Ubisoft has officially announced that `Assassin`s Creed Shadows`, its latest installment that immerses players in feudal Japan, has successfully drawn in over 5 million players since its launch in March.
To celebrate this impressive milestone, Ubisoft also shared a range of captivating in-game statistics. Since the game`s debut, players have collectively navigated more than 1 billion kilometers across the vast open world, performed a remarkable 2 billion stealth assassinations, and showcased their softer side by petting in-game animals an astounding 38 million times.
Further details emerged from Ubisoft`s recent earnings report concerning `Assassin`s Creed Shadows“ first major expansion, titled `Claws of Awaji`. This expansion is set to be released before September 30, marking the conclusion of Ubisoft`s second financial quarter. It is expected to add more than 10 hours of fresh content to the game, alongside introducing new weaponry, skills, and character abilities.
It`s worth noting that the `Claws of Awaji` expansion will arrive before `Ghost of Yotei`, the highly anticipated sequel to Sucker Punch`s critically acclaimed `Ghost of Tsushima`, which is slated for an October 2 release. The `Ghost of Tsushima` series, a first-party PlayStation exclusive, has frequently drawn comparisons to `Assassin`s Creed` due to its expansive open world, strong emphasis on stealth gameplay, and its meticulously crafted historical Japanese setting. Many commentators observed that Sucker Punch seemed to fully capture the essence of feudal Japan with `Ghost of Tsushima“s initial release in 2020, predating Ubisoft`s entry into this specific historical period with `Shadows`.
During a recent State of Play event, Sony provided additional insights into `Ghost of Yotei`. The game`s protagonist, Atsu, will be equipped with a diverse array of weapons, possess the ability to disarm adversaries, and will form alliances with companions, including a loyal wolf. Furthermore, `Ghost of Yotei` will reintroduce the popular Kurosawa mode, alongside new game modes designed to pay tribute to other iconic works of Japanese samurai cinema.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft continues to provide regular updates for `Assassin`s Creed Shadows`. In May, the game received an update that refined its parkour system and introduced two unexpected crossover events. The most recent update in June brought a challenging new `Nightmare` difficulty setting and unveiled a special collaboration quest with `Critical Role`.