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

Despite a rocky development and promotional journey, Ubisoft has confirmed that preorders for *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* are performing well. In its latest financial report, the publisher noted that preorder numbers are "solidly tracking," comparing favorably to those of *Assassin’s Creed Odyssey*, which remains the second most successful title in the franchise to date.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence in the game’s upcoming launch, emphasizing that the company is “fully focused” on delivering the game by its current release date of March 20. He added that early feedback from previews has been encouraging, with praise centered around the narrative depth, immersive world-building, and the unique dual-protagonist gameplay structure. According to Guillemot, both main characters play pivotal roles in the story, and their contrasting playstyles offer a complementary and engaging experience.

He also acknowledged the hard work of the development team, stating they are “working tirelessly” to ensure *Shadows* lives up to being the most ambitious entry in the series yet.

Originally slated for a November 2024 release, the game was first delayed to February 14 before being pushed again to March 20—leaving fans disappointed after expecting to play it much sooner. Given the importance of this title, expectations are high: not only is *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* the long-awaited return to feudal Japan, but it also marks the first full installment since 2020’s *Valhalla*. For Ubisoft, the game represents a critical opportunity to regain investor trust and reverse a string of recent commercial disappointments.

However, the road to launch has been anything but smooth. The development team has issued public apologies for cultural inaccuracies in the portrayal of Japanese history and for using a historical recreation group's flag without permission. Additionally, collectible figure maker PureArts pulled an *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* statue from sale due to what it described as an “insensitive” design.

Combined with the multiple delays, these controversies have tested the patience of many longtime fans. As the March 20 release date approaches, all eyes will be on Ubisoft to see whether *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* can deliver on its promise and reinvigorate both the franchise and the publisher’s standing in the industry.