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

Assassin's Creed Shadows, slated for release on March 20, 2025, has suffered a significant leak. Social media posts, now removed, showcased images and gameplay footage, allegedly obtained from an online marketplace where multiple copies were reportedly sold for $100 each. Further compounding the issue, several Twitch streams featuring the game appeared before being taken down. IGN has reached out to Ubisoft for comment.

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

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.

The game's release date has been pushed back multiple times, originally planned for November, then February 14th, before settling on the current March 20th launch. The success of Assassin's Creed Shadows is crucial for Ubisoft, given its status as the first full Assassin's Creed game since 2020, the long-awaited Japan-set entry, and the company's need for a strong performer after recent setbacks and investor concerns.

The game's promotional period has been marred by controversy, including apologies for inaccuracies in the depiction of Japan and unauthorized use of a historical recreation group's flag. Further, a collectible figure from PureArts was removed from sale due to its "insensitive" design.