Ubisoft: Assassin's Creed Shadows Preorders Strong, Match Odyssey

Ubisoft has emphasized that its eagerly anticipated open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is experiencing robust preorder numbers, despite facing challenges during its development and promotional phases. In its most recent financial report, the company highlighted that "preorders for the game are tracking solidly, aligning with those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which stands as the second most successful installment in the franchise."

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed optimism about the game's upcoming launch, scheduled for March 20. He stated, "We are fully focused on the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Early previews have been encouraging, with praise for its narrative depth and immersive experience. The dual protagonist approach enhances the gameplay, with both characters playing pivotal roles in the storyline."

Guillemot further acknowledged the team's efforts, 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 fulfills its promise as the franchise’s most ambitious entry to date."

Assassin's Creed Shadows faced multiple release date shifts, initially planned for November, then postponed to February 14, and finally rescheduled to March 20. This game carries significant weight for Ubisoft, not only as the long-awaited entry set in Japan and the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020 but also as a crucial release for the company following recent underperforming titles and investor concerns.

The game's promotional period has been marred by controversies, including the development team's apologies for historical inaccuracies in the depiction of Japan and unauthorized use of a historical recreation group's flag. Additionally, collectible figure maker PureArts had to withdraw an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its "insensitive" design. Combined with the delays, these issues have contributed to growing impatience among fans.