Assassin’s Creed Shadows: How Did the Game Influence the Ubisoft-Tencent Deal?
What’s the Deal?
Ubisoft has shocked the gaming world with a billion-dollar deal with Tencent. It involves their biggest franchises, like Assassin’s Creed. But what led the company to make this move? Did Assassin’s Creed Shadows, released in March 2025, play a role in this? In this post, we’ll dive into the game’s performance and Ubisoft’s financial situation. Keep reading to find out!
The Ubisoft-Tencent Deal: What Went Down?
At the end of March 2025, Ubisoft announced a new subsidiary. It covers their three main franchises: Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six. Tencent invested €1.16 billion (about US$1.25 billion) to acquire 25% of this entity. The new company is valued at €4 billion.
Moreover, the subsidiary will have an exclusive license to develop games for these franchises. This has sparked debates about Ubisoft’s future. The company claims it will retain leadership. However, the deal comes at a tough time. Ubisoft has faced financial struggles in recent years. Its market cap dropped from US$12.17 billion in 2021 to just US$1.6 billion in January 2025. Games like Star Wars Outlaws and Skull & Bones underperformed in sales. The company also racked up debt and closed studios, including those in San Francisco and Osaka.
How Did Assassin’s Creed Shadows Perform?
Released on March 20, 2025, Assassin’s Creed Shadows saw decent success. It reached over 3 million players in its first week. The game became the second-biggest launch in the franchise’s history for first-day revenue, behind Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. On Steam, it set a series record with a peak of 64,825 concurrent players. Plus, it racked up over 11 million hours watched on Twitch.
However, Shadows didn’t turn around Ubisoft’s financial woes. It sold around 310,000 copies on Steam in its first three days. Despite this, it lagged behind Valhalla and other 2025 releases like Monster Hunter Wilds, which sold 3.7 million units. The game also faced challenges. It was delayed multiple times, from November 2024 to March 2025. This increased development costs. Additionally, it received pre-launch criticism for creative choices, like including a Black samurai and a female assassin. Check out more details in our Assassin’s Creed Shadows launch post.
Why Did Ubisoft Make This Deal?
If Assassin’s Creed Shadows had been a massive hit, Ubisoft might have avoided this restructuring. For example, Valhalla generated over US$1 billion in revenue. Shadows brought some financial relief. However, it wasn’t enough to solve the company’s deeper issues. Ubisoft is dealing with high operating costs and mounting debt.
That’s why the Tencent partnership seems like a move to attract investment. It helps ease financial pressure. However, it also means giving up some control over their most valuable IPs.
What’s Next for Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the Franchise?
The Tencent deal could bring more resources to Assassin’s Creed Shadows. For instance, the Claws of Awaji expansion will add 10 hours of gameplay. However, fans have concerns. Tencent is known for aggressive monetization practices, like microtransactions. This could change the franchise’s core feel.
On the other hand, the investment might allow Ubisoft to create more ambitious experiences. The company said the new subsidiary will focus on “evergreen game ecosystems.” This could mean more multiplayer content and frequent updates for Shadows.
Want to know more about Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Check out our Assassin’s Creed Shadows Game Stand to stay in the loop! Also, explore other awesome action-adventure games on our Action Game Lists page. And don’t miss the latest updates in our News section! For more details on the deal, see the official announcement on Ubisoft’s website.
Let’s Chat!
What do you think of this Ubisoft-Tencent partnership? Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows face changes in the future? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s talk! 🎮
