Ubisoft is facing a decisive moment with "Assassin's Creed Shadows". The publisher is hoping that the latest offshoot of the Assassin's Creed-The company's financial turbulence of the last few years is now over. Thursday's publication could decide the future of the company.
The French video games giant is in a precarious situation. Several flops, including "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora" and "Star Wars Outlaws", have raised doubts about Ubisoft's strategy. The company's share price has fallen by over 40 % in the last year, which has attracted the attention of an activist investor. Moreover the Guillemot founding family is examining talks with Tencent and other potential investors about a takeover in order to secure control.
The critical question is: Can "Assassin's Creed Shadows" turn the tide?
The big bet on Japan
After two delays and numerous leaks, "Assassin's Creed Shadows" finally takes players to feudal Japan - a long-awaited setting for fans. The two protagonists, the assassin Naoe and the heavily armored samurai Yasuke, bring a breath of fresh air to the gameplay. Ubisoft is relying on tried-and-tested mechanics such as parkour and stealth, but with a fine-tuned touch and a focus on the dual character system.
"They are not trying to reinvent the wheel, but hope that the old strengths of the series still work." said Jordan Van Andel, a well-known YouTuber who has worked with Ubisoft in the past. Nevertheless, he expressed doubts about the story and emphasized that the game needs to attract a broader player base beyond the hardcore fans in order to build on the financial success of "Assassin's Creed Valhalla", which generated over one billion dollars in sales.
Polarization as an opportunity?
Even before its release, there were heated debates surrounding "Assassin's Creed Shadows". The diversity of the main characters in particular caused controversy on social media. In the USA, where Ubisoft generates over 50 % of its sales, the issue is particularly heated - intensified by the political polarization following the election of Donald Trump.
But while some gamers are complaining about the character choices, the controversy could actually end up working for Ubisoft. "This is free PR and makes the game even more interesting for many"says Joost Van Dreunen, lecturer at the Stern School of Business at NYU.
Ubisoft is putting all its eggs in one basket. If "Assassin's Creed Shadows" is a success, the company could breathe a sigh of relief financially. If not, takeover speculation and internal power struggles are likely to increase further. The decision will be made on Thursday - and with it, perhaps the fate of Ubisoft.
The reviews so far speak largely in favor of the game and fans of the series Most of them are looking forward to the title. According to the reviews, "Assassin's Creed Shadows" is one of the best spin-offs in the series and was also able to convince us. Here are some impressions in the PlayFront review.
What do you think? Leave your opinion on "Assassin's Creed Shadows" in the comments below.
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