Windows users, particularly fans of Ubisoft's flagship Assassin’s Creed franchise, have had a rocky few months. Following the release of Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 feature update back in November, a subset of PC players encountered frustrating performance issues. Now, Ubisoft has finally responded to the clamor by releasing targeted patches for Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla designed to address compatibility problems with Windows 11's latest update.
Let’s dive into what went down, what’s been fixed, and whether Ubisoft’s efforts may point to broader challenges introduced by 24H2 for gamers and developers alike.
Ubisoft recently rolled out two software updates for the aforementioned Assassin’s Creed games:
Valhalla seemed similarly plagued by performance dips, particularly in CPU-/GPU-intensive scenarios. For those running Windows 11 24H2 with high expectations, the performance woes were a far cry from the seamless narratives of the AC franchise.
While Origins and Valhalla fans might breathe a sigh of relief, not all of Ubisoft's catalog has been addressed. Other games affected by these compatibility headaches—including Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Star Wars Outlaws—remain without similar updates thus far.
Why the delay? While there’s no official comment from Ubisoft, one can speculate that patch development for games as visually complex and engine-diverse as Odyssey or Frontiers of Pandora might take longer. Ubisoft’s current priorities appear focused on maintaining the goodwill of players for its most prominent titles first.
This wasn’t entirely unexpected—large updates like this inherently come with quirks, especially around API behavior (think DirectX) and graphics driver integration. Ubisoft titles, which often push boundaries on sprawling open-world graphics, seemed uniquely caught in the crossfire.
Ubisoft’s recent updates specifically address compatibility and performance drops triggered by how their game engines interacted with updated components within Windows 11.
Here are some of the technical hazards they likely encountered:
If this episode reveals anything, it’s that feature updates to operating systems continue to represent both opportunity and risk for PC gamers. And developers? They’re increasingly stuck in a “catch-up” game as OS vendors like Microsoft release feature updates faster than many studios can test for.
Given how high-profile Unity and Unreal Engine titles sidestepped these pitfalls while proprietary Ubisoft engines like Anvil struggled, the issue also highlights the challenges of customizing engines for maximum visual fidelity.
If you’re still grappling with issues despite the latest patches, here’s what you can do:
Ubisoft’s quick (though by no means immediate) reaction to the problem seems to have paid off for players of Origins and Valhalla. But the ongoing struggles with other Ubisoft titles—and the larger challenges of rapidly evolving Windows versions—remind us that we're in an age where gaming doesn’t just depend on high-powered GPUs or fast SSDs but constant coordination between software ecosystems.
What’s your take? Drop your thoughts below on how Windows 11’s updates have impacted your gaming experience—or if you’re among the lucky few who’ve faced no such doom! After all, the discourse doesn’t end here.
Looking forward to hearing from the WindowsForum.com crowd!
Source: GamingBolt Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Origins Get Updates to Fix Windows 11 24H2 Compatibility Issues
Let’s dive into what went down, what’s been fixed, and whether Ubisoft’s efforts may point to broader challenges introduced by 24H2 for gamers and developers alike.
Breakdown of the Ubisoft Updates
Ubisoft recently rolled out two software updates for the aforementioned Assassin’s Creed games:- Assassin’s Creed Origins: The update, sized approximately 230 MB, bumps the game to version 1.62.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The patch clocks in at nearly 500 MB and upgrades the game to version 1.7.0.
The Fallout: Bad Reviews and Player Frustrations
The compatibility issues didn’t just result in sub-par experiences; they provoked outright backlash. Affected players cited frequent crashes, significant FPS drops, stuttering, and sluggish performance. The uproar culminated in what many call "review bombing"—as seen on Steam, where player ratings for Assassin’s Creed Origins fell from “Very Positive” to a disappointing “Mixed.”Valhalla seemed similarly plagued by performance dips, particularly in CPU-/GPU-intensive scenarios. For those running Windows 11 24H2 with high expectations, the performance woes were a far cry from the seamless narratives of the AC franchise.
But What About Other Ubisoft Games?
While Origins and Valhalla fans might breathe a sigh of relief, not all of Ubisoft's catalog has been addressed. Other games affected by these compatibility headaches—including Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Star Wars Outlaws—remain without similar updates thus far.Why the delay? While there’s no official comment from Ubisoft, one can speculate that patch development for games as visually complex and engine-diverse as Odyssey or Frontiers of Pandora might take longer. Ubisoft’s current priorities appear focused on maintaining the goodwill of players for its most prominent titles first.
Windows 11 24H2: The Story So Far
What is Windows 11 24H2?
For the uninitiated, Windows 11’s 24H2 update (released in late 2024) was Microsoft's latest feature-packed annual rollout. The update boasted:- Improved gaming performance: Through enhancements to DirectStorage, a technology designed to reduce load times and utilize the speed of NVMe SSDs.
- Taskbar refinements: A more intuitive drag-and-drop UI and customization options that boosted multitasking.
- Enhanced AI-powered features: Primarily in accessibility and resource optimization.
The Gaming Hit (and Myth)
While Microsoft marketed 24H2 as a performance upgrade for PC games, it wasn’t free from hiccups. Many gamers, particularly those using Ubisoft games, found that the update introduced unexpected crashes, performance degradation, and instability.This wasn’t entirely unexpected—large updates like this inherently come with quirks, especially around API behavior (think DirectX) and graphics driver integration. Ubisoft titles, which often push boundaries on sprawling open-world graphics, seemed uniquely caught in the crossfire.
What Exactly Do These Patches Fix?
Ubisoft’s recent updates specifically address compatibility and performance drops triggered by how their game engines interacted with updated components within Windows 11.Here are some of the technical hazards they likely encountered:
- DirectX Interaction – Windows 11's 24H2 update likely altered low-level DirectX calls, destabilizing the rendering chain and causing crashes during resource-heavy in-game moments.
- GPU Driver Conflicts – Updates at the kernel level might have introduced bottlenecks for games optimized under older drivers.
- Increased Resource Consumption – Memory (RAM) and VRAM utilization spikes could have disproportionately impacted Ubisoft's games compared to others.
- Windows Scheduler Behavior – Task allocation across CPU threads (critical for massive open worlds like Valhalla and Origins) may not have functioned as intended post-update.
Broader Implications for Windows Gamers and Developers
If this episode reveals anything, it’s that feature updates to operating systems continue to represent both opportunity and risk for PC gamers. And developers? They’re increasingly stuck in a “catch-up” game as OS vendors like Microsoft release feature updates faster than many studios can test for.Given how high-profile Unity and Unreal Engine titles sidestepped these pitfalls while proprietary Ubisoft engines like Anvil struggled, the issue also highlights the challenges of customizing engines for maximum visual fidelity.
Quick Tips for Affected Gamers on Windows 11 24H2
If you’re still grappling with issues despite the latest patches, here’s what you can do:- Update Graphics Drivers: Keep your GPU firmware updated via AMD Adrenalin/NVIDIA GeForce Experience/Intel Graphics Command Center.
- Tinker with DirectX Versions: Try switching between DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 in your game settings to see if performance stabilizes.
- Turn Off Shader Caching: Clear your gaming setup’s shader cache under Windows settings; it helps if certain frames appear "corrupt."
- Disable Overlays: Features like Xbox Game Overlay or Steam’s FPS counter sometimes interfere with state-dependent performance.
- Revert to Windows 11 22H2: If all else fails, rolling back to a previous OS version might save your sanity until Microsoft cooks up a better patch.
So, Should PC Players Be Happy?
Ubisoft’s quick (though by no means immediate) reaction to the problem seems to have paid off for players of Origins and Valhalla. But the ongoing struggles with other Ubisoft titles—and the larger challenges of rapidly evolving Windows versions—remind us that we're in an age where gaming doesn’t just depend on high-powered GPUs or fast SSDs but constant coordination between software ecosystems.What’s your take? Drop your thoughts below on how Windows 11’s updates have impacted your gaming experience—or if you’re among the lucky few who’ve faced no such doom! After all, the discourse doesn’t end here.
Looking forward to hearing from the WindowsForum.com crowd!
Source: GamingBolt Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Origins Get Updates to Fix Windows 11 24H2 Compatibility Issues