Ubisoft has confidently stated that its highly anticipated open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is enjoying robust preorder numbers, despite facing challenges during its development and promotional phase. According to the company's recent financial report, "preorders for the game are tracking solidly, in line with those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which ranks as the second most successful entry in the franchise."

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed optimism about the game's upcoming launch, set for March 20. "We are fully focused on the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows," he said. "Early previews have been overwhelmingly positive, commending the game's narrative depth and immersive experience. The dual protagonist approach has been particularly praised for the quality and synergy of gameplay it offers."

Guillemot also took the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the development team, stating, "I want to commend the incredible talent and dedication of the entire Assassin's Creed team, who are working tirelessly to ensure that Shadows fulfills the promise of being the franchise's most ambitious entry to date."

Assassin's Creed Shadows was initially slated for a November release, which was then postponed to February 14. However, further delays have pushed the launch date to March 20. This game carries significant weight for Ubisoft, not only as the eagerly awaited Japan-set installment and the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020 but also as a crucial release for the struggling publisher following recent commercial disappointments and investor discontent.

The promotional journey for Assassin's Creed Shadows has been fraught with difficulties. The development team issued apologies for inaccuracies in the game's depiction of Japan and for using a historical recreation group's flag without permission. Additionally, collectible figure maker PureArts had to withdraw an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its "insensitive" design. Coupled with the multiple delays, these issues have fueled growing impatience among fans.