Assassin’s Creed Shadows Reaches Impressive Player Count Milestone Already

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has taken the gaming world by storm, reaching over a million players on its launch day—a remarkable achievement for the franchise’s newest installment. Released on March 20, 2025, after months of eager anticipation, the game made a strong debut on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, greatly surpassing the initial successes of its predecessors.

Fans have long clamored for a Feudal Japan setting, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers this along with an engaging narrative featuring two vastly different protagonists: Yasuke, a samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi. This dynamic duo has captured the attention of players and critics alike, earning the game an average score of 81 on OpenCritic. It’s not just the critics who are impressed; player engagement is equally promising as crowds flock to explore this new world.

On social media, Assassin’s Creed Shadows celebrated this milestone by acknowledging the swift rise to over one million players, a feat achieved in just 15 hours post-launch. This impressive showing was further underlined by its rapid ascent to the top of Steam’s Top Sellers list, outpacing other big titles like Monster Hunter Wilds and Split Fiction. At the peak, the game had 41,412 concurrent players, according to SteamDB, indicating a strong player base.

The game’s player milestone is generating a buzz within the community. Compared to previous titles like Mirage and Valhalla, Shadows is leading with significant numbers, drawing more concurrent players than both combined. Critically, the game has outshone its 2023 predecessor but is still just shy of Valhalla’s score.

This promising start offers much-needed relief to Ubisoft, following a tough 2024 where titles like Star Wars Outlaws didn’t meet expectations. Should Assassin’s Creed Shadows continue to thrive, it might play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ubisoft, a company currently surrounded by rumors of potential acquisitions.

For gamers, Assassin’s Creed Shadows promises an epic adventure set in Feudal Japan’s rich landscapes. Players take on the roles of Naoe, a stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai, each offering unique playstyles and thrilling adventures across a beautifully rendered open world. With customizable elements and the chance to build a network of allies, Shadows offers a fresh take on the beloved franchise, inviting players to rewrite history in their own way.