While it’s no secret that Ubisoft has maintained a close relationship with Nintendo over the years, going as far as making exclusive games for the latter’s consoles, in a new interview, the company has revealed that it is helping Nintendo with improving support for variable refresh rate (VRR) across other games on the Switch 2. While Ubisoft had already spoken about how it achieved VRR support in the Switch 2 version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the studio went into more detail with FRVR about the techniques used, including a dedicated algorithm.
Ubisoft noted that “both Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws use a similar technique to take advantage of Switch 2’s Variable Refresh Rate, even below 40Hz”.
“Since Shadows targets 30fps, and the console’s VRR currently only works at 40Hz or higher, we use a clever workaround,” explained the company. “The same frame is effectively presented twice, once in the middle of the frame and again at the end, so the hardware outputs at a 60Hz interval while maintaining smooth visuals”.
Ubisoft went on to confirm that this same technology that allows its titles to support VRR on the Switch 2 is now part of the company’s in-house Anvil Engine, which powers all of the company’s modern games. This means that it can also be used for future titles, including the rumoured upcoming Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Resynced, which will likely also make its way to the Switch 2.
Along with this, Ubisoft is “continuing to work with Nintendo to improve VRR support going forward.”
While Ubisoft has already released both Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws on the Nintendo Switch 2, it is currently unknown whether the company will bring its other major title—Rainbow Six Siege X—to the platform.
Speaking about this, creative director Alexander Karpazis had noted back in October that it wasn’t currently focusing on bringing the competitive shooter to more platforms. However, he also said that it doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t come to Nintendo’s console, using the adage “never say never”.
“For us, the focus will always be on the platforms we’re on right now, making sure that it’s the best experience, and when we do new gameplay [that] it makes use of the platforms that we’re on. So right now, any new platform isn’t necessarily a focus for us. But again, we’re a live game, it’s 10 years. I learnt a long time ago to never say never, so we’ll see as platforms grow and new opportunities come up too,” he said in an interview.
As for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft revealed in its recent earnings report last month that the open-world action adventure title has been overperforming. In its earnings report, the company noted that the title benefitted from post-launch updates, including the free update that brought in New Game+, as well as the release of the Claws of Awaji expansion.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise as a whole has also managed to generate “211 million session days,” which Ubisoft noted was 35 percent higher than the average from the last few years.
