Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows Shows Solid Pre-Order Demand Ahead of March 20 Launch

Ubisoft has shared encouraging pre-order numbers for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, ahead of its March 20 release. While the company did not disclose exact figures, it stated that pre-orders are tracking in line with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, a previous fan favorite that sold over 10 million copies. This announcement comes as Ubisoft seeks to recover from a challenging year, following disappointing sales of other major titles like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Star Wars Outlaws.

A Vital Launch for Ubisoft

With its share price reaching a 10-year low and a series of recent game launches underperforming, Ubisoft is heavily banking on Assassin’s Creed Shadows to drive success. The game, set in Japan, marks the first new mainline Assassin’s Creed title since Valhalla in 2020. Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to bring a fresh, dual-protagonist approach to the franchise, with early previews already highlighting praise for its narrative and immersive experience.

In its third-quarter 2024-2025 earnings call, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot described Shadows as the “most ambitious” game in the series yet. He expressed optimism, noting that the game’s narrative and gameplay innovations are resonating with early reviews.

Delay and Development Efforts

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has faced multiple delays. Originally scheduled for November 2024, it was first pushed to February 14, 2025, before being delayed again to its current March 20 launch date. Ubisoft explained that the extra time was necessary for additional polishing to meet the high expectations fans have for the franchise.

The game will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X. Ubisoft hopes that the extended development window will ensure Shadows meets the standard set by previous blockbuster Assassin’s Creed titles, especially Valhalla, which generated over $1 billion in revenue.

Ubisoft’s Broader Financial Landscape

In addition to updates on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft’s earnings report revealed a net booking figure of EUR 301.8 million ($2.7 billion) for Q3 2025, aligning with revised expectations. Guillemot also discussed ongoing cost-reduction measures, including studio closures and restructuring efforts. These initiatives are aimed at reducing Ubisoft’s fixed costs by EUR 200 million by the end of the fiscal year 2024-2025.

The company’s shift away from live-service games has also played a role in its financial outlook. Several high-profile projects, including an open-world multiplayer game from Days Gone developer Bend Studio, have been canceled as part of this change in direction.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As Assassin’s Creed Shadows approaches its March launch, Ubisoft is hoping for a successful comeback. The game’s positive early reviews, combined with its potential to reinvigorate the franchise, could be just the thing Ubisoft needs to reverse its fortunes. Despite recent setbacks, there’s still hope that Shadows can deliver the blockbuster success that Ubisoft desperately needs in a year of uncertainty.

Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows rise to the occasion, or will the franchise’s ambitious goals falter? Only time will tell, but early signs suggest it could be an exciting new chapter for Ubisoft.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the game’s release.