Ubisoft confidently reports strong preorder numbers for Assassin's Creed Shadows, despite setbacks. Their latest financial report indicates preorders are comparable to those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, a franchise high-water mark.
CEO Yves Guillemot emphasizes the company's dedication to the March 20th launch, highlighting positive early previews praising the narrative, immersive experience, and dual protagonist gameplay. He commended the development team for their work on what he calls the franchise's most ambitious installment.
The game's release has been delayed twice, initially from November to February 14th, and then again to March 20th. High expectations surround Assassin's Creed Shadows; it's the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020 and the long-awaited Japan-set entry. Ubisoft needs its success to counter recent underperformance and investor concerns.
The promotional period has been marred by controversy. The development team apologized for inaccuracies in the game's depiction of Japan and unauthorized use of a historical recreation group's flag. Further, PureArts removed a collectible statue due to its "insensitive" design. These issues, coupled with the delays, have fueled fan impatience.
