Assassin Creed
Ubisoft has announced that the release of its much-anticipated game, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, has been delayed until next year. Originally set to launch on November 12, the game will now be released on February 14, 2025.
The delay follows concerns over Ubisoft’s management and the underwhelming performance of its recent title, Star Wars Outlaws. In response, executive producer Marc-Alexis Cote stated that more time is needed to “polish and refine the experience.”
“We understand this is disappointing news,” Cote said, “but we firmly believe this decision is in the best interest of the game.”
Despite Assassin’s Creed: Shadows being “feature complete,” Ubisoft explained in a trading update that the extra time is necessary to avoid the issues seen with Star Wars Outlaws. While Outlaws had received positive reviews, early players reported bugs and glitches, and sales were softer than expected due to the lack of polish.
Ubisoft has also announced that fans who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed: Shadows will receive refunds, and those who place new pre-orders will get a free expansion upon the revised launch.
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Pushed back
When it finally launches, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will mark the series’ long-awaited debut in Japan—a setting fans have eagerly anticipated since the franchise began in 2007.
Ubisoft’s decision to delay the game beyond the crucial holiday season, typically a profitable period for game sales, was not made lightly. The disappointing sales performance of Star Wars Outlaws dealt a major blow to the company’s stock, with shares plummeting to €11.32 each—their lowest in a decade—at the time of writing.
Earlier this month, a minority investor sent a letter to Ubisoft’s board, urging the company to consider going private or selling to an external investor.
Ubisoft’s co-founder and CEO, Yves Guillemot, attributed the Assassin’s Creed Shadows delay to the company’s weaker-than-expected second-quarter performance. “We remain committed to creating games that fans and players alike can enjoy,” he said.
