Ubisoft has reported that preorders for its much-anticipated open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, are robust, aligning closely with the preorder numbers of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which was the franchise's second most successful title. Despite a challenging development and promotional period, the game is showing promising signs of strong market interest.

In the latest financial report, Ubisoft highlighted that "preorders for the game are tracking solidly, in line with those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey." CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence in the upcoming launch, set for March 20, stating, "We are currently fully focused on the upcoming launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows."

Early previews of the game have received positive feedback, particularly praising its narrative depth and immersive experience. The dual protagonist approach has been lauded for the quality and synergy of gameplay it offers, with both characters playing pivotal roles in the storyline. Guillemot commended the dedication of the Assassin’s Creed team, saying, "I want to commend the incredible talent and dedication of the entire Assassin’s Creed team, who is working tirelessly to ensure that Shadows delivers on the promise of what is the franchise’s most ambitious entry yet."

Originally slated for a November release, Assassin's Creed Shadows was first delayed to February 14 and then again to its current release date of March 20. The game carries significant weight for Ubisoft, not only as the long-awaited entry set in Japan and the first full Assassin's Creed game since 2020 but also as a crucial title needed to bolster the company's performance following recent underwhelming releases and investor unrest.

However, Assassin's Creed Shadows has faced a rocky promotional period. The development team issued apologies for inaccuracies in the game's depiction of Japan and for using a historical recreation group's flag without permission. Additionally, collectible figure maker PureArts had to withdraw an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its "insensitive" design. These controversies, coupled with multiple delays, have led to growing impatience among fans.