# The Steam Ratings for Assassin’s Creed Origins Are Falling – But Microsoft Is the Culprit, Not Ubisoft
In the rapidly changing realm of gaming, where technical glitches and platform upgrades can significantly affect a game’s standing, Assassin’s Creed Origins is caught in an unanticipated turmoil. Since its launch in 2017, the game has received widespread acclaim, yet it is now experiencing a substantial drop in its Steam reviews. Notably, this decline is not attributed to subpar game development or mismanagement from Ubisoft, the game’s creator and publisher. Rather, the issue seems to stem from Microsoft and its recent Windows 11 24H2 update.
## A Legacy Compromised by Technical Challenges
Assassin’s Creed Origins has been admired as a premier installment in Ubisoft’s leading franchise. With its vast open-world set in ancient Egypt, captivating narrative, and polished RPG elements, the game has achieved an impressive 85% positive feedback rating on Steam throughout its lifespan. However, recent evaluations tell a strikingly different story. Over the past 30 days, merely 61% of around 2,500 reviews submitted have been favorable. This drastic downturn has left both fans and industry analysts perplexed.
The underlying issue? A compatibility glitch triggered by Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 update, released just weeks ago. This update has led to Assassin’s Creed Origins, in addition to other Ubisoft games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, experiencing consistent crashes. Players have reported that the game often fails to get past the start menu before it freezes or shuts down completely.
## The Consequences on Steam
The effect of these crashes has been most apparent on Steam, where upset players have flooded the review section to express their frustrations. While numerous reviews concentrate on the game’s failure to operate, only a handful of users have pinpointed the actual source of the problem: the Windows 11 24H2 update. This has resulted in a surge of unfavorable reviews that unjustly criticize Ubisoft, even though the fault clearly lies with Microsoft.
To contextualize the situation, Assassin’s Creed Origins boasts nearly 100,000 reviews on Steam, with the majority being overwhelmingly positive. The recent drop to a mere 61% positive reviews is a significant anomaly, emphasizing the disruptive influence the Windows update has exerted on the game’s standing.
## Microsoft’s Involvement in the Crisis
The Windows 11 24H2 update has stirred considerable controversy, with countless reports of gaming-related issues surfacing since its launch. Microsoft has acknowledged the flaws, confirming that modifications made to DirectX and DXGI (DirectX Graphics Infrastructure) likely contribute to the crashes. These alterations appear to have generated compatibility complications with specific games, including Assassin’s Creed Origins.
Interestingly, the issue does not appear to be tied to the game’s DRM (Digital Rights Management) system, Denuvo, which has frequently been blamed for performance issues previously. Instead, attention has shifted to the adjustments Microsoft made to its graphics infrastructure. These changes have also been linked to various gaming troubles, such as a malfunctioning AutoHDR feature and problems with the widely used Steam application “Lossless Scaling.”
## The Wider Implications for Gaming
Assassin’s Creed Origins is not the sole game impacted by the Windows 11 24H2 update, but it has emerged as the most prominent victim due to its high profile and extensive player base. This situation has ignited fervent debates on platforms like Reddit, where users are discussing the underlying causes and possible remedies. Many are urging Microsoft to promptly resolve the issue, as the update has disrupted not only Ubisoft titles but the wider gaming landscape.
For Ubisoft, the timing couldn’t be worse. The company has weathered its fair share of controversies and technical obstacles in recent years, and while it is not culpable in this case, the negative reviews on Steam could still damage its reputation. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the interconnected nature of the gaming industry, with developers, publishers, and platform providers all held accountable for creating a smooth experience for players.
## What Lies Ahead?
At this juncture, there is little that Ubisoft can do to rectify the situation, as the issue resides with Microsoft’s update. Players facing crashes are advised to revert their Windows 11 installation to a prior version, though this solution is far from ideal. Meanwhile, Microsoft has not yet issued a patch to address the compatibility difficulties brought about by the 24H2 update.
For gamers, this scenario highlights the necessity of staying updated on system changes and their potential effects on beloved titles. For Microsoft, it emphasizes the need for more thorough testing and clearer communication when deploying updates that could influence gaming performance. And for Ubisoft, it serves as a frustrating instance of how external elements can mar the reputation of even the most cherished games.
## Final Thoughts
The declining Steam reviews for Assassin’s Creed Origins serve as a cautionary narrative for the gaming industry.