patch: The company may roll out a dedicated patch addressing compatibility issues. Historically, Ubisoft has been slow to respond with fixes but does tend to address major performance blockers eventually.
- Microsoft's Hotfix: Occasionally, Microsoft steps up with hotfixes or optional driver packages when games are affected on a large scale. Until this happens, though, rely on DIY solutions.
- Community Mods: Unofficial patches from the gaming community may eventually fill Ubisoft’s silence, though depending on modders for functionality is always risky.
The Takeaway
Whether you're a frustrated gamer or just keeping an eye on Windows developments, this debacle highlights the often volatile relationship between operating system updates and third-party software compatibility. On the heels of the Steam Winter Sale, Ubisoft’s failure to address these issues feels particularly like stepping on a pyramid-shaped Lego brick. Painful doesn’t even begin to cut it.If you're sitting on a copy of "Assassin's Creed Origins," you're not entirely without recourse—but until a substantial fix comes, expect to trade fluid gameplay for bouts of troubleshooting. Meanwhile, let this be a lesson for all of us to back up those settings before hitting that shiny "update" button.
Source: www.player.one 'Assassin's Creed Origins' Suffers Crashes, Other Issues Following Windows 24H2 Update
