Ubisoft Confirms Solid Preorders for Assassin’s Creed Shadows: On Par with Odyssey Success

Ubisoft Expresses Confidence in Assassin’s Creed Shadows Preorders

Ubisoft has reiterated its confidence in the robust preorder figures for its eagerly anticipated game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, despite encountering numerous hurdles during its development and marketing phases.

In a recent financial disclosure, the beleaguered game publisher reported that the preorders for Assassin’s Creed Shadows are on a promising track, comparable to those for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which is one of the franchise’s top-performing installments.

Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, reaffirmed this optimism, emphasizing that the company is concentrating all its efforts on the successful launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, scheduled for release on March 20.

Guillemot highlighted the favorable early reviews that commend the game’s engaging narrative and immersive gameplay. The dual protagonist feature, in particular, has been praised for enhancing both the storyline and the gameplay dynamics.

He also praised the Assassin’s Creed development team for their relentless commitment and exceptional talent, aiming to make Shadows the most ambitious project in the series to date.

Launch Delays and High Expectations

Originally slated for release in November, Assassin’s Creed Shadows saw its launch date moved to February 14, only to be delayed once more, settling on the final release date of March 20. This series of postponements has only heightened anticipation among fans.

The stakes are high for Ubisoft with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, as it is not only the first full game set in Japan and the first complete Assassin’s Creed game since 2020, but it is also crucial for the company’s recovery after several recent underperforming releases and growing dissatisfaction among investors.

Controversial Promotion Period

The promotional campaign for Assassin’s Creed Shadows has not been smooth, marred by multiple public relations issues including the need for the development team to issue apologies for cultural inaccuracies in the portrayal of Japan and unauthorized use of a historical group’s flag.

Further complications arose when a collectible manufacturer, PureArts, withdrew an Assassin’s Creed Shadows themed statue from the market due to its controversial design. These incidents, combined with the game’s delayed release dates, have led to growing impatience and frustration among the fanbase.