Attention, Windows 11 gamers: it seems there’s a disturbance in your gaming galaxy. Reports have been swirling that some high-profile Ubisoft games are having significant compatibility issues with Microsoft's latest update to Windows 11 (version 24H2). If you’ve recently tried venturing into a favorite Ubisoft title only for it to crash back to your desktop—or worse, freeze in horrifying black-screen limbo—guess what? You’re not alone. Let's break this down for all Windows enthusiasts and figure out what’s causing this digital ruckus.
But hold on to your gamer keyboards—there’s more: another major Ubisoft title, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, is also on the culprit list. For many players, this means black screens, freezes mid-game, and outright game crashes.
Despite these hotfixes, both companies are advising PC users to hold off on manually updating their systems if they haven’t already reached version 24H2. In other words, do not touch the “Update Now” button via the Windows Installation Assistant or Media Creation Tools unless you’re a fan of black screens ruining your digital escapism.
Ubisoft, for its part, has a vested interest in resolving the current problems as quickly as possible. Games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora are flagship products that rely on high critical reception to maintain momentum post-launch.
What about you? Are you facing issues running Ubisoft games on Windows 11? Share your experiences in the forum and let others know if you’ve found any creative solutions. Let’s brave this digital storm together, gamers!
Source: Game Rant Some Ubisoft Games Are Having Major Issues On Windows 11
The Key Takeaway: Ubisoft Titles Vs. Windows 11
Microsoft and Ubisoft have officially acknowledged that certain PC games—including Star Wars Outlaws and three Assassin’s Creed entries—are experiencing performance and stability problems if you’re running Windows 11 version 24H2. In fact, things are so bad that Star Wars Outlaws and these Assassin’s Creed games (Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla) can crash outright, forcing frustrated gamers to close them manually via Task Manager.But hold on to your gamer keyboards—there’s more: another major Ubisoft title, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, is also on the culprit list. For many players, this means black screens, freezes mid-game, and outright game crashes.
Affected Games:
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Behind the Struggles: What’s the Tech Issue?
The underlying issue appears to be a compatibility conflict between Windows 11 24H2 and specific game engines or system resource demands of these Ubisoft titles. Historically, new Windows updates have had a habit of introducing unusual software quirks even when everything was running smoothly before. Let’s not forget the game performance fiascos during earlier Windows 10 and initial Windows 11 rollouts.What Could Be Happening Under the Hood?
- Driver Incompatibility: Updates in how Windows handles graphics drivers or DirectX routines often trigger game crashes, black screens, or input latency issues.
- File Access Permissions: New file-handling protocols in updated Windows versions might conflict with how Ubisoft games save or retrieve game data.
- CPU / GPU Management Changes: New OS optimizations, intended to improve overall performance, might actually harm games that heavily depend on consistent resource allocation.
- Anti-Cheat Systems: Ubisoft’s reliance on proprietary anti-cheat systems could also become unstable due to mismatched patching between OS and game software.
Where Do Microsoft and Ubisoft Stand?
Thankfully, this isn’t just being swept under the rug. Both powerhouses, Microsoft and Ubisoft, are actively working on solutions. Ubisoft has already implemented temporary workarounds for Star Wars Outlaws, which reportedly reduce outright crashes but don’t entirely address performance degradation.Despite these hotfixes, both companies are advising PC users to hold off on manually updating their systems if they haven’t already reached version 24H2. In other words, do not touch the “Update Now” button via the Windows Installation Assistant or Media Creation Tools unless you’re a fan of black screens ruining your digital escapism.
Star Wars Outlaws Gets a Unique Fix: Non-Crash Updates
Interestingly, Star Wars Outlaws stands out as the overachiever among the troubled bunch. Not only did Ubisoft release a fix for its crash issues on Windows 11, but the game also received gameplay quality-of-life improvements in version 1.4.0. Among the highlights:- Stealth Tweaks: Instead of outright failing stealth missions, players now get adaptive options to continue via combat.
- Weapons Usage Changes: Main character Kay can now wield two-handed weapons in more situations.
- New Enemy Weak Points: Certain enemies now have defined vulnerabilities to spice up tactical combat.
What Should You Do Right Now?
For those wrestling with the affected Ubisoft titles, there are some steps you can take to minimize frustration:1. Avoid Manual Updates:
If you’re still on an earlier release of Windows 11 (like 23H2), do not—repeat, do not—force the update to version 24H2. Microsoft’s “compatibility hold” is a blessing disguised as a roadblock for now.2. Update Graphics Drivers:
Make sure your GPU drivers (whether NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) are completely up-to-date. Manufacturers often release patches to address OS-specific issues.3. Roll Back to Earlier Build:
If your system auto-updated and you’re experiencing crashes, consider rolling back to a pre-24H2 version of Windows 11. This option can be found in your Update Settings under Recovery.4. Monitor Ubisoft/Microsoft Releases:
Keep an eye on official announcements from both companies, as patches for these issues are being actively developed.5. Try the Star Wars Outlaws Fix:
If you’re mainly affected by Star Wars Outlaws, download the latest patch for the game (version 1.4.0). While it doesn’t solve everything, players report noticeable improvements in reducing crashes.Why Fixing This Matters for Windows 11
Windows 11 has gained a growing reputation for buggy releases, particularly in how they affect game performance. This isn’t the first time gamers have seen system updates inadvertently introduce frame rate drops, stuttering, or even crashes—particularly for resource-intensive titles. Unfortunately, the operating system’s consumer base increasingly consists of gamers, making such lapses more visible and less tolerable.Ubisoft, for its part, has a vested interest in resolving the current problems as quickly as possible. Games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora are flagship products that rely on high critical reception to maintain momentum post-launch.
The Road Ahead
As of now, it’s a waiting game for dedicated fixes to be implemented. While temporary workarounds might tide users over, the bigger conversation here revolves around how tech giants like Microsoft and Ubisoft ensure smoother rollouts of their own updates. Whether through better beta testing, stricter OS compatibility checks, or real-time patch coordination, the goal should always be to avoid leaving users stranded in a sea of crashes and forced Alt+F4-ing.What about you? Are you facing issues running Ubisoft games on Windows 11? Share your experiences in the forum and let others know if you’ve found any creative solutions. Let’s brave this digital storm together, gamers!
Source: Game Rant Some Ubisoft Games Are Having Major Issues On Windows 11
