In a scene straight out of a gamer's worst nightmare, Windows 11's latest 24H2 update has done something truly disruptive—it has gone face-to-face with Ubisoft’s iconic Assassin’s Creed Origins, and let's just say the results are... less than harmonious. More than a handful of dollar-counting Steam users are sounding the alarm after snatching up the game during a ridiculously tempting 90% off sale, only to discover their adventures in ancient Egypt now crash faster than a buggy chariot.
Naturally, the uproar isn’t confined to the halls of Reddit. Windows 11 24H2's pesky issues with Assassin’s Creed Origins have not only tanked the game’s ratings on Steam but also kicked off a firestorm of angry reviews. Let’s dive into why this all happened, who is to blame (Microsoft? Ubisoft? Steam?), and more importantly, how you can possibly salvage your beloved gaming experiences.
It's key to note that both Microsoft and Ubisoft are aware of the problem. As a precautionary measure, the Windows 11 24H2 update now includes an “upgrade block” on certain PCs where Ubisoft games like Assassin’s Creed Origins are known to exist. But here’s the catch: this safeguard only kicks in if the game was installed prior to your Windows update. If you’re one of the Steam shoppers who hit “buy” after updating to 24H2? Well, you’re basically out of luck unless you take more drastic measures (hint: rollback time).
Settings > Windows Update and pause updates.
Is this the price users pay for running the bleeding edge of updates and netting holiday discounts? Possibly. Watch this space—solutions are bound to arrive (eventually). Until then, may your gaming experiences be smooth elsewhere.
Let us know—how do you think this situation fits into the bigger picture of OS updates versus user satisfaction?
Source: Windows Latest Windows 11 24H2 crashes Assassin’s Creed Origins, Steam ratings drop as users rage
Naturally, the uproar isn’t confined to the halls of Reddit. Windows 11 24H2's pesky issues with Assassin’s Creed Origins have not only tanked the game’s ratings on Steam but also kicked off a firestorm of angry reviews. Let’s dive into why this all happened, who is to blame (Microsoft? Ubisoft? Steam?), and more importantly, how you can possibly salvage your beloved gaming experiences.
The Bug at the Center of the Saga
Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 update—which rolled out as the latest and greatest for the operating system—is riddled with a bug that causes Ubisoft games like Assassin’s Creed Origins to crash at an alarmingly high rate. How bad is it? In the worst cases, players are met with:- Crashes During Gameplay: Imagine scaling pyramids one second and staring at your desktop wallpaper the next.
- Unresponsive Launch Attempts: Some folks can’t even load the game; instead, they get stuck in a black screen limbo. Yeah, super fun.
- General Freezing: For some unlucky souls, the game just hangs up in the middle of ancient-Egyptian antics, practically inviting the Alt+F4 rage quit.
It's key to note that both Microsoft and Ubisoft are aware of the problem. As a precautionary measure, the Windows 11 24H2 update now includes an “upgrade block” on certain PCs where Ubisoft games like Assassin’s Creed Origins are known to exist. But here’s the catch: this safeguard only kicks in if the game was installed prior to your Windows update. If you’re one of the Steam shoppers who hit “buy” after updating to 24H2? Well, you’re basically out of luck unless you take more drastic measures (hint: rollback time).
Steam Reviews: The Great Fallout
Over on Steam, the fallout has been catastrophic—negative reviews are piling up faster than inventory in your in-game stash. Out of 80 reviews posted over the holidays, nearly 30 point fingers squarely at the Windows 11 24H2 update and performance issues. Comments range from frustrated pleas to outright rage:- Pro-Microsoft Blamers: "It’s Microsoft’s fault for breaking compatibility; rollback your system or go back to Windows 10."
- Pro-Ubisoft Blamers: "Why is Ubisoft letting steamdiscount games when their product doesn't even work?"
- Sarcastic Realists: "Brilliant holiday gift: purchase a discounted game, and it’s actually just a desktop screensaver launcher."
Technical Breakdown: What’s Going Wrong?
Let’s peel back the code and figure out why this disaster is happening. Without official confirmation from Microsoft or Ubisoft just yet, here are educated industry assumptions:- Compatibility Issues with the Rendering Engine: Assassin’s Creed Origins uses Ubisoft’s proprietary Anvil game engine, which likely relies on certain APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that haven't quite paired up well with tweaks introduced in Windows 11 24H2. Think of it like a bad blind date between the OS and the game engine—awkward and often messy.
- DirectX Shenanigans: Windows 11 24H2 includes updates to DirectX (Microsoft’s suite for gaming and multimedia operations), which gamers depend on for rendering graphics. If this update alters memory allocation or shader compilation routines, it could disrupt compatibility.
- System Resource Management Changes: This one is tricky, but operating system updates often come with adjustments in how CPU or GPU resources are allocated. Assassin’s Creed Origins is notorious for being resource-hungry, particularly with its DRM-heavy design (hi there, Denuvo!).
What Are Microsoft and Ubisoft Doing?
The good news is that both companies are on the case, according to official statements.- Microsoft's Take: Microsoft’s temporary remedy is the so-called “upgrade block”, which restricts systems running incompatible versions of Windows 11 from completing the 24H2 upgrade. They’ve also acknowledged the issue in documentation and are likely working on incorporating fixes in an upcoming cumulative update—stay tuned to Patch Tuesdays.
- Ubisoft’s Input: Ubisoft’s developers have promised that the problem has been officially flagged. They’re reportedly collaborating with Microsoft engineers to isolate what exactly is causing these crashes. No timeline has been given yet, however, emphasizing the need for patience.
So... What Can You Do?
Feeling the sting of not being able to Roman-roll through Origins? Here’s a list of actionable steps to troubleshoot this issue:1. Revert Your Version of Windows
Microsoft’s advice for affected users might not sound glamorous, but it’s effective:- Rollback to Windows 11 23H2: Use the built-in recovery options under Settings > System > Recovery > Go back to previous version of Windows.
- Downgrade to Windows 10: If this bug’s too much, consider retracing your steps to Windows 10 for a temporary fix.
2. Skip 24H2 Updates for Now
Delaying feature updates can be a lifesaver. Head to:Settings > Windows Update and pause updates.
3. Look Out for Game Patches
Ubisoft may eventually release a compatibility patch for Origins. Be sure to frequently update both Uplay and Steam Library files.4. Get Refunds
If none of these options appeal to you and you recently purchased Assassin’s Creed Origins on Steam, you may still qualify for a refund, provided you’ve played less than two hours total.Final Word: Whose Fault Is This?
The blame game between Microsoft, Ubisoft, and Steam is making the rounds, and honestly? It’s a bit of everyone’s fault. Players argue that Microsoft should’ve performed better QA testing, Ubisoft should’ve been more transparent about known issues, and Steam? Well, maybe consider taking the affected game off 90% discount next time.Is this the price users pay for running the bleeding edge of updates and netting holiday discounts? Possibly. Watch this space—solutions are bound to arrive (eventually). Until then, may your gaming experiences be smooth elsewhere.
Let us know—how do you think this situation fits into the bigger picture of OS updates versus user satisfaction?
Source: Windows Latest Windows 11 24H2 crashes Assassin’s Creed Origins, Steam ratings drop as users rage
