Assassin’s Creed Shadows' andGhost of Yoteiboth releasing in 2025 may be bad news for the latestAssassin’s Creedgame. Ubisoft is one of the biggest video game publishers out there, and it has managed to earn that reputation thanks to the absurdly successfulAssassin’s Creedgames. For years, fans could rely on a newACgame every year and then Ubisoft started taking a couple of years between games to focus on quality. Now, the series is expected to return after a four-year gap between major entries (2023’sMiragewas a smaller scale title).
For over a decade, fans have been asking Ubisoft totakeAssassin’s Creedto Japan. The idea of playing a ninja or samurai was compelling for a series that jumps through history to explore different cultures. In 2022, it was confirmed that Ubisoft would finally give fans what they’ve been asking for, but ironically, it may be a bit too late.
AC Shadows' 2025 Delay Puts It Up Against Ghost of Yotei
AC Shadows' New Release Date Is July 08, 2025
Ubisoft was planning to releaseAssassin’s Creed Shadowsin November 2024 and had planned to have a presence at Tokyo Game Show, but abruptly pulled out just days before the event. It was announced thatAssassin’s Creed Shadowswould get a last-minute delayto February 14, 2025to allow more time to polish the game and make it the best game it can be. Ubisoft noted in a financial report that part of the reason for the delay was due to the response toStar Wars Outlaws, a game that got mixed reviews due to bugs and underwhelming gameplay.
While that is a totally reasonable and respectable thing for Ubisoft to do, the publisher had the misfortune of making this announcement less than 24 hours afterGhost of Yoteiwas announced. Of course, this delay was almost certainly planned before this news was made public and would’ve been impossible for Ubisoft to factor in. Theannouncement ofGhost of Yoteisurprised State of Play viewersand really shocked fans when it was confirmed to be released in 2025. Naturally, it’s fair to assume this surprised Ubisoft too, but likely not in a fun way.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Controversy Explained
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been the subject of plenty of backlash and controversy since the reveal of its first story trailer in May 2024.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot told investors following the delay that he isn’t necessarily worried aboutGhost of Yoteias he believes there’s enough space for both games to do well. Instead, he notes that Ubisoft’s focus is on ensuring thatAssassin’s Creed Shadowshits the mark as a solid experience for fans.
Ghost of Yotei Puts Lots of Pressure On Assassin’s Creed
Ghost of Yotei Could Put AC Shadows To Shame
Unfortunately for Ubisoft,Ghost of Yoteiis Sucker Punch’s second attempt at making a samurai game and the studio’s first attempt was beloved.Ghost of Tsushimaand its DLCwere massive hits and was praised up and down for its satisfying, violent combat that embraces both direct action and stealth combat. On top of that, it had an expansive open world with plenty of checklist-type side activities that kept players engaged long after they finished the story.
In short, Sucker Punch made a superb Ubisoft-style game withGhost of Tsushima, possibly inadvertently showing Ubisoft it could do anAssassin’s Creedgame better than the creators. This meansAssassin’s Creed Shadowscan’t phone it in when it comes to creating an action game set in feudal Japan. The bar has been set and Ubisoft has to at least match it.
Unfortunately,Ghost of Yoteiwill have the opportunity to learn fromGhost of Tsushima,improve upon it, and probably even take some smaller lessons fromAssassin’s Creed Shadows. This matters because Ubisoft can’t afford to be outdone in a significant way right now. The studio is experiencing a tumultuous time as investors are looking to take over the company and make sweeping changes.
Ubisoft is hoping to fend off its board of directors and win big withAssassin’s Creed Shadowsand while it will likely sell well, if it can’t stand toe to toe withGhost of Yotei, the board may be displeased. They need to see value andthat value will be lost if another studio is doing what Ubisoft does, but better. It would be bad optics ifGhost of Yoteigot recognized with awards later in the year, butAssassin’s Creed Shadowswas totally absent.
AC Shadows Has Some Advantages Over Ghost of Yotei
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Can Still Find Success
Assassin’s Creed Shadowshas some advantages starting with the fact that it releases at the start of 2025.Ghost of Yoteihas no release date, but it will likely release in the second half of the year. If it copiesGhost of Tsushima’s release window, that will put it in the summer and allow PlayStation to pushDeath Stranding 2: On the Beachas its big fall release next year.
By releasing first and likely almost half a year beforeGhost of Yotei, it ensuresAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas time to sell plenty of copies so long as the game isn’t burdened with a disappointing launch. On top of that, Ubisoft will be releasingAssassin’s Creed Shadowson Xbox and PC, two platformsGhost of Yoteiwill not be on in 2025. Xbox seems to have landed some kind of marketing deal withShadowsas well, which will also giveXbox a way to compete directly with PlayStationin some way.
Sucker Punch made a superb Ubisoft-style game withGhost of Tsushima, possibly inadvertently showing Ubisoft it could do anAssassin’s Creedgame better than the creators.
Those craving a game likeGhost of Yoteion these platforms will likely turn toShadowsto get their samurai fix. Hopefully, there’s not a huge disparity and fans won’t feel like they’re getting the Great Value version ofGhost of Yotei. Ubisoft has also confirmed thatShadowswill get some expansions. While gamers will likely have moved on fromAssassin’s Creedby the timeGhost of Yoteireleases, a strategic play can be made here.
Ubisoft could release the firstAssassin’s Creed Shadowsshortly after or even just beforeGhost of Yoteito try and retain some relevancy. It would keep the game in players' minds and, if Ubisoft’s efforts are strong enough, could make for a compelling case forwhy it is the stronger game. As of right now, it’s too soon to say how exactly this will all shake out, but this is a big and important moment for Ubisoft.Assassin’s Creed Shadowscan’t be overshadowed byGhost of Yotei, or it could be devastating for the publisher.
Source:PlayStation/YouTube
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Set during Japan’s Sengoku period, two distinct protagonists—Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai—must navigate political intrigue and violent clashes between the Assassins and Templars. Players can switch between stealthy, shadow-based gameplay with Naoe and Yasuke’s direct combat approach, exploring the duality of their missions in a beautifully rendered open world.
