Ubisoft announced a completely unexpected move by delaying their highly anticipated game Assassin’s Creed Shadows until February 14, 2025, stating in their statement that they need more time to polish their game and deliver it in the best shape for players. The company also announced that they will refund those who pre-ordered the game, offer the first expansion for free to future pre-orders, and release the game on the Steam platform from day one, like all the company’s future games.
The company explained in their statement:
Dear players,
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a dream project for us; taking the series finally to feudal Japan with many features developed while considering our community, such as parkour or a new stealth system thanks to new technology, all in a beautiful and immersive world. It is an ambitious addition to the franchise, a rich experience that can be lived through the eyes of two unique heroes, but we realize that we need more time to polish and improve the game, and push some of our key features towards the better.
Therefore, we have made the decision to postpone its release to February 14, 2025. The game will be released on a wide range of platforms, including Steam from day one. In addition, the funds that were paid in advance will be refunded and all future reservations will receive the first expansion for free.
We understand that this decision is disappointing news, especially for those eagerly awaiting an Assassin’s Creed game inspired by feudal Japan, but we sincerely believe that this is in the best interest of the game, and ultimately in your experience as players.
Rest assured that we look forward to the moment of your embarkation on an unforgettable adventure with Naoki and Yasuki.
Until then, we thank you for your continued support.
Mark Alexis Cote, on behalf of all the teams working on Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Due to this delay, according to Insider Gaming, the company’s stocks have fallen to 9.89 euros per share, marking the first time since 2014 that the company’s stocks have dropped below ten euros, making it the worst price the company’s shares have reached in a whole decade!
In a related context, the company announced that it will conduct an internal investigation aimed at addressing the problem that has caused the company’s struggle in recent years, with CEO Yves emphasizing in an internal memo that Ubisoft is an entertainment company first and foremost. “We are an entertainment company, so our goal is not to support a specific agenda, but our goal has always been to entertain players and provide them with unforgettable experiences.”