Discover the Secret Wind Technique in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

When you jump into the world of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” one of the first things you’ll notice is how alive everything feels when the wind picks up. Leaves are swept into the air, the grass sways rhythmically, and Naoe’s hair flutters realistically. This captivating effect really enhances the game’s dynamic seasonal and weather systems. Interestingly, in a Digital Foundry interview with a few of the game’s rendering engineers, it’s revealed that the wind isn’t technically wind—it’s an invisible fluid simulation.

That’s right, what seems like natural wind is actually crafted using fluid dynamics. This technique is quite common in the gaming world, delivering impressive results in diverse titles like “God of War” and “Dwarf Fortress.” It’s no wonder it works so well here too.

The developers at Ubisoft have dubbed the dynamic weather system in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” as Atmos, designed to complement the game’s seasonal themes. As Naoe’s quest for revenge unfolds across different phases of her life, the seasons shift accordingly. One minute, you might find yourself trudging through a snow-covered Japanese countryside, and the next, sprinting through lush fields as the snow melts away. Eventually, the power to change the seasons at will becomes part of your arsenal.

The game boasts new ray-traced lighting effects that elevate its visual appeal to new heights, making it arguably one of the best-looking games around. For me, it’s the first time ray tracing feels crucial for crafting a mood and atmosphere that deepens the narrative experience. Digital Foundry delves into the technicalities, but in essence, the game uses ray tracing to enhance older tech, resulting in more realistic lighting. Whether it’s the way shoji screens glow indoors or the realistic shadows that objects cast outdoors, the difference is stark when you switch off this feature—it dulls the whole world’s vibrancy. Digital Foundry’s experts describe it as a “generational divide in lighting fidelity.”

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” could well justify investing in a PlayStation 5 Pro or a high-end gaming PC with a 50-series Nvidia graphics card. On the PlayStation 5 Pro, it can smoothly hit 60 frames per second with ray tracing active, and it will fully embrace Sony’s PSSR upscaling technology in a future patch. For PC enthusiasts, DLSS and Frame Generation will get you a seamless 60 fps on an RTX 4070 or newer.

This isn’t just about striking visuals; it’s about enhancing how you interact with the world. Dynamic elements, like realistically simulated wind or the ability to slice through bamboo, increase the level of interactivity and tactile realism, reminiscent of the experience in “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” has set a new standard by utilizing cutting-edge technology to create not just hyper-realistic visuals, but a vibrant, immersive world that truly feels alive.