Introduction

The release of Windows 11 version 24H2 introduced a series of compatibility issues affecting several Ubisoft titles, including Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, Assassin's Creed: Origins, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Star Wars Outlaws, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Players reported crashes, freezes, and performance degradation, prompting collaborative efforts between Microsoft and Ubisoft to address these problems.

Background

Upon the rollout of Windows 11 24H2, users began experiencing significant disruptions while playing certain Ubisoft games. Common issues included games becoming unresponsive during startup, loading, or active gameplay, with some instances resulting in black screens. These problems were notably prevalent in the following titles:

  • Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
  • Assassin's Creed: Origins
  • Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
  • Star Wars Outlaws
  • Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

In response, Microsoft implemented a compatibility hold, preventing devices with these games installed from receiving the 24H2 update to safeguard user experience. (learn.microsoft.com)

Resolution Efforts

Ubisoft promptly addressed these issues by deploying patches and hotfixes:

  • Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora: Temporary hotfixes were released, mitigating crashes, though some performance issues persisted. Microsoft lifted the compatibility hold for these titles on December 5, 2024. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Assassin's Creed: Valhalla and Assassin's Creed: Origins: Updates were deployed to resolve compatibility issues with Windows 11 24H2. The compatibility hold for these games was lifted on January 16, 2025. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Assassin's Creed: Odyssey: After further investigation, it was determined that this title was not affected by the same compatibility issues as the other Assassin's Creed games. No fix was required, and the compatibility hold was lifted accordingly. (learn.microsoft.com)

Technical Details

The root cause of these issues was linked to changes in Windows 11 24H2 that affected game compatibility. Specifically, the Auto HDR feature was identified as a contributing factor, causing games to stop responding or display incorrect colors. Microsoft addressed this by releasing updates that resolved the Auto HDR issues. (learn.microsoft.com)

Implications and Impact

The swift response from both Microsoft and Ubisoft highlights the importance of collaboration between operating system developers and game publishers to ensure a seamless gaming experience. While the initial rollout of Windows 11 24H2 presented challenges, the subsequent patches and updates have restored functionality and performance for affected titles.

Conclusion

The resolution of these compatibility issues underscores the dynamic nature of software development and the necessity for ongoing support and updates. Gamers can now enjoy their favorite Ubisoft titles on Windows 11 24H2 without the previously reported disruptions.