Ubisoft launched Assassin’s Creed Shadows on March 20, 2025, aiming to revitalize its financial standing. The game, set in 16th-century Japan, features dual protagonists: Yasuke, an African samurai, and Naoe, a female ninja. Players responded with enthusiasm, pushing the game to over three million players within a week.
Despite this initial success, Ubisoft reported a 20.5% drop in full-year net bookings, totaling €1.85 billion. The company blamed the decline on delayed releases and the underperformance of several major titles. CEO Yves Guillemot highlighted the need for additional development time to secure long-term growth.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Can’t Mask Deepening Financial Woes of Ubisoft
Internal issues complicated the outlook. In October 2024, more than 700 Ubisoft employees in France struck for three days, protesting a mandatory return-to-office policy and limited remote work flexibility.
Facing mounting pressure, Ubisoft launched a new subsidiary to manage core franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. Tencent invested €1.16 billion for a 25% stake, valuing the unit at around €4 billion. This move aimed to secure capital and offer strategic autonomy to Ubisoft’s most valuable IPs.
Assassin's Creed Shadows takes players to feudal Japan and garners praise from users on its release day. Find out more!
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows achieved major milestones — including the second-highest Day 1 sales in franchise history — it could not offset broader financial struggles. Ubisoft’s future now depends on its ability to navigate market pressures, resolve internal unrest, and deliver consistent, high-quality content.
