Ubisoft’s latest installment in its long-running franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has already passed a major milestone — more than 2 million players have entered the stealthy, samurai-filled world of feudal Japan. The achievement cements the game as a commercial success despite a launch clouded by delays, controversies, and industry turbulence.
A New High Point for the Franchise
According to Ubisoft’s official announcement on social media, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has outpaced the early performance of two major entries in the series — Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The post featured celebratory artwork and praised fans for helping the game reach this new high watermark in player engagement.
Record-Breaking Steam Performance
While Ubisoft hasn’t revealed a breakdown of player counts across platforms, it did confirm that Shadows has broken the franchise’s concurrent player record on Steam. At peak, the title drew in more than 60,000 concurrent players, eclipsing records previously held by earlier entries in the series. This is a significant feat, particularly considering the game’s bumpy path to release.
Controversy, Criticism, and Delays
Despite its popularity, Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched amid heated discussions online. Critics and fans raised concerns about historical accuracy, character representation, and cultural sensitivity. The situation escalated to such an extent that it drew the attention of high-ranking officials — including the Japanese Prime Minister — making the game a flashpoint for wider discourse.
Additionally, Ubisoft delayed the game twice to address quality concerns. A day-one patch notably removed the controversial feature that allowed players to destroy shrines in-game, a mechanic many considered disrespectful.
Ubisoft at a Crossroads
Assassin’s Creed Shadows arrives at a crucial time for Ubisoft. The company has struggled in recent years to meet commercial expectations. Big-name projects like Star Wars Outlaws underperformed, while the competitive shooter XDefiant was quietly shelved. Amid these setbacks, rumors suggest Ubisoft executives are considering selling off some intellectual properties to third parties as part of a broader corporate pivot.
A Glimmer of Hope
In this context, the early success of Shadows offers a much-needed win. The title continues the RPG-heavy direction that began with Origins, offering sprawling exploration, dual protagonists, and deep combat systems. With its engaging depiction of feudal Japan and refined gameplay loop, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has clearly struck a chord — both with longtime fans and newcomers.
- 2+ million players at launch weekend
- Outperformed Origins and Odyssey in early engagement
- Record-breaking Steam concurrent player numbers
- Faced controversies over cultural and historical accuracy
- Day-one patch addressed player concerns
What’s Next for Assassin’s Creed?
Though Shadows has only just launched, Ubisoft will be watching player feedback closely as it prepares for post-launch content. Given the game’s solid start, the future could include expansions, live-service updates, or even a return to other historical settings using this evolved gameplay model.
For now, Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents both a bold step forward for the series and a rare bright spot for Ubisoft in a time of uncertainty. If early momentum continues, it might just mark the beginning of a new golden age for the franchise.
