Why Gamers Can’t Wait: Streaming Assassin’s Creed Shadows Before Its Official Release – IGN

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has made waves by leaking online, with players streaming it a full month ahead of its official launch.

According to the GamingLeaksandRumours subreddit, some now-gone social media posts showcased images and gameplay from someone who claimed to have purchased the game from an online store. Additionally, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was spotted in canceled listings on a U.S. auction site, where multiple copies were reportedly sold for $100 each, per TheGamer.

Now, Twitch is buzzing with streams of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, although these are swiftly being taken down, as noted by VGC. The game is set to officially launch on March 20, 2025. Ubisoft has been approached for a comment.

This leak poses a challenge for Ubisoft, as the studio has faced difficulties with Assassin’s Creed Shadows since its announcement. Earlier this month, Ubisoft reassured fans that preorder numbers are strong, despite the game’s troubled journey.

In its latest financial report, Ubisoft stated that “preorders for the game are tracking solidly, comparable to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey,” which is one of the franchise’s most successful titles.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed optimism, saying, “Early previews have been positive, highlighting the story and immersive experience, especially with the dual protagonist setup.” He praised the Assassin’s Creed team for their hard work and commitment to making this game memorable.

Originally, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was slated for a November release, but it was delayed to February 14 before finally landing on March 20.

This game carries significant expectations, marking it as the long-awaited Japan-focused installment and the first complete game in the series since 2020. A successful launch is crucial for Ubisoft, especially after recent disappointments and investor concerns.

However, the promotional period hasn’t been smooth sailing. The development team had to apologize multiple times for misrepresenting aspects of Japan and using a historical group’s flag without permission.

Another issue arose when collectible figure maker PureArts pulled an Assassin’s Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its “insensitive” design.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Connect with him on Twitter @wyp100 or reach out via email at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.