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*Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, one of the most anticipated entries in the iconic franchise, has unfortunately leaked online—appearing on streaming platforms nearly a month before its official launch. As first noted by the GamingLeaksandRumours subreddit, several now-deleted social media posts showcased gameplay footage and images from what appeared to be a copy purchased through an unauthorized online marketplace.

Additionally, listings for *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* briefly surfaced on a U.S.-based auction site, with one seller reportedly offering multiple copies at $100 each, according to reports from *TheGamer*. More recently, Twitch streams featuring the game have emerged, though many are being swiftly taken down, as confirmed by *VGC*. The game is scheduled to officially release on March 20, 2025. At this time, *IGN* has reached out to Ubisoft for official comment.

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This latest leak adds to the growing list of challenges facing Ubisoft and *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. Despite these setbacks, the publisher remains confident in the game’s potential. Earlier this month, Ubisoft stated that preorders were performing well, drawing comparisons to *Assassin’s Creed Odyssey*, which ranks as the second most successful title in the series.

In its recent financial report, Ubisoft expressed optimism about the game's reception. CEO Yves Guillemot echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that early previews had been favorable. Reviewers praised the narrative depth, immersive experience, and the dual protagonist system that plays a central role in the story and gameplay mechanics.

"I want to commend the incredible talent and dedication of the entire Assassin’s Creed team, who are working tirelessly to ensure that *Shadows* delivers on the promise of what is the franchise’s most ambitious entry yet."

Originally slated for a November 2024 release, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* was pushed back twice—first to February 14, and then to its current release date of March 20, 2025. Much is riding on this installment, not only because it marks the franchise’s return to Japan after years of anticipation, but also because it represents a critical opportunity for Ubisoft to regain investor confidence following a string of underperforming titles.

However, the promotional period for *Shadows* has not gone smoothly. The development team has issued public apologies for historical inaccuracies in the portrayal of Japanese culture and for using a design belonging to a historical recreation group without permission. Another controversy arose when collectible figure company PureArts pulled an *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* statue from sale due to concerns over an “insensitive” design choice.