The anticipation is finally coming to an end for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the next installment in Ubisoft’s aging franchise, which will take players to feudal Japan. Several delays extending the release timeline, Ubisoft has now finalized the last launch date, preload information, and global release times. Fans willing to dive into this long-awaited release can now prepare by seeing when and how they can get their hands on the game on their chosen platform. From preloading capabilities to game length and support for platforms, here’s everything you should know before Assassin’s Creed Shadows officially launches.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Release Time
Originally released for a November 2024 release date, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was then delayed until February 2025, two months prior to the anticipated launch date. Ubisoft further delayed it again in early January, pushing it to March 20. Only two weeks now remain before its release, and it looks like this time the game will be released as expected to gamers. Following years of working on it and several setbacks, the fans are now nearer than ever to entering the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Preload Details for Different Platforms:
Xbox Series X/S: Pre-loading is available immediately for players who pre-ordered.
PC (Ubisoft Connect): Pre-load starts on March 17 at 4 PM UTC.
PlayStation 5: Pre-load begins on March 18 at 12 AM local time.
Benefit: Early downloads allow players to start playing as soon as the game officially launches.
Global Release Timings Across Regions
The global release schedule varies based on platform and region. For PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players, the game will unlock at midnight on March 20. PC users, however, will follow a different schedule, which can be checked on Ubisoft’s official release time map. With all these details now available, the countdown to Assassin’s Creed Shadows has truly begun, and fans can start preparing for their long-awaited adventure in feudal Japan.
City | PC (Ubisoft Connect) | PC (Steam) | Consoles (PS5 & Xbox Series X/S) |
| Los Angeles | March 19, 9:00 AM | – | March 20, 12:00 AM |
| Montreal | March 20, 12:00 AM | – | March 20, 12:00 AM |
| New York | March 20, 12:00 AM | – | March 20, 12:00 AM |
| London | March 19, 10:00 PM | March 20, 4:00 AM | March 20, 12:00 AM |
| Paris | March 19, 11:00 PM | March 20, 5:00 AM | March 20, 12:00 AM |
| Tokyo | March 19, 9:00 PM | March 20, 1:00 PM | March 20, 12:00 AM |
| Sydney | March 19, 11:00 PM | March 20, 3:00 PM | March 20, 12:00 AM |
The game will not be compatible with Valve’s handheld device at launch, as it falls below the minimum system requirements for PC. However, the wording leaves room for future possibilities, while the game won’t be supported initially, Ubisoft has not clarified whether an optimization update for the Steam Deck could arrive later.
The playtime for Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be an estimate based on the player’s style, with the main storyline taking between 30 to 40 hours. The overall playtime may reach up to 80 hours, for players who like to explore every nook and cranny of the map and finish side quests.
Most fans have been looking forward to knowing how long the game is, particularly considering previous criticism of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. That game was usually panned for being too long, with the main story and side material taking more than 100 hours to complete. In contrast, Assassin’s Creed Shadows appears to have a better balance, offering a lot of content without overloading players.
