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

Ubisoft has firmly stated that its highly anticipated open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is experiencing robust preorder numbers, despite facing challenges during its development and promotional phases. The company's latest financial report highlighted that "preorders for the game are tracking solidly, aligning with those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the franchise's second most successful entry."

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed unwavering confidence in the game, stating that the company is "fully focused on the upcoming launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on March 20." Early previews have received positive feedback, commending the game's narrative depth and immersive experience. The dual protagonist approach, featuring two characters integral to the storyline, has been praised for the quality and synergy of their gameplay.

Guillemot also took the opportunity to praise the team behind Assassin's Creed Shadows, 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 delivers on the promise of what is the franchise’s most ambitious entry yet."

Originally slated for a November release, Assassin's Creed Shadows was first delayed to February 14, and then further postponed to its current release date of March 20. The game carries significant expectations, 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 Ubisoft, which is eager to rebound from recent flops and investor discontent.

Despite these high hopes, Assassin's Creed Shadows has faced a tumultuous promotional period. 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. These controversies, coupled with the game's delays, have led to growing impatience among fans.