Assassin's Creed Shadows has surfaced online prematurely, with unauthorized gameplay streams appearing nearly a month before its scheduled launch.
As reported by the GamingLeaksandRumours subreddit, deleted social media posts exposed screenshots and gameplay footage from an individual who allegedly purchased the game through third-party channels. TheGamer also documented removed eBay listings where multiple copies were being sold for $100 each.
Several Twitch streams showcasing Assassin's Creed Shadows have emerged, though they're being promptly taken down per VGC's reports. The official launch remains set for March 20, 2025. Ubisoft has not yet responded to IGN's request for comment.
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This leak presents another challenge for Ubisoft, which has faced numerous obstacles with Assassin's Creed Shadows since its announcement. Earlier this month, the company defended the game's preorder performance despite its rocky development cycle and marketing issues.
The publisher's recent financial statement revealed: "Presales are tracking steadily, comparable to Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the franchise's second highest-grossing installment."
CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence: "Early feedback highlights the compelling narrative and immersive worldbuilding, with both protagonists offering distinct but complementary gameplay experiences through our dual-character system," he stated.
"I want to recognize our dedicated development team who are delivering the most ambitious Assassin's Creed project to date."
The game initially targeted a November release before being postponed to February 14, then ultimately delayed to its current March 20 launch window.
Assassin's Creed Shadows carries significant weight as both the anticipated Japanese setting debut and Ubisoft's first full franchise installment since 2020. The company urgently needs commercial success following recent underperformances and shareholder dissatisfaction.
The marketing campaign has faced repeated controversies, including developer apologies for historical inaccuracies in depicting Japanese culture and unauthorized use of a heritage group's emblem.
Additional backlash emerged when merchandise company PureArts withdrew a collector's statue due to design criticisms.
