By Ubisoft’s highly anticipated action-RPG, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in 16th-century Japan, has unexpectedly leaked online. With the official release date scheduled for March 20 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X, some players have already gotten their hands on physical copies, sparking a wave of gameplay leaks across the internet.
Physical Copies Sold Ahead of Schedule
Reports suggest that physical copies of Assassin’s Creed Shadows were sold on Facebook Marketplace nearly a month before the game’s official launch. This led to leaked gameplay videos surfacing online, giving fans an early look at the action-packed world of feudal Japan.
According to a post on Reddit’s r/GamingLeaksAndRumours, PS5 copies of the game are fully playable for users who managed to purchase them early. The leak also confirmed the return of Animus Anomalies, a popular mission type from older Assassin’s Creed titles. However, the leaked version appears to be an older build, lacking some of the improvements planned for the final release.
Gameplay Leaks Spread Online
An anonymous X (formerly Twitter) user claimed they purchased the game from Facebook Marketplace and shared images of the installation screen and gameplay footage. Although these posts were swiftly removed, leaked images and videos continue to circulate online. One image revealed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will require 85GB of storage space on the PS5.
Some players even started streaming the game on Twitch, but these streams were also taken down. Ubisoft has yet to comment on the leaks or address how these physical copies made it into the wild before the official release.
A Troubled Development History
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has faced multiple delays. Initially slated for a November 2024 launch, it was first postponed to February 14, 2025, and later delayed again to its current release date of March 20. The delays were reportedly to allow more time for polishing the game.
Pre-Orders and Anticipation Remain High
Despite the leaks, Ubisoft confirmed that pre-orders for Assassin’s Creed Shadows are tracking solidly, comparable to those of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, one of the franchise’s best-selling titles. This indicates high anticipation among fans, eager to explore the dual-protagonist narrative set against the backdrop of 16th-century Japan.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of the year, leaks notwithstanding. Fans will finally get to experience the full game when it officially launches on March 20.