If you've just booted up Assassin's Creed Shadows, you're likely to find yourself in the Animus Hub.
It could easily be mistaken for a new menu or just another launcher screen.
But dig deeper, and you'll notice Ubisoft is preparing something that could reshape the way we experience the series.
Here's a full breakdown of what it actually does, how it works, and why it might matter more than you think.
What Is The Animus Hub?
The Animus Hub is Ubisoft's new central Hub that connects the franchise's recent and future titles under one roof.
click to enlarge
+ 6Shadows are now launched from the Animus Hub, a timeline-based interface, instead of Ubisoft Connect or Steam.
It's built into the game, not a separate app, and though it looks like a secondary launcher, it does a lot behind the scenes.
You can get to it directly from the game's main menu by choosing "Animus," or even while you're in-game or on the pause screen by following the prompt in the top-left corner.
You just need to log in with the same Ubisoft account when switching platforms, like from PC to console, to carry over your progress.
Right off the bat, you're taken to the "Memories" screen, which shows a timeline of the series.
From there, you can jump into Shadows or launch other titles like Valhalla, Mirage, Odyssey, or Origins if installed.
Ubisoft has lined up the games in order, with visuals and historical notes.
Some entries on the timeline are there purely for reference for now (like Unity or Syndicate), but that may change in future updates.
But Memories is only where it all starts. The Hub breaks down into four main parts:
1. Memories
You can view your library of recent Assassin's Creed games in this timeline view.
click to enlarge + 6Selecting one gives you a synopsis, some visual context (like trailers or background lore), and, if installed, a quick way to jump into the game.
The game will redirect you to a purchase link for your platform if you don't have it.
It's immersive and blends the Animus theme in a way that makes the modern-day story feel way more connected.
2. Projects
Projects are Shadows' spin on battle passes, but they're free.
click to enlarge + 6Each project features a series of themed challenges (aka Anomalies) that change over time.
Completing these tasks earns you Data Fragments, which push your progress through the Project and unlock rewards like armor sets, weapons, crafting resources, and "Keys."
You can only work on one Project at a time, but your progress will be saved if you switch. Cross them off to move forward in the Project and unlock rewards.
You don't have to spend real money here (at least for now) since it's all tied into the gameplay.
It feels light right now, but there's definitely room for expansion with seasonal updates or new content drops.
3. Exchange
The Exchange is where you use the Keys you've earned from Projects or gameplay.
click to enlarge + 6It's like a rotating marketplace with different items every day and week. You can trade Keys for armor sets, weapons, mounts, and visual customizations for your hideout and allies here.
It's its own system apart from the premium Helix Store, and while the items are technically free, you'll need to stay active in-game to gather enough Keys for the bigger rewards.
It's a player-friendly setup that lets you access premium content just for playing; no microtransactions are required.
4. Vault
Here's where the lore lovers will want to hang out.
click to enlarge + 6The Vault holds narrative content connected to the modern-day Assassin's Creed universe.
Instead of being baked right into the main campaign, you unlock these segments through videos, narrative files, and hidden lore as you go.
One of the first videos even shows a classic Abstergo propaganda reel getting hijacked by the Assassins.
Some of this content is locked away for now, potentially tied to later story beats or future updates.
click to enlarge + 6Casual players might ignore the Animus Hub, but Ubisoft is taking a bold step to unite the franchise in one spot.
It takes a page from other live-service hubs (like Call of Duty HQ) and gives it that Assassin's Creed touch. It's pretty contained at the moment, but the bones are there for it to evolve.
If Ubisoft sticks to adding lore, seasonal content, or even side stories, the Animus Hub might become more than it looks at first.
For long-time fans, it's definitely worth diving into.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Assassin's Creed and Guides page.