3 min read
Ubisoft’s latest installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has stormed past two million players within just a few days of release, making it one of the fastest-growing titles in the series. This milestone not only surpasses the launch figures of Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, but it also marks a much-needed victory for Ubisoft, which has been struggling with recent underperforming titles like Skull and Bones and Star Wars Outlaws.
The game saw over one million players within its first 24 hours, breaking the record previously held by Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, which was Ubisoft’s biggest PC launch at the time. Shadows’ strong start can be attributed, in part, to Ubisoft’s decision to release the game on Steam from day one. This move contrasts with Valhalla, which arrived on Steam two years after its initial launch, limiting its early player base.
On Steam, Shadows has already set new franchise records. It recently hit an all-time peak concurrent player count of over 64,800, surpassing Odyssey’s previous record of 62,069. While Valhalla remains Ubisoft’s best-selling Assassin’s Creed game overall, its absence from Steam at launch makes direct comparisons tricky. Still, Shadows is on track to become one of the biggest Ubisoft games in recent years.
A Crucial Win for Ubisoft
Ubisoft’s recent financial struggles have placed immense pressure on Shadows to perform well. After a series of missteps with other titles, this success could be pivotal in stabilizing the company’s position. Reports suggest that Ubisoft’s key shareholders, the Guillemot brothers, are exploring new investment strategies, potentially creating an entity to manage the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Meanwhile, discussions with Tencent regarding a potential investment in a new IP unit could shape the future of Ubisoft’s flagship series.
Overcoming Controversy
Despite its commercial success, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was not free from controversy. The inclusion of Yasuke, a historical Black samurai, led to debates over historical accuracy. However, both Ubisoft and the Assassin’s Creed community largely dismissed the backlash, focusing instead on the game’s merits. The positive reception on platforms like Steam, where it holds an 81.7% “Mostly Positive” rating, indicates that the controversy did little to deter players.
With such a strong launch, Ubisoft is expected to extend post-launch support for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The first DLC, Claws of Awaji, has already been announced, promising over 10 hours of additional content. If the game continues to attract players at this rate, it could go on to become one of the most successful titles in the franchise’s history.
In an industry where open-world games are becoming increasingly competitive, Assassin’s Creed Shadows proves that Ubisoft still has the ability to deliver a hit. The coming months will determine whether it can maintain this momentum, but for now, Shadows has undoubtedly left its mark.
