Assassin’s Creed Shadows Leaks Early—Fans Are Streaming It A Month Before Launch

The internet has struck again. Ubisoft’s highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows has leaked online, and eager players are already streaming the game—a full month before its official launch. The situation has escalated quickly, with multiple gameplay clips circulating on Twitch and social media, only to be swiftly taken down as Ubisoft scrambles to contain the leak. If history has taught us anything, it’s that once a game hits the wild, there’s no stopping the flood of spoilers and unauthorized content.

A Leak That Caught Ubisoft Off-Guard

The leak reportedly started when a few copies of Assassin’s Creed Shadows surfaced on online marketplaces. According to posts on the GamingLeaksandRumours subreddit, some lucky individuals managed to purchase early copies from auction sites, with one seller reportedly listing multiple copies for $100 each. Whether these were mistakenly shipped out early or deliberately obtained remains unclear, but the result has been a nightmare for Ubisoft.

Soon after, Twitch streams showcasing early gameplay popped up, much to the dismay of Ubisoft’s legal team. As expected, these streams are being taken down rapidly, but once something appears on the internet, it’s nearly impossible to erase completely. Clips and screenshots are still floating around, giving curious fans a sneak peek before the game’s intended March 20, 2025, release.

Ubisoft’s String of Assassin’s Creed Shadows Woes

This leak is just another entry in Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ turbulent journey to launch. Ubisoft has faced multiple hurdles, from development delays to controversies surrounding the game’s representation of Japanese culture. Originally slated for November 2024, the game was pushed back to February 14, 2025, before settling on its current March 20 release date.

Despite these setbacks, Ubisoft remains optimistic. In its latest financial report, the company reassured investors that preorders are tracking in line with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which was the second most successful entry in the franchise. CEO Yves Guillemot even highlighted positive feedback from early previews, emphasizing the game’s ambitious dual-protagonist approach and immersive storytelling. Still, given Ubisoft’s recent struggles with underperforming titles, the pressure is on for Assassin’s Creed Shadows to deliver.

Controversies and Fan Scrutiny

Even before this leak, Assassin’s Creed Shadows had stirred controversy. The development team had to issue apologies for historical inaccuracies in its portrayal of feudal Japan and for mistakenly using a historical reenactment group’s flag without permission. Additionally, collectible figure maker PureArts withdrew a planned Assassin’s Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its “insensitive” design, further adding to Ubisoft’s promotional headaches.

With all these issues brewing, the last thing Ubisoft needed was a full-scale leak. While leaks can sometimes generate additional buzz for a game, they can also disrupt marketing strategies and damage pre-release excitement. The premature exposure of Assassin’s Creed Shadows may allow players to judge the game before its day-one patches and final polish, potentially influencing its reception.

The Bigger Picture: Leaks and the Gaming Industry

Leaks have become an unfortunate norm in the gaming industry. Whether it’s entire builds of games surfacing ahead of release or key plot details being spoiled, developers are constantly battling against unauthorized content distribution. Recent high-profile leaks, such as Grand Theft Auto 6’s early footage appearing online, have only added to the problem.

For Ubisoft, the focus now is likely on damage control. The company will continue taking down streams and gameplay footage while urging players to wait for the official release. However, the question remains: will this leak impact the game’s sales and overall reception? Some fans argue that leaks build hype, while others worry about encountering unwanted spoilers. Either way, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now part of the ever-growing list of major titles that have struggled to keep things under wraps.

What Happens Next?

Ubisoft has yet to release an official statement addressing the leak, but given the widespread nature of the situation, it’s only a matter of time before they acknowledge it. With just a few weeks left before launch, the publisher must now work harder than ever to keep anticipation high and ensure players remain excited despite the breach.

For those who want to go in blind and experience Assassin’s Creed Shadows as intended, now might be a good time to mute keywords and avoid gaming forums. And for the rest of the internet? The temptation to peek at leaked gameplay might just be too strong to resist.