Ubisoft has officially delayed the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows—the next major installment in the popular Assassin’s Creed franchise—by three months, pushing the global release from November 12, 2024, to February 14, 2025. But don’t despair—Ubisoft has a little something to keep fans entertained while they wait. If you haven’t experienced Assassin’s Creed Mirage yet, this might be your chance to get it for free.
In celebration of Mirage’s one-year anniversary (the game was launched on October 5, 2023) Ubisoft is giving away free keys of the game throughout this month. The catch is that only six lucky winners might be able to get their hands on a copy each week. To participate, fans need to head to Ubisoft’s official X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook account, like the giveaway post, and comment with an eagle emoji. If the stars align, you might win a free copy.
While the giveaway doesn’t guarantee everyone a key, it’s a fun way for Ubisoft to keep the hype alive and reward loyal fans as they deal with the Shadows delay.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows delay: Why the extra time
Ubisoft recently confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is already feature complete, but the extra time will allow the team to “polish and refine the experience.” Citing “learnings” from the Star Wars Outlaws launch, Ubisoft aims to ensure Shadows lives up to its potential. The game has two, not one, big protagonists— Naoe and Yasuke—at the helm both with unique playstyles and Ubisoft would want to get everything right before D-day.
Additionally, the company has confirmed Shadows will arrive on Steam from day one, marking a shift from their earlier strategy with Star Wars Outlaws, which skipped Steam at launch. Preorders for Shadows will be refunded, and Ubisoft is doing away with the traditional season pass model. Instead, all preorders will come with the first expansion for free.
Ubisoft is under the radar for all the wrong reasons lately. The company has faced financial struggles, with its share price taking a plunge following the underwhelming launch of Star Wars Outlaws. A minority investor in fact sent a critical open letter to the board and CEO Yves Guillemot, expressing discontent with Ubisoft’s performance and calling for changes.
For now, fans will have to be patient. But with Shadows promising Ubisoft’s “biggest entry in the franchise”, the wait could be worth it for all we know. In the meantime, maybe Mirage will keep your blades sharp—that is, if you manage to snag a copy.
