Assassin’s Creed Shadows Pre-Orders Surge, Indicating Strong Demand for Series’ Second-Best Launch
By Ubisoft has stated it aims to surpass its initial price-cutting target “by a considerable amount”.
Ubisoft has conveyed its hopes for Assassin’s Creed Shadows in its latest quarterly financial report, highlighting pre-orders for the game as “strong”.
Although the company did not disclose precise pre-order figures, it noted these were “in line with those of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the second best-selling installment of the series”.
The franchise’s best-selling game, the Viking-themed Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, was released in late 2020.
The twice-delayed Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a pivotal title for Ubisoft during a highly tumultuous period for the company as it navigates cost-cutting strategies and a potential sale, following the unsatisfactory sales performance of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws.
Today, Ubisoft’s leader Yves Guillemot delivered an optimistic message, stating that “initial previews have been encouraging” for the game. “I want to commend the remarkable talent and commitment of everyone on the Assassin’s Creed team, who is working diligently to ensure Shadows fulfills the expectations of being the franchise’s most ambitious installment to date.”
“In parallel,” Guillemot continued, “we are making good progress on our cost reduction strategy.”
Ubisoft has already achieved savings on its finances through the “tough but necessary” decision to lay off hundreds of staff and close several studios, including the UK team located in Leamington.
“We intend to advance our initiatives in FY26,” Guillemot warned, “exceeding the initial target by a considerable amount.”
Our Katharine stated that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is “the biggest shake-up of the series in years” during our recent hands-on session.