A release date for Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Black Flag-themed DLC has reportedly leaked through PlayStation Store backend data, according to reports compiled by Bez Kabli. While Ubisoft hasn’t confirmed anything officially, PS5 database leaks have proven reliable in the past based on the company’s release schedule.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched on March 20, 2025, as a full-price action-adventure game set in feudal Japan. Right now, it’s priced at $0.99 on Steam. This drastic price cut suggests Ubisoft is trying to boost sales after a rough development phase that involved several delays.
The connection to Black Flag is notable, especially after Ubisoft teased a new character in July 2026 for the Assassin’s Creed Launcher. Releasing a DLC around that time would align with Ubisoft’s strategy of staggered content releases aimed at re-engaging players who may have drifted away, ahead of a larger push for the franchise.
Community feedback on Shadows has been mostly negative, which puts pressure on Ubisoft to provide post-launch content that justifies the game’s price. Players who bought the game at launch are now seeing DLC costs add up on top of their initial purchase.
One Steam reviewer expressed frustration, saying: “Avoid. If you hunt to get 100% completions, prepare to shell out $90 USD in DLC to get the last achievement for that hundo.” This feeling highlights a wider dissatisfaction with Ubisoft’s post-launch monetization approach, which has faced ongoing criticism throughout the Assassin’s Creed series in recent years.
The PlayStation Days of Play 2026 sale, which kicked off in mid-July, featured significant discounts across Ubisoft’s lineup. This suggests the publisher is actively trying to rebuild its player base as the year progresses.
| Release Date | March 20, 2025 |
| Current Steam Price | $0.99 |
| Reported DLC Cost for 100% Completion | ~$90 USD |
| Community Sentiment | Mostly Negative |
| Genre | Action / Adventure |
One Steam reviewer, sharing concerns about completion, remarked: “Guess what game in my library is never getting fully completed.” This statement captures the tension between Ubisoft’s DLC-gating tactics and the completionist players, who traditionally contribute to long-term engagement metrics.
What To Watch
- Whether Ubisoft officially confirms the Black Flag DLC date and if it aligns with the leaked PS5 Store timeline. A confirmation would reinforce the leak source’s credibility for future Shadows content.
- How the DLC pricing compares to the $90 figure players have mentioned as necessary for full completion. Any added cost beyond that will likely heighten community backlash.
- Ubisoft’s activity with the Assassin’s Creed Launcher after the July 2026 new-character teaser, which might relate directly to Shadows’ DLC plans or indicate a separate project altogether.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
