Ubisoft has reported strong preorder numbers for its upcoming open-world adventure, Assassin's Creed Shadows, despite facing a challenging development and promotional period. According to their latest financial report, the game's preorders are performing well, matching the figures of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which was the second most successful entry in the franchise.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence in the game, stating that the company is "fully focused on the upcoming launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows" scheduled for March 20. He highlighted positive early previews that have praised the game's narrative and immersive experience. The dual protagonist approach has been particularly well-received, with both characters playing pivotal roles in the storyline and offering complementary gameplay.

Guillemot also praised 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 set for a November release, Assassin's Creed Shadows was first delayed to February 14, and then further postponed to the current release date of March 20. This game is highly anticipated not only as the long-awaited Japan-set entry and the first full Assassin's Creed title since 2020 but also as a critical release for Ubisoft, which is looking to recover from recent flops and investor dissatisfaction.

Despite these high stakes, the game's promotional period has been fraught with issues. The development team had to apologize 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 pull an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its "insensitive" design. Coupled with the delays, these controversies have led to growing impatience among fans.