Assassin's Creed Shadows, slated for a March 20, 2025 release, has suffered a significant leak. Gameplay footage and images surfaced online via social media and auction sites, well ahead of schedule. While posts and streams showcasing the game have been swiftly removed, the damage is done, according to reports from VGC and TheGamer. Ubisoft has yet to officially comment on the breach.

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This leak comes at a critical juncture for Ubisoft. The game, the first mainline Assassin's Creed title since 2020 and the long-awaited Japan-set installment, is crucial for the publisher's financial performance following a string of underperforming releases and investor concerns. Despite these challenges, Ubisoft previously reported strong preorder numbers, comparable to Assassin's Creed Odyssey. CEO Yves Guillemot emphasized positive early feedback, highlighting the narrative, immersive experience, and the dual protagonist approach.

However, the game's promotional cycle has been far from smooth. The development team issued apologies for historical inaccuracies in its depiction of Japan and unauthorized use of a historical recreation group's flag. Further controversy arose when PureArts pulled an "insensitive" collectible statue from sale. The leak adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging launch. The success of Assassin's Creed Shadows is now even more heavily scrutinized given its troubled development and the pre-release exposure.