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

Ubisoft has expressed strong confidence in the pre-order numbers for its eagerly anticipated open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, despite facing a challenging development and promotional phase. The company's latest financial report highlights that "preorders for the game are tracking solidly, in line with those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the second most successful entry in the franchise."

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has echoed this optimism, emphasizing the company's dedication to the upcoming launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows scheduled for March 20. "Early previews have been positive, praising its narrative and immersive experience," Guillemot stated. He further noted the significant roles both characters play in the game’s storyline and commended the "quality and complementarity of the gameplay provided by the dual protagonist approach."

Guillemot also praised the team's efforts, saying, "I want to commend the incredible talent and dedication of the entire Assassin’s Creed team, who is working tirelessly to ensure that Shadows delivers on the promise of what is the franchise’s most ambitious entry yet."

Assassin's Creed Shadows faced multiple delays, initially planned for a November release, then shifted to February 14, and finally set for March 20. This latest entry is not only the long-awaited Japan-set installment but also the first full Assassin's Creed game since 2020. For Ubisoft, which has been grappling with recent flops and investor dissatisfaction, the success of Shadows is crucial.

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