Third Time's the Charm? Assassin's Creed Shadows Release Date of March 20th Looks Promising After Delays

Assassin's Creed fans have been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride with the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows, enduring two release date delays already. However, it seems the third attempt might just stick. Sources at Insider Gaming are indicating that development on the 14th main entry in the series is now complete, and that those within Ubisoft are feeling good about finally hitting that March 20th release date. Adding to the positive outlook, the site also reports that pre-orders for Assassin's Creed Shadows are currently looking impressive.

Originally, Assassin's Creed Shadows was intended to launch in November 2024, a prime spot for holiday sales. But to polish up the game and ensure it met expectations, Ubisoft made the call to push it back to February 14, 2025. Then, just a month before that revised date, another delay hit, moving the launch again to March 20th. Understandably, these shifts have left some gamers understandably skeptical about whether the game will actually be ready and playable come March 20th. However, Insider Gaming suggests that Ubisoft believes they've now addressed key development hurdles and that the current timing feels right for release.

As the first Assassin's Creed game to be set in feudal Japan, Assassin's Creed Shadows is breaking new ground for the franchise in terms of setting. It's also notable for featuring dual protagonists: a female shinobi and an African samurai. These character choices, while intriguing to many, have also generated some controversy and online backlash, with discussions around historical accuracy and representation. Despite these debates, Insider Gaming states that Assassin's Creed Shadows has already racked up approximately 300,000 pre-orders. To put that into context, that figure is comparable to pre-order numbers for 2018's Assassin's Creed Odyssey, a title that went on to become a significant commercial success for Ubisoft. To further maximize the potential reach of Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft is making it available across multiple digital storefronts, including the Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, and Steam.

Ubisoft is clearly hoping that the allure of the unique Japanese setting, coupled with refined stealth mechanics that are a hallmark of the series, and the promise of a vast open-world experience, will be enough to win over any remaining skeptics. The publisher's recent financial struggles are well-documented within the industry, making the commercial performance of Assassin's Creed Shadows particularly critical for Ubisoft's near-term financial health. According to Insider Gaming, reviews for Assassin's Creed Shadows are expected to drop on March 18th, giving potential buyers a final critical perspective just two days ahead of the planned release.

Source(s): Insider Gaming