Assassin’s Creed Shadows: UK’s Largest Physical Game Release of the Year

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Surprising Success

In a remarkable turn of events, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is making waves in the gaming industry, proving to be a strong contender against this year’s blockbuster, Monster Hunter Wilds. The latter managed to sell eight million units shortly after its release, with a peak of 1.3 million concurrent players on Steam. Yet, Shadows is quickly gaining ground.

A Solid Launch Performance

Already attracting approximately two million players, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has surpassed expectations, especially in the UK market where it leads in physical sales compared to Monster Hunter Wilds. As reported by Christopher Dring from GameIndustry.biz, it has become the highest-selling physical game launch of the year in the UK.

A Successful Debut Despite Controversies

This installment, set in feudal Japan, achieved over one million players on its launch day, overcoming adversity such as controversies during its marketing campaign and multiple release delays. These postponements, however, appear to have been beneficial, as early reviews suggest that players are largely satisfied with the game.

Historical Comparisons with Previous Titles

With its current player count, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has outperformed both Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which were previous successful entries in the franchise. Dring highlights that Shadows sold more boxed copies within its first week than Star Wars Outlaws managed in three months, a stark contrast that underscores Ubisoft’s shifting fortunes in the market. This is particularly poignant considering Ubisoft’s acknowledgment of Star Wars Outlaws‘ underperformance.

Future Prospects and Ongoing Developments

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows currently enjoys a strong presence, the competitive landscape may shift with upcoming releases like Call of Duty, Mario Kart 9, and Grand Theft Auto VI. These titles could potentially alter player engagement dramatically.

Expert Review Insights

For those interested in a more comprehensive evaluation of the game, check out Francesco De Meo’s review, where he awarded Assassin’s Creed Shadows a commendable score of 8.7, describing it as a “gorgeous dive into feudal chaos.”

Moreover, Ubisoft has plans for DLC for Assassin’s Creed Mirage, with ongoing support and mods to be anticipated for fans of the series.

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