Charles Benoit, the creative lead for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, expressed his “pride” that the game launched at all. He told GamesRadar that in today’s industry, getting a game out the door really feels like an achievement. This sentiment captures a larger anxiety within AAA game development. Rising budgets, layoffs, and extended crunch periods have made launching games more precarious than ever.
Shadows faced a rocky path to release. Ubisoft delayed the game twice—first from November 2024 to February 2025, then again to March 2025—citing the need for extra polish after the mixed reviews for Star Wars Outlaws. During this time, Ubisoft’s stock took a significant hit, and the company admitted it needed Shadows to succeed.
As for its performance, Shadows did deliver, at least by the metrics Ubisoft chose to highlight. The publisher claimed Shadows became its biggest PC launch ever in terms of player count and that it exceeded internal expectations in its first weeks. However, whether these figures lead to the sustained commercial recovery Ubisoft requires remains uncertain. Benoit’s relief at reaching launch day shows the immense internal pressure surrounding the project.
Benoit’s perspective—viewing a shipped product as a win—reflects a development landscape where high-profile cancellations have become all too common. Since 2023, major studios have scrapped or put on hold numerous projects, including those from EA, Sony, and Microsoft-owned studios. Ubisoft has also felt the impact; the company laid off about 277 employees in September 2024 alone.
At the same time, the Assassin’s Creed franchise is branching out beyond just games. Netflix’s live-action Assassin’s Creed series has kicked off production. Ubisoft confirmed that the show takes place in Rome, and the cast has now been officially announced. This series represents a major investment in the franchise’s recognition value, especially as Ubisoft works to stabilize its financial situation and show that the franchise can thrive across different media.
| Release Date | March 20, 2025 |
| Delays Before Launch | 2 (from original Nov 2024 date) |
| Ubisoft Job Cuts (Sept 2024) | ~277 positions |
| OpenCritic Score (at launch) | ~79/100 |
| PC Launch Ranking (Ubisoft internal) | Biggest in company history by player count |
Community feedback on the game has been mixed but is gradually becoming more positive. One Steam reviewer, who logged over 80 hours, noted that Shadows “finally feels like Ubisoft listened—the world reacts to you, the characters have weight, and Japan was absolutely the right setting.” Some long-time fans have been more cautious. They’ve remarked that the dual protagonist setup, featuring shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke, works surprisingly well in practice compared to how it sounded during the game’s controversial pre-launch phase.
What To Watch
- Ubisoft’s financial recovery: The next earnings report will reveal whether Shadows’ player count translates into the revenue needed to stabilize operations and ease the pressure on the studio’s remaining projects.
- The Netflix series: Currently in production and set in Rome, the live-action Assassin’s Creed show represents Ubisoft’s biggest media expansion. Casting news and first-look footage will gauge whether the franchise can finally succeed in this format after several failed film attempts.
- Post-launch support for Shadows: Ubisoft has promised ongoing content updates. How the team maintains player interest and whether paid expansions resonate with the audience will influence the game’s long-term impact on the franchise.
