After multiple delays and growing anticipation, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now set to launch on March 20, 2025. This highly anticipated title will transport players to feudal Japan, featuring dual protagonists and a refined gaming experience. The game has undergone significant polishing during its extended development period, with Ubisoft committed to delivering a high-quality product that meets fan expectations.
Release Date and Platform Information
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will officially launch on Thursday, March 20, 2025, following two delays from its original schedule. The title was initially slated for release on November 15, 2024, then postponed to February 14, 2025, before finally settling on the current March date. Ubisoft attributed these delays to the need for additional development time to “implement feedback” and “ensure an even more ambitious and engaging day-one experience”.
Release Timing by Platform
The specific release time varies depending on your platform and region:
- Console players (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X) will gain access at midnight local time on March 20, 2025.
- PC users on Ubisoft Connect will see different release times by region:
- North America’s West Coast: 9 p.m. PDT on March 19
- North America’s East Coast: 12 a.m. EDT on March 20
- United Kingdom: 10 p.m. GMT on March 19
- Western Europe: 11 p.m. CET on March 19
- Japan: 9 p.m. JST on March 19
- Australia’s East Coast: 11 p.m. AEDT on March 19
For players accessing the game through Steam, Epic Games Store, GeForce Now, and Luna, the global launch will occur at coordinated times across regions. Mac users will experience yet another set of release times specific to their platform.
Platform Availability
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on multiple platforms:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (via Ubisoft Connect, Steam, Epic Games Store)
- GeForce Now and Luna
- Mac (via Apple Silicon and Mac App Store)
Notably, this marks the first Assassin’s Creed title in over a decade to exclude previous-generation consoles like PS4 and Xbox One, as Ubisoft aims to deliver visual quality unattainable on older systems.
Preloading Information
For those who have pre-ordered the game, preloading is already available across platforms:
- Xbox Series X: Available since March 4, 2025
- PlayStation 5: Available since March 18, 2025
- Windows PC: Available since March 17, 2025
To preload Assassin’s Creed Shadows, ensure you have preordered the game, then navigate to the store page to access the preload option.
Recent News and Features
Twitch Drops Campaign
Beginning March 18, 2025, Ubisoft is offering free in-game items through Twitch drops. Players can earn various rewards by watching content creators stream Assassin’s Creed Shadows:
- Watching for one hour: Naoe’s Spirit Headband
- Watching for two hours: Naoe’s Spirit Kosode Gear
- Watching for three hours: Naoe’s Oath Tanto
To claim these rewards, players must link their Ubisoft account to their Twitch account before watching the streams2. Some fans have noted concerns about potential spoilers when watching streams, though there are ways to earn the rewards while avoiding gameplay footage.
Game Setting and Protagonists
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the 14th major installment in the franchise, is set in feudal Japan. Players will control two distinct characters:
- Naoe: An agile ninja with stealth-focused abilities
- Yasuke: A powerful samurai with different combat capabilities
Each character has access to unique weapons that dramatically impact their fighting style. Players can equip up to two different weapon types to switch between during gameplay, with each offering distinct strengths and strategies.
Weapon System and Progression
The game features a comprehensive weapon system with multiple upgrade paths:
- Each weapon type has a dedicated mastery tab where players can invest points to increase damage and unlock new abilities
- Weapons come in five rarity tiers: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary
- Higher-rarity weapons include engraving slots for perks that provide unique bonuses
- Weapons can be upgraded at the Hideout’s Forge to match the player’s current level6
Pre-order Bonuses
Players who pre-order Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Microsoft Store for Xbox will receive:
- The Claws of Awaji expansion (coming later in 2025)
- Thrown to the Dogs bonus quest
The Digital Deluxe Edition includes additional content:
- Sekiryu Dual Pack with gear and weapon sets for both Naoe and Yasuke
- Sekiryu Beast and Dragon Tooth trinket
- Sekiryu Hideout Pack featuring four unique ornaments and five mastery points
Marketing and Promotion
Ubisoft released a cinematic TV advertisement for Assassin’s Creed Shadows on March 12, 2025, though it does not contain actual gameplay footage. The trailer emphasizes the thematic elements of the game with the tagline “A new Creed rises over Japan as justice is forged in the Shadows”.
In the weeks leading up to release, Ubisoft has been sharing more details about the game’s core features, including stealth mechanics, combat systems, parkour, and exploration. These materials include gameplay snippets, developer commentary, and reveals of fan-favorite features.
With its release just days away, Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents Ubisoft’s ambitious attempt to bring the franchise to feudal Japan, a setting long requested by fans. Despite multiple delays, the developer appears committed to delivering a polished, high-quality experience that leverages the power of current-generation consoles and PC hardware.
The dual-protagonist system featuring Naoe and Yasuke offers players distinct gameplay styles, while the comprehensive weapon and upgrade systems promise significant depth. As March 20 approaches, fans can prepare by preloading the game and participating in community activities to earn exclusive in-game items through Twitch drops.
