Ubisoft has announced that the launch of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” will be delayed until February 14, 2025.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been delayed until February 24, 2025. pic.twitter.com/uNHyUkYWRX
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) September 25, 2024
The game was initially planned for release on November 15, but the publisher cited weak performance of their recent title, “Star Wars Outlaws,” and lower-than-expected profits as reasons for the delay. The decision to push back the release of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” comes as PlayStation announced a similar game set in historical Japan, also slated for a 2025 release.
Ubisoft has delayed Assassin’s Creed Shadows to February 2025 for some polishing work. The good news is that Shadows will also now debut on Steam on Valentine’s Day. Full details below ? https://t.co/wV0O3RUu2f
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) September 25, 2024
Ubisoft explained that while the game is feature-complete, additional time is needed to polish the title and ensure it delivers on its promise. “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” will feature a dual protagonist adventure with characters Naoe and Yasuke, offering two distinct gameplay styles. In a departure from Ubisoft’s current strategy, the game will be available on Steam on its launch day and will not follow the typical Season Pass model.
Ubisoft execs asked by an analyst if they were worried that Sony's Ghost of Yotei (2025) will detract from player interest in the now-delayed AC Shadows.
CEO Yves Guillemot says: "There’s a lot of space for very high-quality games, and those two games can sell very well."
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) September 25, 2024
assassin’s creed shadows delayed
Following the disappointing sales of “Star Wars Outlaws” since its August 30 release, Ubisoft is focusing on implementing updates to improve the player experience. The company aims to engage a larger audience during the holiday season and establish “Star Wars Outlaws” as a strong long-term performer.
The game is set to launch on Steam on November 21. Alongside the game-related news, Ubisoft revised its financial guidance for the fiscal year, lowering its net bookings forecast to approximately €1.95 billion. CEO Yves Guillemot emphasized the company’s commitment to a player-centric, gameplay-first approach and acknowledged the need for greater efficiency.
“Our second quarter performance fell short of our expectations, prompting us to address this swiftly and firmly,” Guillemot stated. “We remain committed to creating games for fans and players to enjoy.”
The delay of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” and the return to Steam mark significant changes in Ubisoft’s strategy as the company seeks to maximize reach and sales in a competitive marketplace.
