Ubisoft has announced the delay of its highly anticipated title, Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Originally slated for a November 15th release, the game will now hit shelves on February 14th, 2025.
What Prompted the Delay?
According to Marc-Alexis Côté, Vice President and Executive Producer of Assassin’s Creed at Ubisoft, the company needs more time to polish and refine the gaming experience. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Côté said,
“We realize we need more time to polish and refine the experience, pushing further some of our key features.”
However, there is more to this decision than just enhancing the gameplay. A series of events have influenced the decision to push the release date. One major reason seems to be the underwhelming reception of Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft’s latest release. The company is taking extra time to ensure that Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t meet the same fate.
Additionally, the backlash the game is receiving in Japan cannot be ignored. The game’s setting in Feudal Japan has been questionable, with many Japanese fans and historians pointing out numerous historical inaccuracies. Ubisoft probably wants to soothe the fans’ anger or possibly avoid the bad luck of the year 2024 and wants to start fresh in the new year.
Internally, Ubisoft is also dealing with corporate challenges. A minority investor recently called for a change in management, adding to the company’s growing list of problems.
What Changes Can Players Expect?
In a departure from their traditional model, Ubisoft is changing up its season pass approach. All players will now be able to enjoy the game simultaneously on February 14th.
As a bonus, those who pre-order will receive the first expansion for free. This move could be seen as an olive branch to fans disappointed by the delay.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be also available on Steam from day one. This marks a return of Ubisoft’s new releases to Valve’s popular platform.
Aftermath of the Decision
1) Internal Investigation on Underperforming Games:
In the wake of the delay, the company’s Board of Directors will now conduct an investigation to understand the underlying reasons behind the underperformance of some games.
According to reports from Tom Henderson (Insider Gaming), many Ubisoft studios have been struggling due to poor management and the recent developments were “unavoidable.”
This comes on the heels of a minority investor calling for Ubisoft to go private and replace its CEO.
2) Ubisoft Updated Its Financial Outlook:
Ubisoft has also adjusted its financial targets. The company now expects bookings of €1.95 billion ($2.2 billion) in fiscal 2025, down from analysts’ projections of €2.42 billion.
Net bookings for the fiscal second quarter are expected to be between €350 million and €370 million, a drop from the previously forecasted €550 million.
This adjustment reflects not only the Assassin’s Creed Shadows delay (preorders) but also the underwhelming performance of Star Wars Outlaws (sales).
3) Ubisoft Stock Prices Continued to Fall:
Ubisoft’s stock prices have now hit new 11-year lows, with a sharp over 10% drop in the U.S. and European markets after the delay announcement.
The company’s shares are currently trading at €9.76/$2.71 representing a staggering 87% decline from their peak in October 2020.
For context, as of February 14, 2024, Ubisoft shares were trading at €24.39/£24.39 in Europe and the UK, while in the U.S., they were priced at $5.18 per share, marking a significant decline over just seven months.
4) French Employee Union Calls for Strike:
Adding to Ubisoft’s challenges, a union, named STJV, representing employees in France has called for a strike. The strike, planned for October 15 to 17, was triggered by a dispute over a return-to-office mandate and pay issues, per IGN.
Workers are demanding better terms for remote work, 60% profit sharing, wage increases, and an end to an alleged gender pay gap. This follows an earlier strike in February, where nearly 700 Ubisoft employees protested for improved working conditions.
5) Tokyo Game Show Cancellation:
A day before announcing the game’s delay, Ubisoft also canceled its appearance at the Tokyo Game Show, as well as press previews for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, citing “various circumstances.” This has raised further concerns about the company’s state.
Despite all this, anticipation for Assassin’s Creed Shadows remains high. Set in Japan, the game will feature dual protagonists – the samurai Yasuke and the shinobi assassin Naoe. It’s slated for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a macOS version confirmed for the future.
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