Ubisoft did not make Assassin’s Creed Shadows available as a free public download for its first anniversary. Its March 2026 promotion was a limited giveaway for five Standard Edition digital codes, and the entry period has ended. Ubisoft announced separate free game content in June, but that update is not a free license for the base game.
What Ubisoft actually offered for the anniversary
Ubisoft’s official Assassin’s Creed Shadows – 1 Year Anniversary Giveaway rules describe a chance to win the game, not an open download for everyone. The promotion offered five digital activation codes for the Standard Edition. Ubisoft listed the prize value as $70 USD; that is the rules’ stated value, not a current retail price.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Limited Edition (Amazon Exclusive), PlayStation 5 | $61.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Assassin's Creed Shadows [PlayStation 5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cgBmgsqGL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Assassin's Creed Shadows [PlayStation 5] | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
The Art of Assassin's Creed Shadows | $29.69 | Buy on Amazon |
Entry ran from March 16, 2026 at 12:00 through March 20, 2026 at 12:00 Canada Eastern time. The period has passed, so the giveaway is no longer open.
How entry worked
To enter, participants had to like and repost Ubisoft’s official @AssassinsCreed post on X and comment on what they would do first in the game if they won. The rules limited entry to one per person. Five winners were to be selected at random from qualifying entries, and no purchase or payment was required to enter or win. Age and territory restrictions applied, including the game’s higher age rating where relevant.
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- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
What is free—and what is not
| Offer | What it provided | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Anniversary giveaway | A chance to win one of five digital Standard Edition codes; not a public free download. | Entry ended March 20, 2026, at 12:00 Canada Eastern time. |
| June final update | Free post-launch content for players, including the Black Tides story arc and Domains feature; it does not include a free base-game license. | Ubisoft announced it on June 16, 2026. |
In its June 16 final-update announcement, Ubisoft described Black Tides as its last free content drop and said the update was available to players. Associate Game Director Simon estimated the story arc at about two hours. The update also introduced Domains, a challenge feature with gameplay modifiers, which Ubisoft described as completely free. The post invites readers to pick up the game to experience the ending—a distinction between free additions and owning the game itself.
Does the Xbox PC announcement make the game free?
No. Xbox Wire’s July 27, 2026 report said Assassin’s Creed Shadows was among Ubisoft content added to the Xbox PC app. The article separately named games whose digital Xbox console owners could redeem for a PC version at no extra cost; Shadows was not on that redemption list. The announcement is not evidence that the game itself became free.
Rank #2
- Experience an epic, historical action adventure in feudal Japan and become a deadly Shinobi assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open game world in chaotic times
- Sneak as a Naoe to not be discovered, use your agility to confuse your opponents and stretch down your opponents with deadly precision and power as a Yasuke
- Use information as weapons and build your own spy network to have eyes and ears everywhere and find your targets easier and recruit new allies on the go with unique skills to help you with your missions
- Create a fully customizable hideaway for your growing Shinobi league, where you train recruits, craft new equipment and interact with important characters; set the room layout, decoration and accessories yourself
Where the game is available
Ubisoft describes Assassin’s Creed Shadows as an open-world adventure set in feudal Japan during the late Sengoku period. Its two protagonists have different play styles: Naoe is an Iga shinobi focused on stealth, while Yasuke is a samurai with a combat-oriented approach. Ubisoft lists the game for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Ubisoft+, Amazon Luna, Apple-silicon Macs through the Mac App Store, and Windows PC through Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Availability depends on platform and region; check the official product page for the applicable option and edition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is there a related physical product?
Ubisoft names the Complete Official Guide by Piggyback as a companion for exploring the game. It is a separate physical product, not part of the giveaway or a route to downloading the game. Check the retailer’s listing for the current edition, availability, and price.
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Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
