2025 is shaping up to be a tricky year for Ubisoft. The company has announced a new delay of just over a month for the already turbulent release of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. Originally slated for November 2024, the ambitious new installment in the series has now become a litmus test for the French company amid mounting rumors of a sale.
New release date. For now, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows has shifted from its planned February 14 release to March 20. Ubisoft says the delay “will allow the team to better incorporate the player feedback gathered over the past three months and help create the best conditions for launch by continuing to engage closely with the increasingly positive Assassin's Creed community.” However, this is just the latest in a string of unflattering developments for Ubisoft, including an 85% drop in share value.
Star Wars is to blame. Ubisoft’s crisis stems from numerous factors, including waste, delays, cancellations, and underperforming games. Among these, the sluggish sales of Star Wars: Outlaws symbolize deeper issues. Despite the franchise’s massive following and the game’s high budget, the final product failed to meet expectations. Adding to the turmoil was the cancellation of XDefiant, a shooter that barely lasted a year.
Rumors of a purchase. Rumors suggest Tencent has been in talks to buy Ubisoft. This isn’t the first time the company has faced such speculation. In 2022, Ubisoft entertained offers from investors like Blackstone amid a flurry of high-value industry sales. Tencent eventually entered the company, but reports indicate talks stalled due to resistance from the Guillemot brothers, who wish to retain control. Depending on the performance of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, those talks may resume with new significance.
Frustrated projects. Insider Gaming reports that part of Ubisoft’s crisis lies in mismanagement, resulting in delays and costly cancellations. For instance, Ubisoft shelved Project U, a session-based co-op shooter, after five years and $100 million in development. Even more troubling was the premature release of XDefiant, which, after a prolonged and expensive development, failed to deliver and drained company resources.
The weight of franchises. Between 2025 and 2026, Ubisoft plans to release at least five Assassin’s Creed games, remakes of franchises like Prince of Persia and Rayman, a new Far Cry, and a spin-off extraction shooter. Despite these projects, all eyes are on Shadows. Its success or failure could shape the company’s immediate future.
Image | Ubisoft
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