People Are Streaming Assassin's Creed Shadows a Month Ahead of Its Official Release Date

Assassin's Creed Shadows, slated for a March 20, 2025 release, has suffered a significant leak. Gameplay footage and images surfaced online via social media and auction sites, weeks ahead of schedule. While the offending posts and streams have been taken down, the damage is done. The leak originated from copies allegedly purchased from an online marketplace, with some selling for $100 each.

This leak is a setback for Ubisoft, a company already facing challenges with the game's development and marketing. Despite these difficulties, Ubisoft previously reported strong preorder numbers, comparing them favorably to Assassin's Creed Odyssey. CEO Yves Guillemot highlighted positive early previews, praising the narrative, immersive experience, and the dual protagonist approach. He lauded the development team's dedication to delivering the franchise's most ambitious installment.

The game's release has been delayed multiple times, initially from November, then February 14th, finally settling on March 20th. The pressure is immense; Shadows is not only the long-awaited Japan-set entry and the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020, but also a crucial release for a struggling Ubisoft, facing investor concerns after recent underperforming titles.

The promotional period has been far from smooth. The development team issued apologies for historical inaccuracies in its depiction of Japan and for unauthorized use of a historical recreation group's flag. Further controversy arose when collectible figure maker PureArts pulled an "insensitive" Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale.

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