Why Is Assassin's Creed Shadows' Steam Player Count So Low? A Deep Dive Analysis

[Katie]

Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched with a surprisingly low Steam peak of just ~25,000 concurrent players. This is significantly below past Assassin’s Creed titles like Odyssey (~62k peak) and Origins (~41k peak). Even the Ghost of Tsushima PC port had a stronger debut with ~77k players. This raises the question: what happened?

After analyzing sales data, community sentiment, technical performance, competition, and external factors, here’s what we found.

1. Sales & Performance – How Does AC Shadows Compare?

On Steam, AC Shadows is underperforming compared to past AC games:

AC Odyssey (2018) – 62,000 peak players
AC Origins (2017) – 41,500 peak players
AC Valhalla (2022 PC Launch) – 15,700 peak players
Ghost of Tsushima PC (2024) – 77,000 peak players
AC Shadows (2025) – 25,000 peak players

But does this mean the game is failing overall? Not necessarily. Assassin’s Creed is a console-first franchise, and Ubisoft also pushes its Ubisoft Connect launcher. Many PC players may have chosen to play via Ubi+ subscription instead of buying outright.

That said, Ubisoft expected Shadows to perform better. Before launch, they claimed preorders were “strong” and that Shadows had the potential to be the second-best-selling AC game ever. If that’s the case, the low Steam numbers suggest either:

More players are on consoles or Ubisoft Connect.
Sales were overestimated.
Many are waiting due to concerns over the game itself (bugs, reviews, etc.).

2. Community Sentiment – Was There a Backlash?

Unfortunately, Shadows launched into a storm of controversy. While some players enjoyed the game, others fixated on external issues, including:

- “Woke” backlash & historical accuracy debates: Some players criticized the inclusion of Yasuke, an African samurai, claiming it was “forced diversity.” This escalated when Elon Musk called it “DEI killing art,” leading to a wider debate. Ubisoft defended their decision, but the controversy dominated discussion, drowning out conversations about the gameplay itself.

- Ubisoft fatigue & trust issues: Many players simply don’t trust Ubisoft anymore. The company has had a rough reputation due to microtransactions, bloated open-world formulas, and past disappointments (Ghost Recon Breakpoint, XDefiant, etc.). Some players waited for reviews or a sale instead of buying at launch.

- Lukewarm hype: Shadows was marketed well, but it didn’t excite players beyond the core AC fanbase. Unlike Odyssey or Origins, which felt like fresh takes, Shadows seemed like “just another AC game” to many potential buyers.

3. Technical & Gameplay Issues – Was the PC Version the Problem?

There were also technical issues that hurt launch momentum:

Performance problems on PC: Players reported demanding system requirements and subpar optimization, with low FPS on mid-range PCs and even 23 FPS on Steam Deck at the lowest settings.
Bug reports: While not game-breaking, various animation glitches, AI issues, and a crash tied to Ubisoft’s DRM login gave a bad impression.
Denuvo DRM controversy: The presence of Denuvo (with activation limits) annoyed some PC players, who blamed it for performance drops.
While Shadows is a polished game overall, these technical setbacks may have caused some PC players to hold off on buying it.

4. Competition – Did Other Games Steal Its Thunder?

AC Shadows launched into one of the busiest gaming seasons in years. Players had plenty of other big games to play instead:

Monster Hunter Wilds (1.38M peak players on Steam!) – A massive release that dominated the PC audience right before Shadows.
Ghost of Tsushima (77k peak on Steam) – A widely beloved samurai game that many see as a better version of Shadows. Some players may have already gotten their “feudal Japan fix.”
Avowed, WWE 2K25, Elden Ring DLC hype – Other major RPGs and action games in early 2025 took away attention.
Subscription models (Ubisoft+ & Game Pass) – Many players now wait for games to hit subscriptions or discounts rather than paying $70 at launch.
These factors made Shadows less of a “must-buy” title for many PC players.

5. External Factors – Ubisoft’s Reputation & Pricing Issues

Beyond direct competition, several external factors played a role:

Ubisoft’s recent struggles: The company has been dealing with financial downturns, game delays, and PR issues. This led to less confidence in Shadows.
Franchise fatigue: AC games are released frequently, and some players are simply burned out on the formula.
Price sensitivity: At $70, some players decided to wait for a sale, knowing Ubisoft games typically get discounted within months.

Conclusion – Why Did Shadows Struggle on Steam?

In short, AC Shadows had too many headwinds:

- Steam players likely migrated to Ubisoft Connect or consoles.
- The game got swept up in political debates, distracting from its merits.
- PC performance issues made many players hesitant to buy at launch.
- Major competition (Monster Hunter, Ghost of Tsushima PC) dominated the market.
- Ubisoft’s trust issues & franchise fatigue led to cautious buyers.

Will Shadows recover? Maybe. If console sales are strong, it may still be a financial success. But as of now, it looks like the game is underperforming relative to Ubisoft’s expectations.

[Naamtar]

Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched with a surprisingly low Steam peak of just ~25,000 concurrent players. This is significantly below past Assassin’s Creed titles like Odyssey (~62k peak) and Origins (~41k peak). Even the Ghost of Tsushima PC port had a stronger debut with ~77k players. This raises the question: what happened?

After analyzing sales data, community sentiment, technical performance, competition, and external factors, here’s what we found.

Sales & Performance – How Does AC Shadows Compare?
On Steam, AC Shadows is underperforming compared to past AC games:

AC Odyssey (2018) – 62,000 peak players
AC Origins (2017) – 41,500 peak players
AC Valhalla (2022 PC Launch) – 15,700 peak players
Ghost of Tsushima PC (2024) – 77,000 peak players
AC Shadows (2025) – 25,000 peak players

But does this mean the game is failing overall? Not necessarily. Assassin’s Creed is a console-first franchise, and Ubisoft also pushes its Ubisoft Connect launcher. Many PC players may have chosen to play via Ubi+ subscription instead of buying outright. But hey, why blame Steam numbers when clearly the true success lies in the magic of the Ubisoft Connect experience, right? Who needs the massive global reach of Steam when you have your own exclusive walled garden? It's probably for the best that people are “choosing” to play through a subscription service instead—definitely not a sign of any disinterest in the game itself.

That said, Ubisoft expected Shadows to perform better. Before launch, they claimed preorders were “strong” and that Shadows had the potential to be the second-best-selling AC game ever. If that’s the case, the low Steam numbers suggest either:

More players are on consoles or Ubisoft Connect—because let's face it, Steam's "dominance" is so overrated these days.
Sales were overestimated—because that never happens with highly ambitious projections, right?
Many are waiting due to concerns over the game itself (bugs, reviews, etc.)—but surely, who can blame anyone for waiting? Nobody rushes to buy Ubisoft games right away after their perfect track record with releases.

Community Sentiment – Was There a Backlash?
Unfortunately, Shadows launched into a storm of controversy. While some players enjoyed the game, others fixated on external issues, including:

“Woke” backlash & historical accuracy debates: Some players criticized the inclusion of Yasuke, an African samurai, claiming it was “forced diversity.” This escalated when Elon Musk called it “DEI killing art,” leading to a wider debate. Ubisoft defended their decision, but the controversy dominated discussion, drowning out conversations about the gameplay itself. But really, the real issue here isn’t the gameplay or technical performance—it’s clearly the uproar over Yasuke, because that's totally the real reason players aren’t playing. Historical accuracy is the real enemy here, right?

Ubisoft fatigue & trust issues: Many players simply don’t trust Ubisoft anymore. The company has had a rough reputation due to microtransactions, bloated open-world formulas, and past disappointments (Ghost Recon Breakpoint, XDefiant, etc.). Some players waited for reviews or a sale instead of buying at launch. But honestly, why should anyone trust a company that consistently delivers content on a regular basis? That's just too predictable and reliable. Who wouldn’t hesitate to buy at launch, especially when the game is clearly going to be available for $30 in a couple of months anyway?

Lukewarm hype: Shadows was marketed well, but it didn’t excite players beyond the core AC fanbase. Unlike Odyssey or Origins, which felt like fresh takes, Shadows seemed like “just another AC game” to many potential buyers. But hey, who needs excitement when you’ve got a tried-and-true formula that’s been working for over a decade? Fresh takes are overrated anyway. Why mess with a good thing when you can just recycle the same mechanics and call it “nostalgic”?

Technical & Gameplay Issues – Was the PC Version the Problem?
There were also technical issues that hurt launch momentum:

Performance problems on PC: Players reported demanding system requirements and subpar optimization, with low FPS on mid-range PCs and even 23 FPS on Steam Deck at the lowest settings. But why stress over a little performance hiccup? Who wouldn’t want to experience the thrill of struggling with system requirements—it's just part of the “experience”!

Bug reports: While not game-breaking, various animation glitches, AI issues, and a crash tied to Ubisoft’s DRM login gave a bad impression. But let’s be real—bugs are just part of the charm of any new release, especially one from Ubisoft. A little glitchy animation here and there just adds to the immersion, right?

Denuvo DRM controversy: The presence of Denuvo (with activation limits) annoyed some PC players, who blamed it for performance drops. But who cares about DRM when you get to feel that extra level of security in your gaming experience? Sure, the game might run like a potato, but at least it’s protected, right?

While Shadows is a polished game overall, these technical setbacks may have caused some PC players to hold off on buying it. But, honestly, technical setbacks are so overrated, right? Who really needs a perfectly smooth experience when you have the joy of watching a game struggle for a few hours?

Competition – Did Other Games Steal Its Thunder?
AC Shadows launched into one of the busiest gaming seasons in years. Players had plenty of other big games to play instead:

Monster Hunter Wilds (1.38M peak players on Steam!) – A massive release that dominated the PC audience right before Shadows. But obviously, Shadows wasn’t really supposed to compete with Monster Hunter, right? It’s not like it had any chance against a legendary title like that. It’s not about the competition at all.

Ghost of Tsushima (77k peak on Steam) – A widely beloved samurai game that many see as a better version of Shadows. Some players may have already gotten their “feudal Japan fix.” But hey, who wouldn’t choose a game with a more dedicated fanbase? Shadows just needs a little more time to shine in its own way, right?

Avowed, WWE 2K25, Elden Ring DLC hype – Other major RPGs and action games in early 2025 took away attention. But, obviously, all of these games just randomly took attention away. There’s no way Shadows was overshadowed by such coincidental timing.

Subscription models (Ubisoft+ & Game Pass) – Many players now wait for games to hit subscriptions or discounts rather than paying $70 at launch. But honestly, who could blame them? Why buy a game at launch when you can just wait a few months for the exact same experience for a fraction of the price?

These factors made Shadows less of a “must-buy” title for many PC players.

External Factors – Ubisoft’s Reputation & Pricing Issues
Beyond direct competition, several external factors played a role:

Ubisoft’s recent struggles: The company has been dealing with financial downturns, game delays, and PR issues. This led to less confidence in Shadows. But clearly, Ubisoft just happens to have bad luck in the timing department. Surely, their struggles don’t reflect any long-term issues with quality.

Franchise fatigue: AC games are released frequently, and some players are simply burned out on the formula. But really, who gets tired of the same mechanics over and over again? Freshness isn’t always necessary. The formula is beloved, after all.

Price sensitivity: At $70, some players decided to wait for a sale, knowing Ubisoft games typically get discounted within months. But honestly, that’s just smart shopping. Who wouldn’t wait for a price drop when you know it’s inevitable?

Conclusion – Why Did Shadows Struggle on Steam?
In short, AC Shadows had too many headwinds:

Steam players likely migrated to Ubisoft Connect or consoles. Because really, Steam is just so overrated at this point. Who needs Steam when you can be in the exclusive Ubisoft ecosystem?
The game got swept up in political debates, distracting from its merits. Obviously, it's the political noise that’s the issue, and not anything in the game’s actual design or technical execution.
PC performance issues made many players hesitant to buy at launch. But who needs flawless performance anyway? It’s not like those pesky bugs should matter when there’s so much else going on in the game.
Major competition (Monster Hunter, Ghost of Tsushima PC) dominated the market. But hey, that’s just bad timing. Who could expect a game to stand out in a crowded release window?
Ubisoft’s trust issues & franchise fatigue led to cautious buyers. But honestly, no one should be too cautious about their buying decisions. It’s not like Ubisoft has earned a reputation for over-promising and under-delivering, right?

Will Shadows recover? Maybe. If console sales are strong, it may still be a financial success. But as of now, it looks like the game is underperforming relative to Ubisoft’s expectations. But really, underperforming is just another way of saying “it’s just getting started.” After all, it’s all about that long-term strategy.

[peremptor]

The game looks and plays like a Ubiclone game... selling quite well all things considered. More than a few players love playing the same thing all over again with different textures.

[BPScott95]

Nice essay, didn't read it because the game has barely been out 6 hours yet and you know absolutely diddly squat about how it's done.

Like every troll does when they declare something a failure then have to shift the goalposts every time.

[Katie]

Originally posted by BPScott95:

Nice essay, didn't read it because the game has barely been out 6 hours yet and you know absolutely diddly squat about how it's done.

Like every troll does when they declare something a failure then have to shift the goalposts every time.

If you didn't read it, how do you know it's a troll post or that it's moving goalposts? Sounds like you want to live in the mighty echo chamber.

[the old jaeger]

it released either at night or early in the morning. it's 8 am for me, on a work day.
it wasn't the most brilliant idea to release it at this hour.
people have jobs or sleeping

[peremptor]

Originally posted by Katie:

Originally posted by BPScott95:

Nice essay, didn't read it because the game has barely been out 6 hours yet and you know absolutely diddly squat about how it's done.

Like every troll does when they declare something a failure then have to shift the goalposts every time.

If you didn't read it, how do you know it's a troll post or that it's moving goalposts? Sounds like you want to live in the mighty echo chamber.

He's probably sad that Ubisoft's future prospects are looking grimmer by the day. Heck this could be the last Asscreed for all we know.

[One-HiT KiLLeR]

Because people are tired of Assassin's Creed and ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. And the price is too high.

[RakataEpsilon]

I don't need a deep dive novel to know that the majority of PC is on connect and on consoles and those numbers don't get reported

[Stroggs]

Originally posted by Katie:

Why Is Assassin's Creed Shadows' Steam Player Count So Low?

Because it won't sell well.
But we'll see. I really doubt it will get decent sales.

[sensei]

bump

[BPScott95]

Originally posted by Katie:

Originally posted by BPScott95:

Nice essay, didn't read it because the game has barely been out 6 hours yet and you know absolutely diddly squat about how it's done.

Like every troll does when they declare something a failure then have to shift the goalposts every time.

If you didn't read it, how do you know it's a troll post or that it's moving goalposts? Sounds like you want to live in the mighty echo chamber.

Because I saw you posting pretty similar ♥♥♥♥ a few hours ago?

And anyone trying to tell anyone something is a disaster or success after 6 hours with no actual sales figures absolutely has no clue what they're talking about.

[Flannaz]

it's ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 7am in europe you absolute bamps

[Katie]

Originally posted by peremptor:

Originally posted by Katie:

If you didn't read it, how do you know it's a troll post or that it's moving goalposts? Sounds like you want to live in the mighty echo chamber.

He's probably sad that Ubisoft's future prospects are looking grimmer by the day. Heck this could be the last Asscreed for all we know.

Yeah, this game can't just sell normal AC levels, it has to sell incredibly to save the company. You can't have 10 ubisoft studios work on this game for like 7 years and expect to save the company only selling 5 or 10 million copies. They need to sell 20-25 million, and I don't think they will.

Even Veilguard, which need 4-6 million copies to break even (and they really only wanted 3 million because they were anticipating a loss), yet even that sold less than 1.5 million and still had much higher player numbers than this.

At the end of the day, these player numbers can triple on the weekend and it won't be enough.

[tanktopelms]

The game will sell decently. Most likely peak at 40k. Unfortunately, the inflated cost of Ubisoft game development will make it impossible to recoup the cost. RIP Ubisoft.

[Scrubwave]

Originally posted by YoYoStevo:

Originally posted by Flannaz:

it's ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 7am in europe you absolute bamps

Is europe the only place to exist in the world?

Should be.