Home News > Ubisoft Urges Comparing Assassin's Creed Shadows to Origins, Odyssey, Mirage, Not Valhalla's 'Perfect Storm'

Ubisoft Urges Comparing Assassin's Creed Shadows to Origins, Odyssey, Mirage, Not Valhalla's 'Perfect Storm'

by Madison Apr 14,2025

The launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows is under intense scrutiny, following a series of setbacks for Ubisoft, including delays and the commercial disappointment of last year's Star Wars Outlaws. The company has faced significant challenges, including high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations leading up to the release of Shadows. The pressure is immense, as Ubisoft's founding Guillemot family is reportedly in discussions with Chinese mega-corp Tencent and other investors about a potential buyout to maintain control over the company's intellectual property.

As the gaming community watches closely, Ubisoft has reported that Assassin's Creed Shadows reached 2 million players just two days post-launch, outpacing the initial performances of both Origins and Odyssey. While specific sales figures remain undisclosed, the game's performance on Steam is a key metric, with Shadows achieving the highest peak concurrent player count in the franchise's history at 64,825 players. This is notable as it was the first Assassin's Creed title to launch directly on Steam. Comparisons are also drawn with other recent single-player titles like BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which peaked at 89,418 players on the same platform.

Although Ubisoft has not revealed its expectations for Shadows, insights from an internal email reviewed by IGN suggest the game achieved the second-highest day-one sales revenue in the series, only surpassed by 2020's Valhalla. Shadows also set a record for Ubisoft's best day-one launch on the PlayStation Store, indicating strong performance on PS5.

On the PC front, 27% of Shadows' total "activations" were on this platform, with Steam playing a significant role according to Ubisoft's internal communications. The company emphasizes high player engagement and positive feedback on moderated platforms, noting that Shadows was the most-wishlisted Ubisoft game ever and is outperforming all previous Assassin's Creed titles on Twitch.

Ubisoft advises against comparing Shadows directly with Valhalla, citing the unique circumstances surrounding Valhalla's launch during the global pandemic and the introduction of new console hardware. Instead, they suggest comparing Shadows to other entries like Origins, Odyssey, and Mirage, where Shadows is setting new benchmarks.

Additionally, Shadows' release in March, outside the usual pre-Thanksgiving window, and the absence of an early access period, along with the availability of Ubisoft's subscription service on Xbox, complicate sales comparisons. Ultimately, the financial success of Assassin's Creed Shadows will be crucial for Ubisoft's future, with more clarity expected in their upcoming financial report.

For those exploring the world of feudal Japan in Assassin's Creed Shadows, our comprehensive guide, including a detailed walkthrough and interactive map, is available to enhance your gaming experience.