Ubisoft has emphasized that its highly anticipated open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is seeing robust preorder numbers, despite facing challenges during its development and promotional phases. According to the company's recent financial report, "preorders for the game are tracking solidly, aligning with those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which was the second most successful installment in the franchise."
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence in the upcoming release, stating, "We are fully focused on the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows scheduled for March 20." He highlighted the positive feedback from early previews, which have commended the game's narrative depth and immersive experience. The dual protagonist approach has been praised for the quality and synergy it brings to the gameplay, with both characters playing pivotal roles in the storyline.
Guillemot also praised the dedication of the development team, saying, "I want to commend the incredible talent and dedication of the entire Assassin’s Creed team, who are working tirelessly to ensure that Shadows lives up to the promise of being the franchise's most ambitious entry to date."
Originally slated for a November release, Assassin's Creed Shadows faced a delay to February 14, and subsequently to its current release date of March 20. This game carries significant importance not only as the eagerly awaited Japan-set entry and the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020 but also as a critical release for Ubisoft, which is looking to recover from recent underperforming titles and investor discontent.
The promotional period for Assassin's Creed Shadows has not been without its issues. 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. Combined with the multiple delays, these controversies have led to growing impatience among fans.
