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The rumor mill is working overtime, and fans of the Assassin’s Creed series are asking one question above all: Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows cancelled? Ubisoft’s next big release, set in 16th-century Japan, has faced numerous setbacks recently, including delays, speculation, and petitions. So, before we address all those rants, let’s separate the facts from fiction.
Cancellation Rumors Surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows
One of the main catalysts for the cancellation rumors came when Ubisoft cancelled press previews for Assassin’s Creed Shadows in September 2024. According to multiple reports, these previews were scheduled to take place before the Tokyo Game Show. However, citing “various circumstances”, Ubisoft pulled out not only from the game show but also cancelled the press previews, raising concerns about the game’s future.
This sudden move has led fans and insiders to question if the game will see further delays or even an outright cancellation. While Assassin’s Creed Shadows cancelled rumors are growing, no official statement confirms the game’s complete cancellation.
Official Delay to 2025
In September 2024, Ubisoft officially delayed Assassin’s Creed Shadows to February 14, 2025, three months beyond its original November 2024 release date. This move has fueled more speculation about development issues and whether the game will be ready in time for its new release window. Some believe the development process might be experiencing deeper issues that could further jeopardize its launch.
Ubisoft has remained largely vague, stating that the game’s postponement is due to ensuring quality. As of now, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is still going to release in early 2025.
Petition to Cancel Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Interestingly, there is also a petition calling for the cancellation of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The petition has racked up massive support with over 86,000 signatures at the time of writing. Most notably an issue regarding Yasuke, the black samurai, and his role within the game raised concern from some quarters as being an unnecessary “woke” addition to the franchise. The petition maintains the game contains historical inaccuracies and insensitive portrayals of Japan’s rich history.
The plea might have unearthed the growing discontent, but Ubisoft has yet to respond to any of these criticisms directly, though they did stress that creative license is being taken with some of the historical elements of the game.
Japanese Government’s Involvement?
Added to this is the gossip seen online that the Japanese government isn’t interested in Assassin’s Creed Shadows because of historical inaccuracies. The speculation is false since until now, no Japanese ministry has launched an investigation. On questions raised on their comments, Japanese ministries, including the education and foreign affairs department said they are unconcerned about the content of the game. This lays to rest the belief that government intervention is the reason for the delay or total cancellation of the game.
Unseen Challenges at Ubisoft
The turbulence surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows appears to be part of a broader trend of challenges within Ubisoft. The company’s recent releases, such as Star Wars Outlaws and XDefiant, have not performed as expected. Ubisoft’s stock has dropped significantly in the past year, leading some to wonder if internal restructuring is affecting Assassin’s Creed Shadows development.
Ubisoft is pushing hard on the management side, and this new Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of their biggest titles in recent times. Since everyone’s taking an interest in whether it will become a success or not, the company has no room for another mistake.
What’s Next for Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Despite the setbacks, there is no definitive answer to the question, Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows cancelled? While press previews were scrapped and the release date pushed back, Ubisoft remains committed to releasing the game.
So far, we can expect the game to hit the shelves in early 2025, not counting any extra complications.
Continued delays and controversy have not dampened excitement for the game. Fans are very eager to explore 16th-century Japan and to sit through the tale of Yasuke and Nao. We will see that whether the game will live up to expectations. But Ubisoft has been heavily repeating that they are working hard to deliver a polished experience.
Verdict
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is facing some roadblocks, but there is no official confirmation about the cancellation of the game. There’s some delay no doubt and also there has been a call for cancellation. Ubisoft does not seem to be backing off. The game is finally going live on 14 February 2025. So, the fans would need to wait a little longer for this new entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Speculation will continue for now, but the future of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not at an end.
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