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Assassin’s Creed Shadows released on March 20, 2025. Its launch did not have one universal unlock time: the local time depended on both your location and whether you played on console, Steam, or Ubisoft Connect. The times below are the historical March 2025 schedule, not a live countdown.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows release date
Ubisoft announced March 20, 2025, as the game’s release date, and its store page lists the date as 20/03/2025. The original availability announcement covered PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Ubisoft+ Premium, Amazon Luna, Macs with Apple silicon through the Mac App Store, and Windows PC through Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Ubisoft’s pre-launch Tech Q&A and the Ubisoft Store listing are the primary release references.
March 2025 launch times by city and platform
The schedule below separates console, Ubisoft Connect, and Steam because their unlocks differed in some cities. Times and time-zone abbreviations are those reported for the March 2025 launch; they are not interchangeable across platforms.
| City | Console | Ubisoft Connect | Steam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 12:00 a.m. PDT, March 20 | 9:00 p.m. PDT, March 19 | 9:00 p.m. PST, March 19 |
| New York | 12:00 a.m. EDT, March 20 | 12:00 a.m. EDT, March 20 | 12:00 a.m. EDT, March 20 |
| Montreal | 12:00 a.m. EDT, March 20 | 12:00 a.m. EDT, March 20 | 12:00 a.m. EDT, March 20 |
| Mexico City | 12:00 a.m. CST, March 20 | 10:00 p.m. CST, March 19 | 10:00 p.m. CST, March 19 |
| London | 12:00 a.m. GMT, March 20 | 10:00 p.m. GMT, March 19 | 4:00 a.m. GMT, March 20 |
| Paris | 12:00 a.m. CET, March 20 | 11:00 p.m. CET, March 19 | 5:00 a.m. CET, March 20 |
| Warsaw | 12:00 a.m. CET, March 20 | 11:00 p.m. CET, March 19 | 5:00 a.m. CET, March 20 |
| Tokyo | 12:00 a.m. JST, March 20 | 9:00 p.m. JST, March 19 | 1:00 p.m. JST, March 20 |
| Sydney | 12:00 a.m. AEDT, March 20 | 11:00 p.m. AEDT, March 19 | 3:00 p.m. AEDT, March 20 |
These city examples come from GameSpot’s March 5, 2025, report of Ubisoft’s schedule and Steam’s separately published city schedule. GameSpot’s launch-time guide covers the platform differences; Steam’s March 15 announcement gives its own global times. In Los Angeles, for example, the reported Steam listing uses PST while the console listing uses PDT; the table preserves the source labels rather than treating them as one platform-neutral time.
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#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Why the unlock time depended on platform
Console availability followed midnight local time on March 20 in the listed cities. PC schedules varied by storefront: Ubisoft Connect unlocked earlier than Steam in several locations, while Steam’s schedule placed some European and Asia-Pacific cities on the morning or afternoon of March 20. A city and date alone are therefore not enough to identify the historical unlock time; you also need the platform or storefront.
Steam preload timing
Steam’s March 15, 2025 announcement said: “Assassin’s Creed Shadows is launching March 20 on Steam, but you can pre-load the game as early as March 17 at 9:00AM PST (4:00PM UCT).” The announcement spells the second time-zone abbreviation “UCT”; that wording is retained here as published. Preloading was not the same as being able to play—the Steam city unlock times are listed above.
Rank #2
- ENTER FEUDAL JAPAN - 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.
- MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLES - Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
- MAKE INFORMATION YOUR WEAPON - Travel 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
- BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOME - 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 buildings layout, decorations, and accessories.
Checking access now
The times above describe the 2025 launch, not present-day availability. Ubisoft’s store page lists formats including PC, PS5, Xbox, Steam, and Switch 2, but storefront listings may vary by region and can change. Check your own platform’s store for current availability, supported format, and purchase details. Ubisoft Québec’s March 21, 2025, post-launch platform information also names PS5/PS5 Pro, Xbox Series S|X, PC, macOS, GeForce NOW, Luna, ROG Ally and Ally X, MSI Claw, Steam, and Steam Deck compatibility; it provides later platform context, not a revision to launch times.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
Rank #3
![Assassin's Creed Shadows [PlayStation 5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cgBmgsqGL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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
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