Ubisoft Takes a Risk with Assassin's Creed Shadows Delay

I have always believed that Star Wars Outlaws would be a perfect fit for the Christmas season. The game was unveiled during the E3 event in 2023 and received an overwhelmingly positive response, quickly becoming one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. However, despite its promising start, the game failed to deliver the expected results. This raises concerns about Ubisoft's financial situation, particularly with anxious shareholders and a significant wage bill, which could potentially lead to job cuts. The first indication that Star Wars Outlaws might not perform well financially came during the Summer Games Fest in June. Despite being one of the most anticipated games, it received a lukewarm response, with social media stats and wish list data showing that it was lagging behind other games. The game's release window, business model, and available platforms have been cited as potential reasons for its poor performance. However, I believe that if the game had been released in late October or early November, it might have attracted a broader audience. The holiday season is a crucial time for game sales, and a well-timed release could have made a significant difference. Ubisoft has now delayed the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows to early next year, which could give Star Wars Outlaws a second chance to perform well during the festive period. The company appears to be reconfiguring its release strategy, taking a more consumer-friendly approach, and dropping its unpopular Season Pass business model. This move carries considerable risk, but if it pays off, it could be a wise decision for Ubisoft. Meanwhile, Assassin's Creed Shadows will now be released in February, which is an unusual time for the series. However, Ubisoft has had success with releasing games during the early months of the year, and the game could still deliver strong numbers. The game's proximity to other significant releases, such as Monster Hunter Wilds, could pose a challenge, but Ubisoft is committed to making changes to its approach to game releases. The company has announced that it will launch its games on PC via Steam on day one, and will engage with its users in a more meaningful way. Whether these changes will generate goodwill among the community remains to be seen, but in commercial terms, the delay could be a strategic move to allow Star Wars Outlaws to shine during the holiday season.