Ubisoft confidently reports strong preorder numbers for the upcoming open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, despite a challenging development and promotional period. Their latest financial report reveals that preorders are on par with Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the franchise's second most successful title.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot reinforces this optimism, stating the company is fully focused on the game's March 20th launch. He highlights positive early previews praising the narrative, immersive experience, and the dual protagonist approach's contribution to gameplay quality. Guillemot commends the development team's dedication to delivering the franchise's most ambitious installment yet.
Assassin's Creed Shadows, initially slated for November, faced delays, first to February 14th, and then to its current March 20th release date. The game carries significant weight for Ubisoft, representing the long-awaited Japan-set entry and the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020. Its success is crucial for the publisher, following recent underperforming titles and investor concerns.
The promotional period has been marred by controversy. The development team issued apologies for inaccuracies in the game's depiction of Japan and for unauthorized use of a historical recreation group's flag. Further, PureArts removed an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its "insensitive" design. These issues, coupled with the delays, have understandably fueled fan impatience.
