Ubisoft has expressed confidence in the strong preorder numbers for its upcoming open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, despite facing challenges during its development and promotional phases. According to the company's latest financial report, "preorders for the game are tracking solidly, in line with those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the second most successful entry of the franchise."
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot remains optimistic, emphasizing the company's full focus on the game's launch scheduled for March 20. "Early previews have been positive, praising its narrative and immersive experience, with both characters playing critical roles in the game’s storyline, as well as the quality and complementarity of the gameplay provided by the dual protagonist approach," Guillemot stated. He also praised the dedication of the Assassin's Creed team, noting their tireless efforts to ensure that Shadows meets the high expectations set for this ambitious entry in the franchise.
Assassin's Creed Shadows was initially slated for a November release, which was later postponed to February 14. However, another delay pushed the release date to March 20. This game carries significant weight for Ubisoft, not only as the long-awaited Japan-set entry and the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020 but also as a crucial release for the struggling publisher following recent underperforming titles and investor dissatisfaction.
The promotional period for Assassin's Creed Shadows has been marred by several controversies. The development team issued apologies for inaccuracies in the game's depiction of Japan and for using a historical recreation group's flag without permission. Additionally, collectible figure maker PureArts had to remove an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its "insensitive" design. Coupled with the multiple delays, these issues have led to growing impatience among fans.
