The release of Assassin's Creed Shadows comes at a critical time for Ubisoft, following a series of setbacks including delays, the commercial underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws, and a string of high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations. The pressure is palpable as the gaming community and industry analysts closely monitor the game's performance, which could significantly impact Ubisoft's future.
Amidst these challenges, Ubisoft's founding Guillemot family is reportedly engaging in discussions with Chinese conglomerate Tencent and other potential investors about a buyout deal. This move is aimed at retaining control over the company's valuable intellectual property while seeking financial stability.
Early indicators suggest that Assassin's Creed Shadows is off to a promising start. Ubisoft has reported that the game attracted 2 million players within just two days of its launch, exceeding the initial performance of both Origins and Odyssey. However, specific sales figures have yet to be disclosed.
The game's concurrent player numbers on Steam have also been a focal point of analysis. Over the weekend, Shadows achieved a peak of 64,825 concurrent players, making it the most-played Assassin's Creed title on the platform to date. It's noteworthy that this was the series' first day-one launch on Steam. For context, Dragon Age: The Veilguard by BioWare peaked at 89,418 players on the same platform.
While it's challenging to gauge whether Shadows is meeting Ubisoft's internal expectations without specific data, an internal email reviewed by IGN sheds light on the game's initial performance. The email indicates that Shadows achieved the second-highest day-one sales revenue in the franchise's history, only surpassed by Valhalla in 2020, which benefited from the unique circumstances of the global pandemic and next-gen console launches.
Shadows also set a new record for Ubisoft's best day-one launch on the PlayStation Store, signaling strong performance on the PS5. On the PC front, 27% of the game's total activations were on PC, with Steam playing a significant role in its success on that platform.
Ubisoft emphasizes high player engagement and positive feedback from verified platforms, noting that Shadows was the most-wishlisted Ubisoft game ever and is outperforming other Assassin's Creed titles on Twitch. The company acknowledges that while Shadows did not match Valhalla's launch performance, direct comparisons are not fair due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding Valhalla's release. Instead, Ubisoft suggests comparing Shadows to games like Origins, Odyssey, and Mirage, where it sets a new benchmark.
The timing of Shadows' March release, deviating from the usual pre-Thanksgiving launch window, and the absence of an early access period, are also factors influencing its sales. Additionally, Ubisoft's subscription service now available on Xbox complicates sales comparisons across platforms.
Ultimately, the financial success of Assassin's Creed Shadows will be a key determinant of Ubisoft's future trajectory. While early signs are positive, a comprehensive understanding of the game's impact will likely be clearer following Ubisoft's upcoming financial reports.
For those embarking on the adventure through feudal Japan, our comprehensive Assassin's Creed Shadows guide, including a detailed walkthrough, an interactive map, and insights into what the game doesn't explicitly tell you, is available to enhance your gaming experience.
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