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

Ubisoft has expressed confidence in the strong preorder numbers for its upcoming open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, despite facing challenges during its development and promotional phases. According to the company's latest financial report, preorders for the game are performing solidly, aligning with those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the second most successful installment in the franchise.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot emphasized this optimism, stating that the company is "fully focused on the upcoming launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on March 20." Early previews of the game have received positive feedback, particularly highlighting its engaging narrative and immersive experience. The dual protagonist system has been praised for the quality and synergy of gameplay, with both characters playing pivotal roles in the storyline.

Guillemot also took the opportunity to commend the dedication and talent of the Assassin’s Creed team, who are tirelessly working to ensure that Shadows lives up to its promise as the franchise's most ambitious entry to date.

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. This game is highly anticipated as the long-awaited Japan-set entry and the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020. With Ubisoft facing recent flops and investor dissatisfaction, a lot is riding on the success of Shadows.

The promotional period for Assassin's Creed Shadows has been marred by controversies, including the development team's apologies for inaccuracies in the game's 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, compounded by the multiple delays, have led to growing impatience among fans.