Assassin's Creed: Shadows Release Leaked Early

Assassin's Creed Shadows, slated for a March 20, 2025 release, has suffered a significant leak. Gameplay footage and images surfaced online, reportedly from copies acquired through an online marketplace and subsequently shared on social media and Twitch, before being taken down. TheGamer reported listings on a US auction site selling multiple copies for $100 each. VGC confirmed the removal of several Twitch streams showcasing the leaked content. Ubisoft has been contacted for comment.

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This leak presents a significant challenge for Ubisoft, a company already facing headwinds with Assassin's Creed Shadows. Despite the troubled development and marketing, Ubisoft recently claimed strong preorder numbers, comparable to Assassin's Creed Odyssey. CEO Yves Guillemot highlighted positive early previews praising the narrative, immersive experience, and dual protagonist gameplay. He also commended the development team's dedication.

The game, initially planned for November, has been delayed twice, first to February 14th, and then to its current March 20th release date. The pressure is immense; Shadows is not only the long-awaited Japan-set installment and the first full Assassin's Creed game since 2020, but also a crucial title for a struggling Ubisoft needing a successful launch to counter recent financial setbacks and investor concerns.

The game's promotional campaign has been marred by controversy. The development team apologized for historical inaccuracies in its depiction of Japan and for unauthorized use of a historical recreation group's flag. Further, collectible figure maker PureArts withdrew an "insensitive" Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale.