Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has attracted over 3 million players since its launch on May 20. This impressive milestone was reached just seven days after the game's release, marking a significant increase from the 2 million players reported on the second day. Shadows has outpaced the launch performances of both Origins and Odyssey, showcasing its strong appeal among fans.
Ubisoft also shared additional statistics that were initially disclosed in an internal email, as reported by IGN. The company compared Shadows' opening weekend performance to that of Origins and Odyssey, rather than the exceptional launch of Valhalla in 2020. Shadows achieved the second highest day one sales revenue in the Assassin's Creed franchise, only surpassed by Valhalla. It also set a record for Ubisoft's biggest day one sales on the PlayStation Store and has accumulated over 40 million hours of playtime so far.
The success of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is crucial for Ubisoft, especially following a series of challenges including delays, the sales disappointment of Star Wars Outlaws, and other setbacks such as high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations. The pressure is immense, with the gaming industry closely monitoring Shadows' performance as a potential indicator of Ubisoft's future.
Amidst these developments, the Guillemot family, founders of Ubisoft, were reportedly in discussions with Tencent and other investors about a buyout deal to maintain control over the company's intellectual property. This adds another layer of significance to Shadows' performance.
On Steam, Assassin’s Creed Shadows became the most-played game in the series over the weekend, reaching a peak of 64,825 concurrent players. This is notable as it was the first Assassin's Creed title to launch on Steam since Odyssey in 2018. For comparison, BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard achieved a peak of 89,418 players on the same platform.
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While Assassin’s Creed Shadows has shown strong player engagement, it's challenging to determine if it meets, exceeds, or falls short of Ubisoft's expectations without specific revenue or sales figures. Ultimately, the financial performance of Shadows will be a key determinant of Ubisoft's future, with more clarity expected in the company's upcoming financial reports.
For those eager to explore the world of feudal Japan in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, be sure to check out our comprehensive Assassin's Creed Shadows guide, including our Assassin's Creed Shadows walkthrough, our detailed Assassin's Creed Shadows Interactive Map, and our guide to all the crucial things Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t tell you.
