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What Codename Red became
Ubisoft announced Assassin’s Creed Codename RED on September 10, 2022. The company described it as a flagship project developed by Ubisoft Quebec and set in feudal Japan. No release date was given at that point. In May 2024, Ubisoft revealed the final title, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, along with its two playable leads.
Release date history
The launch date moved once before the game came out. The table below lists each date as Ubisoft stated it, with its current status.
| Date | What Ubisoft said | Status today |
|---|---|---|
| September 10, 2022 | Codename RED announced as a feudal Japan project from Ubisoft Quebec. No release date given. | Working name, now retired |
| May 2024 | Final title revealed as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, with a launch date of November 15, 2024. | Superseded |
| September 2024 | A Ubisoft technical feature article still listed November 15, 2024. | Historical only |
| January 2025 | Ubisoft moved the launch to March 20, 2025, saying the extra time was to implement feedback and further refine and polish the game. | Current release date |
| June 2026 | Ubisoft published its final content update for the game. | Latest official update |
The January 2025 delay notice was signed by Marc-Alexis Coté “on behalf of all teams working on Assassin’s Creed Shadows.” It read: “Accordingly, the new release date is March 20, 2025.”
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- 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 the game is about
Ubisoft describes two playable leads. Naoe is a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke is a samurai. The game is set in a late Sengoku-era Japan open world, and Ubisoft highlights changing seasons, weather, and environments that react to the player. These are Ubisoft’s own descriptions of the game, not independent reviews.
Where you can play it
Ubisoft’s current game page lists the following routes. Confirm your platform on the store page before you buy, because platform lists change.
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.
- PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, through the usual console storefronts.
- Nintendo Switch 2, as listed on Ubisoft’s page. This is the platform entry to verify most carefully before purchase.
- Windows PC, through the Ubisoft Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
- Mac, through the Mac App Store, for Macs with Apple silicon. Intel Macs are not covered by this listing.
- Amazon Luna, as a cloud-streaming route.
- Ubisoft+, Ubisoft’s subscription, which Ubisoft lists as an access route. Check current subscription terms directly with Ubisoft.
A cloud or subscription route gives you access to the same game without buying a copy. A console or PC purchase gives you a copy to keep. These are different kinds of access, so compare the terms before you pay.
Physical editions
Ubisoft’s 2024 announcement said Standard Editions for PS5 and Xbox Series X would be sold physically at participating retailers. Ubisoft’s current game page also describes a Collector’s Edition with physical items. Retailer stock and edition contents change over time, so check the listing before buying a physical copy.
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![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
The final update: “Black Tides”
In June 2026, Ubisoft released what it called the final update for the game. It adds a story arc and Domains challenges. The story addition is titled “Black Tides.” Associate Game Director Simon described it this way: “It’s a story-capper for the game with about two hours of content wrapping up Naoe and Yasuke’s adventure.”
The “about two hours” figure is Ubisoft’s own estimate of the content. It has not been independently measured, so your playtime may differ.
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.
Which name and date to use
If you are looking up the game, use Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the March 20, 2025 release date. Use “Codename Red” only when you are describing the 2022 announcement or the project’s early history. The November 15, 2024 date is a superseded launch date and should not be used as the release date.
Ubisoft’s launch information comes from its own announcements and its game and store pages. Store listings and edition details can change after publication, so check Ubisoft’s current pages for the latest platform and edition information.
Quick Recap
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