Summary
Ubisoft claims that pre-orders forAssassin’s Creed Shadowsare strong ahead of the title’s highly anticipated launch on March 20. While the lead-up to the game’s release has been fraught with controversy and difficulties for its developer, fans of the franchise are notably eager to get their hands onAssassin’s Creed Shadows, which has been delayed twice since its initial reveal in May 2024.
The first game in the series to be set in Japan and the successor to 2023’sAssassin’s Creed Mirage,Assassin’s Creed Shadowswill feature the dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke as they fight against the Templar Order. The game has been on shaky ground several times since it was first announced, with some reacting poorly toAssassin’s Creed Shadows' inclusion of a black protagonistin feudal Japan and others worried about the title’s gameplay and polish following the poor player response to Ubisoft’sStar Wars Outlaws. Despite these issues, the game’s developer is remaining positive, with a recent announcement injecting some much-needed positivity into the franchise’s fan community.
In Ubisoft’s latest quarterly financial results (and shared byEurogamer), the company described pre-orders forAssassin’s Creed Shadowsas “solid,” signaling that demand for the game may be higher than some may have previously thought. No concrete numbers were shared, but the developer did note that current sales are similar to those ofAssassin’s Creed Odyssey, which is currently the second most successful entry in the franchise. Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft’s CEO, noted that earlypreviews forAssassin’s Creed Shadowshave been largely positive, applauding the development team for their hard work ahead of the game’s launch.
Pre-orders for Assassin’s Creed Shadows Are “Solid”
Ubisoft has faced some major difficulties recently, with the French company’s stock price hitting its lowest in a decade in September 2024.Star Wars Outlawsgreatly underperformedfollowing its release in August 2024, and Ubisoft’s free-to-play first-person shooterXDefiantwill shut down in June 2025. The company recently shuttered its studio in Leamington, UK, and cut jobs at Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Ubisoft Stockholm, and Ubisoft Reflections, with a total of 185 employees impacted as part of the developer’s cost reduction program.
A lot is riding on the success ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows, which is now scheduled to be released for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on March 20. In January, Ubisoft shared details about the game’s DLC content, withClaws of Awajipromising to add an additional 10 hours of content to the newestAssassin’s Creedtitle. According to the developers,Assassin’s Creed Shadows' story campaignis comparable in length to previous entries in the series.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
