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. Images and gameplay footage surfaced online via social media posts and Twitch streams, reportedly originating from copies obtained through online marketplaces. These streams and posts have since been removed, but not before generating considerable buzz a month ahead of the official launch. Ubisoft has been contacted for comment.

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This leak presents a significant challenge for Ubisoft, a company already facing difficulties surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows. Despite these setbacks, Ubisoft has reported strong preorder numbers, claiming they are comparable to those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the franchise's second-best-selling title. 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 has been delayed multiple times, initially planned for November, then shifted to February 14th, and finally settled on March 20th. The pressure is immense; Shadows is not only the highly anticipated Japan-set entry and the first full Assassin's Creed game since 2020, but also a crucial title for a struggling Ubisoft, seeking to overcome recent underperforming releases and investor concerns.

The game's promotional period has been far from smooth, marked by controversies including apologies for historical inaccuracies in its depiction of Japan, unauthorized use of a historical recreation group's flag, and the removal of a "insensitive" collectible statue by PureArts.