Ubisoft’s latest entry in the long-running Assassin’s Creed franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is off to a strong start, hitting 2 million players within days of its release. The game, which launched on March 20, has already surpassed the early milestones of Assassin’s Creed Origins and Odyssey, making it one of the franchise’s most promising debuts in recent years.
In a social media post celebrating the milestone, Ubisoft thanked fans for joining them on their journey into Feudal Japan. The milestone marks a significant achievement for the company, which has been under immense pressure following recent financial struggles, layoffs, and underwhelming sales performances from other titles.
A Record-Breaking Steam Launch
On Steam, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has quickly become one of the platform’s top-performing games. As of this weekend, it has reached nearly 59,000 concurrent players, placing it within the top 30 most-played games on Valve’s storefront. While this number is expected to climb, it has already surpassed the all-time peak of Origins (41,551 players) and is closing in on Odyssey (62,069 players). If trends continue, Shadows could set a new franchise record on Steam.
The PC launch has been especially noteworthy given Ubisoft’s recent return to Steam. For years, the publisher had prioritized exclusive launches on the Epic Games Store, but the success of Shadows suggests that returning to Steam was a smart move.
Console Performance & Sales Questions
While Steam numbers provide a glimpse into the game’s early success, the overall concurrent player count is likely much higher when factoring in PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players. However, neither Sony nor Microsoft publicly disclose player numbers, leaving some uncertainty about the full scale of Shadows’ success.
Despite the strong engagement numbers, Ubisoft has yet to confirm actual sales figures for the game. Given the company’s turbulent financial year, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a lot riding on its shoulders. The game follows the disappointing performance of Star Wars Outlaws, which struggled to meet expectations. Ubisoft has also faced layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations, making Shadows a critical release for the company’s future.
Controversies & Political Scrutiny
The game’s launch has not been without controversy. In Japan, concerns were raised by politicians over the depiction of temples and shrines in the game. The issue even reached the country’s highest levels of government, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressing the matter in a recent session. In response, Ubisoft quietly released a day-one patch that altered certain in-game elements to address these concerns.
Player Reception & Critical Response
Despite the controversy, player reception has been overwhelmingly positive. On Steam, Assassin’s Creed Shadows currently holds a “Very Positive” rating, with 81% of over 6,000 reviews being favorable. Critics have also responded well, with IGN awarding the game an 8/10, praising its refined open-world mechanics and engaging dual-character gameplay.
With a strong start, Assassin’s Creed Shadows appears to be a much-needed win for Ubisoft. If sales continue to rise, it could mark a turning point for the company as it looks to regain its footing in the industry.
