Assassin's Creed Shadows Gameplay Leaks Before Launch

Assassin's Creed Shadows has been leaked online, with footage of the game being streamed nearly a month ahead of its official launch.

According to posts spotted on the GamingLeaksandRumours subreddit, now-removed social media updates shared images and gameplay from an individual claiming to have purchased the game through an online marketplace. Listings for the title also briefly appeared on a U.S. auction site, with one seller reportedly offering multiple copies at $100 each, as reported by TheGamer.

Multiple Twitch streams featuring Assassin's Creed Shadows have since emerged, though many are being taken down, VGC notes. The official launch for Assassin's Creed Shadows remains scheduled for March 20, 2025. IGN has reached out to Ubisoft for comment.

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This leak is yet another challenge for Ubisoft, which has faced a string of issues with Assassin's Creed Shadows since the game was first announced. Earlier this month, the company maintained that preorder numbers for the title were strong, despite the rocky development and promotional cycle.

In its latest financial report, the publisher described preorders as "tracking solidly, consistent with those of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the second most successful installment in the franchise."

CEO Yves Guillemot echoed this optimism, saying, "Early previews have been encouraging, with particular praise directed at the narrative depth, immersive world-building, and the distinct yet complementary roles of the game's dual protagonists."

He added, "I want to recognize the extraordinary passion and dedication of the entire Assassin's Creed team, who are committed to delivering the most ambitious chapter in the series to date."

Originally slated for a November release, Assassin's Creed Shadows was first delayed to February 14 before being pushed once more to its current March 20 launch window.

The stakes are exceptionally high for this entry—not only is it the long-awaited Japanese setting fans have requested and the first major standalone Assassin's Creed since 2020, but it's also critical to Ubisoft's recovery following recent commercial disappointments and investor unrest.

Thus far, the game's promotional campaign has been far from smooth. The development team has issued multiple apologies, first for historical inaccuracies in its portrayal of Japan, and later for using a historical reenactment group's flag without approval.

Adding to the controversy, collectible manufacturer PureArts withdrew an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale due to what some termed an "insensitive" design.