Ubisoft announced a further delay for the video game Assassin’s Creed Shadows, pushing its release date from February 14 to March 20, 2025.
Ubisoft aims to enhance the gameplay quality based on player feedback and ensure a high-quality launch for this pivotal title in their long-standing franchise.
Set to explore the rich tapestry of feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows features dual protagonists—a samurai and an assassin—blending historical intrigue with the franchise’s signature stealth mechanics.
Ubisoft emphasized its commitment to refining the game in an official post from the game’s Twitter account, @AssassinsCreed, which stated,
We want to express our heartfelt thanks to our incredible fans and dedicated teams for your unwavering support since November. We’ve been thrilled to share progress through GamePlay Overviews, and thanks to your valuable feedback, we believe remarkable strides have been made.
Industry analysts suggest that Ubisoft’s decision to delay could be strategic, especially given the company’s recent track record with game releases. Ubisoft has faced commercial challenges with titles like Star Wars Outlaws, and the success of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is crucial for the company’s financial recovery.
This delay might provide Ubisoft with the necessary time to deliver a product that could potentially reverse its recent fortunes.
An internal email from Marc-Alexis Côté, an executive producer on the series, indicates that this delay might also impact other projects in Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed roadmap, including a rumoured remake of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and a multiplayer game, Assassin’s Creed Invictus.
In response to the delay, Ubisoft has adjusted the offerings for the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Collector’s Edition. The company removed the season pass, which was initially included, to reduce the price by approximately $50, making it more accessible to fans.
This edition will now launch on the same date as the standard version, without the previously promised three days of early access.
Ubisoft has also promised to keep the community engaged through upcoming gameplay reveals and an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session with the development team, aiming to maintain fan excitement and provide transparency during this extended development period.
As Ubisoft navigates through this delay, the gaming market watches closely. The company’s ability to deliver a polished, engaging experience with Assassin’s Creed Shadows could significantly influence its market position in the competitive landscape of video game publishing. With competitors like Rockstar Games gearing up for the release of GTA6, Ubisoft’s timing and execution will be critical in avoiding a potential market flop.
For now, fans of the Assassin’s Creed series will have to wait a bit longer, but Ubisoft’s commitment to quality might just make the wait worthwhile.
