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Explainer: Why does Ubisoft need a 'win' with Assassins Creed Shadows
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Explainer: Why does Ubisoft need a 'win' with Assassins Creed Shadows

It actually hit record sales revenue last financial year, yet the company is the poster child for the structural issues affecting AAA game development.

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Harrison Polites
Mar 12, 2025
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Explainer: Why does Ubisoft need a 'win' with Assassins Creed Shadows
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Yasuke and Naoe, the protagonists of the next Assassin’s Creed Game. Source: Steam

Assassin's Creed is a series known for stealth, subterfuge and of course, assassinations. But in a bizarre twist of fate, the launch of a game known for justifiable murder, could end up unintentionally killing its creator.

One of Europe's largest gaming companies, Ubisoft, has a lot riding on the launch of its next game, Assassin's Creed Shadows (releasing March 20). It’s share price is slipping and takeover rumours are swirling. All the while, the company is in court regarding allegations of workplace misconduct and sexual harassment. And it’s last two big bets — Star Wars: Outlaws and Avatar: Frontier of Pandora — failed to generate traction.

It doesn't take a financial analyst to read the writing on the wall. But how did we get here? And how did a company that actually hit a new record for game sales last financial year end being a takeover target?

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