Gamers are wielding their keyboards and venting their frustrations in bold, biting reviews of Assassin’s Creed Origins on Steam—a case study of what happens when a beloved game collides with the pitfalls of modern operating system updates. Released in 2017, the standout title of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise finds itself in the crossfire of tumult widespread enough to send ripples through the gaming community. What’s happening? Blame Windows 11 (specifically, the 24H2 update) and the unfortunate timing of a Steam sale.
Let’s break down what’s causing all the chaos and discuss how you, as a Windows user, can stay ahead of these issues.
Steam reviews shifted overnight from nostalgia-filled testaments to the game’s storytelling brilliance, iconic open-world design, and vital influence on successors (Odyssey, Valhalla) to blistering critiques zeroing in on performance woes.
One particularly sharp irony? These issues didn’t seem to plague owners of Valve’s Steam Deck. Running a Linux-based OS, the device appears to sidestep compatibility issues, offering a clean playthrough that’s become the envy of PC users struggling to get Origins working right on their Windows machines.
Games, particularly older ones like Assassin’s Creed Origins, frequently sit at the mercy of this cycle, because the developers are often working on future titles (e.g., Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the 2025 dual-protagonist entry) rather than updating legacy games for compatibility. But this means these updates can—intentionally or not—upend your gaming experiences.
Meanwhile, as attention shifts toward Assassin’s Creed Shadows in 2025—and its dual protagonists Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, the African samurai—Ubisoft has a chance to win back goodwill. By ensuring performance stability across platforms, the gaming giant can ensure the next title doesn’t repeat Origins’ current misfortune.
Whether Ubisoft or Microsoft resolves this disruption soon or leaves users to fend for themselves (with rollbacks, Steam Decks, or sheer stubbornness), one thing is clear: Windows users and gamers alike can’t afford to stay quiet when tech gets in the way of art. After all, poorly timed updates can feel as impactful as an assassin’s blade—silent but deeply felt.
Got any tips for resolving Assassin’s Creed Origins performance issues on Windows 11? Share them in the comments below. Let the troubleshooting roll on!
Source: Khaleej Times Gamers review bomb 'Assassin’s Creed Origins' on Steam due to Windows 11 update issues
Let’s break down what’s causing all the chaos and discuss how you, as a Windows user, can stay ahead of these issues.
The Perfect Storm: Windows 11 Update Meets a Classic Game
Around November 2024, Microsoft rolled out its Windows 11 24H2 update. Their goal? Boost performance, roll out visual tweaks, and chip away at the usual bug squashing. However, for some unfortunate reasons, this update inadvertently turned its sights on some beloved games, including Assassin’s Creed Origins. Ubisoft’s magnum opus—a revolution in the franchise thanks to its RPG shift and sprawling landscapes—quickly became collateral damage.The Root of the Problem: Game Stability Issues
Starting with the update’s release, users began reporting problems when running Assassin’s Creed Origins on Windows 11. Here's the player's woe in exhaustive detail:- Stuttering and Lag: Sudden and frequent stuttering transforms Bayek’s fluid movements across Ancient Egypt into a choppy nightmare.
- Crashes and Freezes: Whether scaling pyramids, battling foes, or exploring tombs, the game suddenly seizes up or outright crashes to the desktop without warning.
- Black Screens: Players booting up the game are faced with ominous black screens, forcing restarts and testing patience.
- Overall Instability: The game’s performance became unpredictable, marbling its technical presentation with frustrations instead of awe.
When the Sales Backfire
December’s holiday sales should have been a triumphant moment for Origins. Ubisoft slashed its price by a whopping 90% on Steam, hoping fresh excitement would ignite new interest. Instead, what they got was a spotlight on its problems. New players flooded Steam’s storefront, leaving scores of negative reviews, fueled by players who were already struggling and compounded by first-timers bewildered by the technical issues.Steam reviews shifted overnight from nostalgia-filled testaments to the game’s storytelling brilliance, iconic open-world design, and vital influence on successors (Odyssey, Valhalla) to blistering critiques zeroing in on performance woes.
One particularly sharp irony? These issues didn’t seem to plague owners of Valve’s Steam Deck. Running a Linux-based OS, the device appears to sidestep compatibility issues, offering a clean playthrough that’s become the envy of PC users struggling to get Origins working right on their Windows machines.
Temporary Fixes for the Desperate Gamer
Gamers aren’t known for giving up easily, and when tech falters, we adapt. The buzz around fixing these issues has led to some tried-and-true advice:- Rollback Your Windows Update: Microsoft allows users to revert to a previous version of Windows (within a limited time window). Rolling back from the 24H2 update can eliminate the compatibility conflicts affecting Origins. If you’ve updated, find this feature in Settings > System > Recovery > Go Back.
- Delay Future Updates: Prevention is the best medicine. The 24H2 update may have sparked current headaches, but pausing updates altogether avoids new landmines Microsoft might unintentionally toss your way. Navigate to Windows Update settings to pause automatic updates.
- Update GPU Drivers: Outdated drivers make bad problems worse. Make sure NVIDIA or AMD drivers are fully updated, as patched graphic driver support occasionally circumvents OS conflicts.
- Disable In-Game Overlays: The combination of Ubisoft’s overlay tools (Uplay) and Windows overlay services reportedly compounds performance quirks. Disabling them eases some load on processing.
- Steam Deck Anyone?: Yes, it’s a niche solution, but the Linux-based Steam Deck has hilariously emerged as a safer harbor if you’re looking to bypass a tumultuous PC experience. Its compatibility triumph in this ongoing saga suggests Linux enthusiasts are getting the last laugh.
Lessons Learned From the Fallout
Operating system updates can be double-edged swords. Microsoft’s intentions with 24H2 were likely driven by improvements—they didn’t set out with a dartboard of Ubisoft franchises in mind—but this scenario highlights some broader lessons for Windows users:1. The Patch Cycle Conundrum
Microsoft’s aggressive update schedule for Windows 11 ensures that the OS introduces new standards quickly—whether users want them or not. Occasionally, this leads to what can best be described as “unintended side effects.”Games, particularly older ones like Assassin’s Creed Origins, frequently sit at the mercy of this cycle, because the developers are often working on future titles (e.g., Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the 2025 dual-protagonist entry) rather than updating legacy games for compatibility. But this means these updates can—intentionally or not—upend your gaming experiences.
2. Steam Review Culture Amplified
Review bombing isn’t new, but 2024’s Origins fiasco demonstrates the peculiar visibility games receive during sales. The flood of discounted digital downloads created a wave of feedback—unfortunately highlighting bugs rather than content.3. The Linux-Based Paradox
As the gaming community debates Windows' sprawling OS and its quirks, there’s something poetic about Linux on Steam Deck quietly running without a hitch. It serves as a reminder that in the sea of proprietary compatibility issues, open-source systems often play the role of unsung heroes. Could this signal a future where Steam Deck influence grows, nudging developers to pay more attention to making Linux-ready games?The Future: Will Microsoft and Ubisoft Resolve This?
Whether Ubisoft can address these issues in Origins remains anyone’s guess; the priority seems to be on future titles. Windows users, on the other hand, are at the mercy of Microsoft’s update structure. The question remains—are you willing to sacrifice cutting-edge OS advancements for the sake of stable gaming?Meanwhile, as attention shifts toward Assassin’s Creed Shadows in 2025—and its dual protagonists Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, the African samurai—Ubisoft has a chance to win back goodwill. By ensuring performance stability across platforms, the gaming giant can ensure the next title doesn’t repeat Origins’ current misfortune.
Whether Ubisoft or Microsoft resolves this disruption soon or leaves users to fend for themselves (with rollbacks, Steam Decks, or sheer stubbornness), one thing is clear: Windows users and gamers alike can’t afford to stay quiet when tech gets in the way of art. After all, poorly timed updates can feel as impactful as an assassin’s blade—silent but deeply felt.
Got any tips for resolving Assassin’s Creed Origins performance issues on Windows 11? Share them in the comments below. Let the troubleshooting roll on!
Source: Khaleej Times Gamers review bomb 'Assassin’s Creed Origins' on Steam due to Windows 11 update issues
