Summary

  • Ubisoft reveals the official global launch timings and pre-load details for Assassin's Creed Shadows.
  • All console users will be able to jump in at 12 AM local time on March 20, but the launch time for PC players will vary.
  • Xbox Series X/S owners can pre-load Assassin's Creed Shadows right now, with PC pre-loads available on March 17, followed by PS5 on March 18.

Ubisoft has revealed the official global launch timings and pre-load details for Assassin's Creed Shadows ahead of its March 20 release, confirming exactly when players on both PC and console will be able to jump into the highly anticipated title. Assassin's Creed Shadows will be the fourteenth mainline entry in Ubisoft's critically acclaimed franchise, but it will be the first time the series has ventured into the setting of feudal Japan.

Since its initial announcement back in September 2022, Assassin's Creed Shadows ​​​​​​has been delayed multiple times. Ubisoft's upcoming entry in the Assassin's Creed series was initially supposed to release in November 2024, but it was postponed until February 2025, less than two months before it was supposed to launch. Then, in early January, roughly one month before its planned second release date, Ubisoft announced another delay, this time to March 20. With only two weeks left to go until its launch, it looks like fans may finally be about to get their hands on Assassin's Creed Shadows​​​​​.

ac shadows key art
Assassin's Creed Shadows: How the Animus Hub's Anomalies Work

In a The Best War Games interview, a Ubisoft Quebec dev explains how Assassin's Creed Shadows' anomalies work and how they differ from AC Valhalla.

By 

With the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows now just two weeks away, Ubisoft has given fans the full global launch timings and pre-load details. Players who have pre-ordered on Xbox Series X/S can pre-load the game right now, while PC users will be able to download the required data from March 17 at 4 PM UTC, followed by PlayStation 5 users on March 18 at 12 AM local time. As for the global release time, this will vary depending on the user's platform of choice and the region. For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S users, the release time will be midnight local time on March 20, but PC users will have a different schedule to follow. Thanks to the release time map below, players can find out exactly when they can jump into Assassin's Creed Shadows​​​​​​.

What Time Does Assassin's Creed Shadows Release?

  • Los Angeles
    • 9 AM on March 19 for PC
    • 12 AM on March 20 for Consoles

  • Montreal
    • 12 AM on March 20 for PC and Consoles

  • New York
    • 12 AM on March 20 for PC and Consoles

  • London
    • 10 PM on March 19 for PC via Ubisoft Connect
    • 4 AM on March 20 for PC via Steam
    • 12 AM on March 20 for Consoles

  • Paris
    • 11 PM on March 19 for PC via Ubisoft Connect
    • 5 AM on March 20 for PC via Steam
    • 12 AM on March 20 for Consoles

  • Tokyo
    • 9 PM on March 19 for PC via Ubisoft Connect
    • 1 PM on March 20 for PC via Steam
    • 12 AM on March 20 for Consoles

  • Sydney
    • 11 PM on March 19 for PC via Ubisoft Connect
    • 3 PM on March 20 for PC via Steam
    • 12 AM on March 20 for Consoles

Those jumping into Assassin's Creed Shadows ​​​​​​via Steam shouldn't expect to be able to switch between the title on their PC and Steam Deck, however. In a recent Q&A, Ubisoft confirmed that Assassin's Creed Shadows will not be compatible with Valve's handheld device as it is below the minimum specs for PC. However, it is worth noting that the developers said it would not be supported "at launch," so whether or not they intend to optimize Shadows for the Deck later down the line remains unknown.

The global release time reveal comes just a couple of days after Ubisoft revealed approximately how long it will take for players to beat Assassin's Creed Shadows. While the length will vary depending on which side quests players choose to complete and how much of Japan they choose to explore, Ubisoft states that most players will be able to complete Assassin's Creed Shadows' main story in roughly 30 to 40 hours. If players choose to complete all of the game's side content too, they're looking at around 80 hours worth of gameplay. This is something fans have been eager to learn after a common complaint surrounding Assassin's Creed Valhalla was due to its sheer size and how many hours it took players to complete.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Assassin's Creed Shadows Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Display card tags widget
Action
Stealth
RPG
Display card system widget
Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget
Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
Display card main info widget
Released
March 20, 2025
ESRB
Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
Developer(s)
Ubisoft Quebec
Publisher(s)
Ubisoft
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Expansion Details Leaked on Steam
10 Images
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Expansion Details Leaked on Steam
Assassin's Creed Shadows Press Image 6
Assassin's Creed Shadows Press Image 5
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Expansion Details Leaked on Steam
Assassin's Creed Shadows Press Image 4
January 23 is Going to Be a Big Day for Assassin's Creed Shadows
January 23 is Going to Be a Big Day for Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows Press Image 3
Assassin's Creed Shadows Press Image 2
Assassin's Creed Shadows Press Image 1
Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Genre(s)
Action, Stealth, RPG