Ubisoft Insists Assassin's Creed Shadows Preorders are 'Tracking Solidly,' In Line With Odyssey

Ubisoft remains optimistic about the upcoming open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, despite its challenging development and promotional phases. The company's latest financial report highlights that preorders for the game are performing well, aligning closely with the numbers seen for Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which ranks as the second most successful installment in the franchise.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed his confidence, emphasizing the team's dedication to the game's launch scheduled for March 20. He noted that initial previews have been favorable, commending the game's narrative and immersive experience. The dual protagonist system has been praised for the quality and synergy of gameplay it offers, with both characters playing pivotal roles in the storyline.

Guillemot also praised the hard work and commitment of the Assassin's Creed team, stating, "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 rescheduled to the current date of March 20. As the first full Assassin's Creed game set in Japan since 2020, and following a series of less successful titles, the game carries significant expectations for Ubisoft, which is under pressure to deliver a hit amidst investor concerns.

However, the promotional journey for Assassin's Creed Shadows has been rocky. The development team had to issue apologies for historical inaccuracies in the game's portrayal of Japan and for using a flag from a historical recreation group without permission. Adding to the controversy, collectible figure maker PureArts withdrew an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its "insensitive" design. Coupled with the delays, these issues have led to growing impatience among fans.