Assassin's Creed Shadows Hits 2 Million Players 2 Days After Release, Ubisoft Says It’s Now Surpassed Origins and Odyssey Launches

Ubisoft has celebrated another impressive milestone for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, announcing that the game has reached 2 million players since its launch on March 20. This marks a significant increase from the 1 million players it achieved on its first day. Ubisoft emphasized that this number surpasses the launch figures of both Assassin’s Creed Origins and Odyssey, stating, "Thank you for joining the journey in Feudal Japan!"

For context, Assassin’s Creed Origins reached an all-time peak of 41,551 players on Steam, while Odyssey peaked at 62,069. It's likely that Shadows will surpass these numbers and potentially become the most-played game on Steam during this weekend.

Meanwhile, Dragon Age: The Veilguard by BioWare, launched on Steam on October 31, 2024, achieved a peak of 89,418 players. It's important to note that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a broader reach, having also launched on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, although player numbers on these platforms are not publicly disclosed by Sony or Microsoft.

The Complete Assassin's Creed Timeline

25 ImagesThere is substantial pressure on Assassin’s Creed Shadows to perform well globally for Ubisoft, following multiple delays and the disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has faced several challenges recently, including high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations leading up to Shadows' release. The situation has become so dire that the Guillemot family, Ubisoft's founders and largest shareholders, are reportedly in discussions with Tencent and other investors about a potential buyout to retain control.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows itself has not been without controversy, particularly in Japan. IGN confirmed that Ubisoft released a day-one patch addressing concerns from some Japanese politicians about the depiction of temples and shrines in the game. This week, a notable exchange occurred during an official government meeting where Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada raised the issue, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded.

Every Assassin's Creed Game Tier List

On Steam, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has received a 'very positive' user review rating, with 81% of over 6,000 reviews being positive. IGN’s review of the game awarded it an 8/10, stating, “By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade.”

For those eager to explore feudal Japan, check out our comprehensive Assassin's Creed Shadows guide, including our Assassin's Creed Shadows walkthrough, our detailed Assassin's Creed Shadows Interactive Map, and our guide to all the crucial things Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t tell you.