Ubisoft has announced that Assassin Creed Shadows has surpassed 2 million players since its launch on March 20, 2025. This milestone follows its impressive 1 million players on day one, making it one of the strongest launches in the franchise’s history.
According to Ubisoft, Shadows has outperformed the launch numbers of Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, two of the most popular entries in the series. However, the company has yet to disclose official sales figures.
Topping Steam Charts and Breaking Player Records
Despite no confirmed sales data, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has dominated the Steam best-sellers list, benefiting from Ubisoft’s return to the platform after years of exclusivity on the Epic Games Store.
At the time of writing, the game has reached 58,894 concurrent players on Steam, placing it among the top 30 most-played games on the platform. This number is expected to rise over the weekend, with the potential to surpass the all-time peaks of previous Assassin’s Creed titles:
- Assassin’s Creed Origins – 41,551 peak concurrent players (2017)
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – 62,069 peak concurrent players (2018)
If the trend continues, Shadows could become the most-played Assassin’s Creed game on Steam to date.
Ubisoft High Stakes and Business Challenges
Ubisoft is under pressure for Assassin’s Creed Shadows to succeed, especially after multiple delays and the poor performance of Star Wars Outlaws in 2024. The company has faced financial struggles, studio closures, layoffs, and game cancellations, making this launch crucial for its future.
There are also reports that Ubisoft’s founding Guillemot family is in discussions with Tencent and other investors about a potential buyout deal, aiming to retain control of the company.
Japan Controversy and Day-One Patch
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has also faced controversy in Japan. A day-one patch was quietly released, addressing concerns raised by Japanese politicians over in-game depictions of temples and shrines.
In an unprecedented move, Hiroyuki Kada, a member of Japan’s House of Councillors, brought up the issue in an official government meeting. Even Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded, highlighting the impact of the game’s cultural representation.
Critical Reception and Player Feedback
Despite the controversies, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has received positive reviews from both critics and players:
- Steam Rating: Very Positive (81% approval from over 6,000 reviews)
- IGN Review: 8/10 – “By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade.”
Final Thoughts – Is Shadows the Future of Assassin’s Creed?
With strong initial numbers, Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems to be on track for success. However, whether it maintains momentum and meets Ubisoft’s financial expectations remains to be seen.
For players looking to dive deeper, check out our comprehensive Assassin’s Creed Shadows guide, including:
- Full Walkthrough
- Interactive Map
- Hidden Secrets and Tips Ubisoft Didn’t Tell You
