On Thursday, Ubisoft is set to launch Assassin's Creed Shadows, a highly anticipated entry in its best-selling franchise. This release comes after a series of high-profile disappointments, including Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Star Wars Outlaws, which have raised questions about the company's strategy of licensing new intellectual properties to create games. The stakes are high for this new title, and its performance could significantly impact Ubisoft's financial outlook.
According to Joost Van Dreunen, a lecturer at NYU's Stern School of Business, the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows represents a critical moment for Ubisoft. He noted that if the game performs exceptionally well, it could play a vital role in restoring the company's financial health. After facing two delays and several leaks, this latest installment is set in feudal Japan—a setting that has long been favored by gamers.
Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces players to two captivating protagonists: Naoe, a stealthy female assassin, and Yasuke, an armored African samurai inspired by the historical figure of the same name. Ubisoft has focused on refining the series' core mechanics, such as parkour and stealth, to complement the new dual-character gameplay system. Jordan Van Andel, a gamer and popular YouTuber with over 1 million subscribers on his channel JorRaptor, commented that the game feels more polished than recent entries. However, he expressed concerns about the storyline, indicating it may not resonate with players as much as hoped.
For Ubisoft to replicate the financial success of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which was released in 2020 and became the first game in the franchise to surpass $1 billion in revenue, it will need to attract a broader player base beyond its core fans. Van Andel emphasized the importance of expanding the audience to achieve similar financial milestones.
The game has not been without controversy. Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter pointed out that the current U.S. political climate may present challenges for Assassin's Creed Shadows. He noted that former President Trump has normalized anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) sentiments, potentially making some players more vocal in their criticism of the game's creative choices, such as the inclusion of a black samurai and a female assassin.
Interestingly, Van Dreunen suggested that the controversy could ultimately benefit Ubisoft by generating free press. "This only makes the game more interesting to a lot of players," he stated. With North America accounting for over 53% of Ubisoft's total video game bookings in its fiscal year 2024, the company hopes that its established franchises, like Far Cry, will continue to appeal to a wide audience.
As the launch date approaches, all eyes will be on Assassin's Creed Shadows to see if it can revitalize Ubisoft's fortunes and resonate with both loyal fans and new players alike.
