Key Takeaways
1. Game Leak Details: Physical copies of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows have been spotted, with players sharing images and gameplay videos weeks before the official release on March 20.
2. Social Media Evidence: The leak began on social media, where a user posted a copy of the game alongside gameplay clips, showcasing features like character selection and Animus Anomalies.
3. Older Version: Discussions on Reddit suggest that the leaked version of the game is an older build, missing some final enhancements that Ubisoft intended for the official launch.
4. History of Leaks: This incident adds to a trend of major game leaks, similar to past leaks involving titles like The Last of Us Part II and God of War Ragnarok, often due to mishandled retail shipments.
5. Concerns for Ubisoft: The leak poses a risk of unfiltered gameplay and spoilers affecting public perception of the game, prompting Ubisoft to potentially take measures to prevent further leaks before the launch.
Ubisoft’s new game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has been leaked ahead of its planned release on March 20. Physical copies of the game have appeared in various locations, and some players have shared images and gameplay videos online, indicating that they’ve gotten their hands on the game weeks before it officially comes out.
Initial Leak Details
The first signs of the leak were seen on social media platform X/Twitter, where a user posted a physical copy of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for PlayStation 5, along with a screenshot showing a download in progress. Although some were doubtful at first, skepticism turned to belief when the user released actual gameplay clips that showed the game in action on their console. This included a character selection screen with “Naoe,” one of the main characters, and a preview of Animus Anomalies— a gameplay element from earlier Assassin’s Creed games that involves disrupting the historical simulation in the game world, first introduced in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Discussions on Reddit
A Reddit discussion thread also highlighted that this leak seems to be based on an older version of the game, likely lacking some of the final enhancements and refinements Ubisoft intended for the official launch. While leaks like this are common with major game releases, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now part of a growing list of significant titles that have been revealed before their official debut. For example, in 2020, The Last of Us Part II faced a major leak that disclosed key story details months in advance. Similarly, in 2022, God of War Ragnarok had its physical copies sold nearly two weeks prior to the release, resulting in many players and developers frustrated over story spoilers.
Implications for Ubisoft
These types of leaks usually happen due to poorly managed retail shipments, where stores mistakenly sell copies before the designated release date. Sometimes, it’s warehouse employees or distributors who are to blame for these incidents. Ubisoft has encountered similar situations in the past, with Assassin’s Creed Mirage leaking before its launch, and even Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was available to play early due to loopholes in digital preloads.
The premature release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows should be a concern for Ubisoft, as unfiltered gameplay and spoilers could spread widely before the official embargo ends. Although the leaked version reportedly lacks some last-minute polish, it might still influence initial thoughts about the game— and fans of the series might become more critical. With just under a month remaining until launch, the French game publisher may take measures to prevent additional leaks. However, it’s likely that some damage has already occurred.
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