Ubisoft recently showcased the Hideout feature in Assassin’s Creed Shadows during a deep dive on March 6-7, 2025, revealing the “fully customizable sandbox” as a game-changer, and a lot of us fans are indeed already calling it one of the game’s standout elements. Set in the secluded valley of Izumi in the Settsu province, the Hideout becomes our customizable sanctuary early in the story, after meeting its caretaker, Tomiko.
From there, it evolves into a base of operations, where you can rest, plan, and interact with allies that you recruited along the way.
Customize, Build, and Make It Your Own
The Hideout offers full creative freedom across an acre of land. As you explore Japan, you will gather resources like wood, crops, and minerals, which are used to place buildings and unlock upgrades.
You will be able to customize:
- Paths, fences, and lighting
- Pavilions, rooms, and structures with functional gameplay bonuses
- Decorative elements, animals, and even wild critters you find in the world
- Interior styles, wall designs, and gear displays
Many buildings come with gameplay functions, including:
- Forge: upgrade, dismantle, transmog gear
- Dojo: train and strengthen your allies
- Stables: unlock resource smuggling
- Kakurega safehouses: extend fast travel and contract access
- Study, Jinja, Tea Room, Gallery, and more
Each upgrade adds more than just visual flair because it directly supports your progression and combat options.
And while it is not tied to power progression, it’s worth mentioning just how stunning the Hideout looks during seasonal changes. Check out how the environment transforms throughout the year in this quick showcase:
A Living, Breathing Base
The Hideout also becomes sort of a social hub. As your league grows, so does the population! Duelists, blacksmiths, and other characters will live, train, and interact in your base. You will even witness conversations between allies, adding even more life and personality to your home.
And yes, you can pet the animals. From cats and tanukis to baby deer, your Hideout can be filled with cute companions found through exploration and the Sumi-e painting activity.
TL;DR – What Makes the Hideout Special?
As previously mentioned, the Hideout is more than just a safe haven; it is your fully customizable home base. Key features include:
- Modular buildings you can design and expand
- Recruitable allies and companions, with Brotherhood-style systems
- Pettable animals like cats, tanukis, and deer
- Customizable decorations that reflect your personal style and achievements
For a deeper look into everything mentioned, check out Ubisoft’s official blog post.
This Hideout system might honestly be the game’s secret weapon because it blends creativity with progression in a way Assassin’s Creed has not done before. Are you excited about it? The release is just around the corner! Soon, you will be able to build your dream lair.