Assassin’s Creed Shadows: How Ubisoft Bordeaux Brought a Side-Scroller to Life in Claws of Awaji

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At the beginning of the ‘Claws of Awaji’ expansion for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players will experience a 2D side-scrolling section that tells the story leading up to their arrival on the island. You’ll play as different members of the Sanzoku Ippa, and also as Naoe’s mother, Tsuyu. This section ties into the traditional puppet shows of the Awaji region, but the developers actually came up with the idea for a side-scroller first.

Game Rant recently spoke with Simon Arseneault, content director for *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*’ DLC, *Claws of Awaji*, after a preview event. Arseneault explained that the side-scrolling section of the DLC started as an experiment, originally envisioned as a shadow play. Even in its early stages, it was inspired by the *Assassin’s Creed Chronicles* side-scrolling games. While not as complex as those titles, *Claws of Awaji*’s side-scroller effectively delivers important story details and introduces the setting and characters players will encounter on Awaji Island, all without relying on a traditional cinematic cutscene.

Making An AC Shadows Side-Scroller

I asked Arseneault about the journey of this feature, from its initial experimental stage to its inclusion in the game. He admitted he wasn’t immediately sure how it would fit. The core challenge was figuring out how this cool idea connected to the story and world of Claws of Awaji, and how it would actually work in the gameplay. Arseneault initially dismissed the idea of a ‘flipping door’ mechanic as not fitting the game’s atmosphere, but ultimately, research provided the solution to both of these problems.

During early research for the game, Ubisoft discovered Awaji Island’s rich history with traditional puppet shows. This inspired a shift in the initial concept from a shadow play to a full puppet show, which ultimately became a perfect fit for the Claws of Awaji DLC in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, as explained by Arseneault.

We set the initial concept aside and began exploring different approaches, which led to a breakthrough idea. We realized we could bring it to life through a puppet show, and that’s when everything started to come together. We’ve found a way to make this concept truly work, and it will result in something completely new and original. It’s inspired by AC Chronicles, and we’re building on that foundation.

Will There Be More Side Scrollers in the Future?

Unfortunately, the Claws of Awaji DLC will only include a single side-scrolling section. Developing this feature for *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* was a significant undertaking, taking around 14 months. According to Arseneault, creating more would have been too costly. While challenging and time-consuming, the side-scroller allowed the team to subtly hint at character developments – something they often rely on cinematics for, as that gives them full control. This new approach offered some control while also showcasing a unique atmosphere.

The reaction to the side-scrolling section was a key topic of discussion. While it’s still too early to know how players will ultimately feel about it, everyone at the presentation kept wondering if this DLC would only include one. The development team was limited in what they could create, but that actually suggests some fans are eager for more – and I definitely am! I’d love to see another game like *Assassin’s Creed Chronicles* or similar unique segments in future DLCs. Considering the timeframe, it’s understandable that Arseneault couldn’t commit to whether more are planned.

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2025-09-16 16:37