Assassin’s Creed Shadows Launch: Success and Insights
After numerous delays, the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows has finally launched, achieving remarkable market performance that exceeds recent entries in the franchise. Long-time fans are particularly excited to immerse themselves in the captivating world of Feudal Japan, a setting they have longed for over the years.
Development Costs and Delays
A significant point of interest for players revolves around the development investment by Ubisoft. Although the company has refrained from revealing specific figures, industry experts estimate that the production cost ranges between $250 million and $350 million.
In a statement from Ubisoft’s CEO in 2024, it was revealed that the game’s multiple delays would result in an additional financial burden of €20 million, which translates to around $21.6 million.
Details Behind the Delay
Originally set to debut in November 2024, the release was pushed back to February 2025 by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. In his announcement, he indicated that this delay would impose further costs:
“While the game is feature complete, the learnings from the Star Wars Outlaws release led us to provide additional time to further polish the title. This will enable the biggest entry in the franchise to fully deliver on its ambition, notably by fulfilling the promise of our dual protagonist adventure, with Naoe and Yasuke bringing two very different gameplay styles.”
In January 2025, Marc-Alexis Côté announced a second delay, moving the launch to March 2025. He stated:
“While we’ve already made remarkable strides, we believe a few additional weeks are needed to implement that feedback and ensure an even more ambitious and engaging day-one experience.”
Early Success and Player Reception
Ubisoft’s commitment to quality has paid off. The company recently shared on X that Assassin’s Creed Shadows surpassed one million players within mere hours post-launch. The announcement noted:
“It’s not even 4PM here in Canada and Assassin’s Creed Shadows has already passed 1 million players! Thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts for joining this adventure in Feudal Japan. We are beyond excited to start this journey with you!”
The game is now available for purchase on major platforms, including Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Game Store. With its immersive world and engaging gameplay, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised to be a significant title within the franchise.