The release of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” has been postponed to February 14, 2025, from its initial date of November 15. This decision was made by game publisher Ubisoft, as they cited the underperformance of the new title “Star Wars Outlaws” and lower than expected profits in the current quarter as the main reasons for the delay. The company stated that while the game is feature complete, they want to take additional time to polish the title and ensure that it fully delivers on its ambitious promise, especially with the dual protagonist adventure featuring Naoe and Yasuke.
In a break from their usual strategy, Ubisoft announced that “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” will be available on Steam on launch day. They also mentioned that the game will not follow their typical Season Pass model, as all players will be able to enjoy the game at the same time on February 14. Additionally, those who preorder the game will receive the first expansion for free.
Following the disappointing sales of “Star Wars Outlaws” after its release on August 30, Ubisoft’s development teams are working hard to implement updates to improve the player experience and engage a larger audience. The game is set to launch on Steam on November 21.
In light of these developments, Ubisoft also revealed new financial guidance for the fiscal year, including lowering net bookings for the full year to approximately €1.95 billion and down to €350-370 million in net bookings for the second quarter. Ubisoft’s co-founder and CEO, Yves Guillemot, mentioned that an executive committee supervised by the board of directors is launching a review to further improve their execution and accelerate their strategic path towards a higher performing model.
Guillemot emphasized the company’s commitment to a player-centric approach and creating games for a broad audience. He stated that despite recent challenges, Ubisoft remains focused on driving growth and generating robust free cash flow in their business. The company is dedicated to delighting players and improving efficiency while staying true to their goal of creating enjoyable games for fans and players.
In conclusion, Ubisoft is taking steps to address the issues surrounding the delayed release of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” and the underperformance of “Star Wars Outlaws.” The company remains committed to their strategic path and creating engaging gaming experiences for their audience.
