Assassin’s Creed Shadows has made an unexpected early appearance online, with gameplay footage now being streamed and widely shared just one month ahead of its official launch. As first reported by the GamingLeaksandRumours subreddit, previously available social media posts featured images and live gameplay from someone claiming to have purchased the game through an unauthorized online marketplace. Additionally, deleted listings on a U.S. auction site reportedly offered multiple copies of the game for $100 each, according to TheGamer.
Currently, several Twitch streamers have broadcasted gameplay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, though these streams are being taken down swiftly, as noted by VGC. The game is officially scheduled to launch on March 20, 2025, and IGN has reached out to Ubisoft for comment regarding the leak.
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This leak adds another layer of difficulty for Ubisoft, which has already encountered numerous setbacks surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows since its announcement. Despite these challenges, the publisher recently stated that preorders for the title remain strong, drawing comparisons to *Assassin’s Creed Odyssey*, the second most successful installment in the franchise.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed optimism about the game’s reception. “Early previews have been positive, praising its narrative and immersive experience, with both characters playing critical roles in the game’s storyline, as well as the quality and complementarity of the gameplay provided by the dual protagonist approach,” he explained.
He also praised the development team’s efforts, 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 launch date of March 20. Much is riding on this game—not only is it the long-awaited Japan-set installment and the first full *Assassin’s Creed* title since 2020, but a financially struggling Ubisoft needs it to succeed after recent underperforming releases and growing investor frustration.
Unfortunately, the promotional journey for Assassin’s Creed Shadows hasn’t gone smoothly. The development team has had to issue public apologies for historical inaccuracies in its portrayal of Japanese culture and for using a historical recreation group’s flag without permission.
Another controversy emerged when collectible figure company PureArts pulled an *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* statue from sale due to concerns over its "insensitive" design.
