Assassin's Creed Shadows Leaks Early: Streaming Surge

Assassin's Creed Shadows, slated for release on March 20, 2025, has suffered a significant leak. Images and gameplay footage surfaced online via social media and streaming platforms, a month ahead of schedule. The leaks originated from copies reportedly purchased from an online marketplace and subsequently appeared in now-deleted listings on a U.S. auction site, with individual copies selling for $100. While streaming platforms are actively removing the leaked content, the damage is done. Ubisoft has been contacted for comment.

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This leak presents a considerable challenge for Ubisoft, a company already facing difficulties with the game's development and marketing. Despite these setbacks, Ubisoft recently reported strong preorder numbers for Assassin's Creed Shadows, claiming they are comparable to those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the second most successful game in the franchise.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence, highlighting positive early previews praising the narrative, immersive experience, dual protagonist approach, and overall gameplay. He commended the development team's dedication to delivering the franchise's most ambitious installment yet.

The game's release date has been subject to multiple delays, originally planned for November, then shifted to February 14th, and finally settled on March 20th. The success of Assassin's Creed Shadows is crucial for Ubisoft, given its status as the long-awaited Japan-set entry, the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020, and the company's need for a strong performer following recent underperforming titles and investor concerns.

The promotional period has been marred by several controversies. The development team apologized for inaccuracies in the game's depiction of Japan and for unauthorized use of a historical recreation group's flag. Furthermore, collectible figure maker PureArts removed an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue due to its "insensitive" design.