Anticipation for Assassin’s Creed Shadows is mixed, as fans express concerns about protagonist choices and historical inaccuracies. The game’s release has been postponed from November 15, 2024, to February 14, 2025, missing the holiday season and entering a competitive market. Ubisoft’s Marc-Alexis Coté acknowledges the need for quality improvements and emphasizes the franchise’s commitment to diversity. With high stakes, Shadows aims to redefine both the series and Ubisoft, launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series amidst significant competition.
Anticipation and Concerns Surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Ever since its announcement, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has generated a mixed response from fans eager to see Ubisoft’s beloved franchise set in the rich backdrop of feudal Japan. However, the choice of its two protagonists and some glaring inaccuracies in depicting 16th-century Japan have left many players dissatisfied. Recent trailers indicate that the game still requires considerable refinement, prompting a delay from its original release date of November 15, 2024, to February 14, 2025. This shift means that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will miss the lucrative holiday season and will instead launch in a crowded month filled with other major titles. Marc-Alexis Coté, the head of the Assassin’s Creed series, shared insights on this situation during a recent BAFTA event with Eurogamer.
The Significance of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for Ubisoft
Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents a pivotal moment for Ubisoft, especially in light of the disappointing performance of Star Wars Outlaws, a project on which the company had high hopes. The success of this upcoming title hinges on various factors, and unfortunately, many indicators suggest a rocky road ahead. In a candid interview, Coté acknowledged the challenges the franchise faces.
“Players rightly demand excellence. Ubisoft has been under intense scrutiny for years due to fluctuations in the quality of its games. We understand the need for enhanced polishing, innovation, and a stronger commitment to our projects, and our community is vocal when we fall short. We must improve and elevate our standards. For me, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is our opportunity to redefine that, not only for the franchise but for Ubisoft as a whole.”
Addressing the ongoing dialogue around diversity and inclusivity, Coté emphasized the franchise’s long-standing commitment to exploring the breadth of human history. “The series has consistently featured characters from various backgrounds and beliefs. Naoe and Yasuke exemplify this diversity. One is a real-life African figure who lived in Japan, while the other is a woman who took up arms to defend herself amid conflict, challenging societal norms. Our community’s feedback is invaluable, and we must distinguish between constructive criticism and intolerance.”
The stakes are high for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Coté remains optimistic. “This game has the potential to stand as one of the finest in our series, set in a historically significant era. Nevertheless, simply being ‘among the best’ is insufficient in today’s competitive landscape. That’s why we decided to delay its release; this is our one chance to get it right. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is our most ambitious and intricate project to date, and it must launch in its best form to showcase Ubisoft’s commitment to elevating quality for both the franchise and the studio.”
As the release date approaches, the pressure mounts on both the franchise head and Ubisoft. Public sentiment around Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been challenging, and the game needs to reignite interest in the balance between past and present after a prolonged period of uncertainty. Players will finally get to see the game in action on February 14, 2025, available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series. This date is significant, as it coincides with a particularly competitive month featuring titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, Avowed, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. The competition is undeniably fierce.