Assassins Creed Shadows - 8/10 GS, 82 MC Update: 2 million players already

The English Wikipedia articles aren't citing reliable sources and are only giving one side of the story (the Japanese perspective). In contrast, the Japanese Wikipedia articles on those same campaigns are citing reliable sources and, ironically, giving both the Japanese and Mongol sides of the story:

According to Chinese sources documenting the Mongol/Yuan perspective, the main reason the Mongols retreated was because they came poorly prepared and ran out of arrows, so they retreated to stockpile on arrows before storms wrecked their ships.

According to Japanese sources, samurai ambushed the Mongols and that forced the Mongols to retreat back to their ships where kamikaze storms wrecked their ships.

It's up to you guys which side of the story to believe (kind of like the Akira Kurosawa movie Rashomon). But I'm more inclined to believe the Mongol/Chinese side of the story. After all, we're talking about an experienced Mongol army that conquered most of Eurasia from Korea to Poland. And 13th-century samurai weren't as experienced or well-equipped as later samurai of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Or maybe both sides of the story are true. It could be the case that the Mongols running out of arrows is the reason the samurai were able to give some pushback to the Mongols prior to the kamikaze storm.

I feel like quota isn't the right classification. More like lazy pandering. Now, most media panders to specific or variety of audiences, typically the larger demographic. Some, participate in low effort pandering. Low effort pandering has been present for decades. It is only recently that it has been classified as woke. Prior to woke it was token characters. There are many tokenize groups in media. However, there grifters seemed obsessed with specific groups.😏

To be fair, both sides tend to exaggerate things when it comes to history, liberals and conservatives alike. There is evidence of gay samurai existing, but they were relatively uncommon. Same goes for the ancient Spartans, who are often misrepresented in this way. Both liberals and conservatives tend to exaggerate history to fit their bias, like conservatives denying gays existed or liberals acting like gays were everywhere. The real history is usually much more grey and complex.

Posted this in Luxury's thread, but had a chuckle.

I remember that term. Token. People actually did call out such characters back then. It's what led to the push for diversity in the writing room, which is a great thing. Also funding different diverse projects. One thing I can say about Netflix is that they put on shows from everywhere. Shows from America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, etc.

@lundy86_4 said:

Posted this in Luxury's thread, but had a chuckle.

So you're on the side of the anti-woke? Wow! That's actually very pathetic.

He is not. He is an objective bystander. 😏

lol, careful with that leap, it's a pretty big fall.

They ran out of arrows both times?

The reality is Mongols were very strong in the open field mainly because their composite bows were ahead of their time. However they actually struggled against castles because of their inferior siege equipment. They never conquered Poland because they couldn't take their castles so they would murder the people in the surrounding villages In hopes of surrender. They were defeated by the Polish and Hungarians for the simple fact they couldn't get past their castles.

Even without the Kamikaze the Mongols probably would have never been able to siege a Japanese Castle.

Mongols ran out of arrows during the first invasion. That's what Ghost of Tsushima is based on.

After acquiring gunpowder from the Chinese, the Mongols carried out a number of successful sieges. They ruled over China, so they could've used Chinese gunpowder to siege Japanese castles.

The Mongols conquered much of Poland, but it was temporary. The main reason they didn't expand further is because they received news of the Khan's death back in Mongolia and were ordered to return back home.

They never took a stone castle in Europe even at the height of their power. They left in 1242 because of the death of their Khan and came back in 1282 where they got their ass kicked and then left Europe for good.

Not true. The Mongols successfully sieged various Eastern European castles. For example:

• Kiev (1240)
• Esztergom (1241)
• Wroclaw (1241)

By 1282, the Mongol Empire had split into four Khanates. One of the four Khanates, the Golden Horde, was based in Russia and ruled over a big chunk of Eastern Europe for centuries. Beyond those territories, the Golden Horde didn't launch a full-scale invasion into Poland, but only a small-scale raid.

Either way, the Golden Horde was nowhere near as powerful as the most powerful Mongol Khanate, the Yuan Dynasty that ruled over China. At the time, China was the world's largest economy and the first country with gunpowder weapons, which changed the rules of warfare. And it was right next door to Japan. Facing the Yuan Dynasty is a totally different ball park.

@Macutchi: Yup. Mind you, it's still an AC open world game, so the tightness/variety you'd get in a linear level based stealth game isn't quite here. Doesn't stop me having a good time with all of this though. Yasuke is also good fun, and it's obvious he's the one you play with if you can't be bothered with the stealth or just want to switch it up. Lenghthy open world game, afterall.

And Ubisoft should make another Splinter Cell game. Like you said, they've botched up enough. Expensive-ass games being entirely wasted. Just make a level based (like blacklist perhaps) game with a great stealth campaign. A co-op campaign and spies vs merc multiplayer. Use the technology we have now to enhance and expand upon mechanics. Program the hell out of your AI. I'll be there.

And get Ironside back. Dude's been doing alright after kicking multiple cancers to the curb. One last Sam.

Go woke, get 2 million players! Take that libs!

"Dammit, Batu, you had ONE job to do..."

"Yeah, I know..."

"...and what was that one job?!"

"Bring arrows"

"And now look at us! OUT OF ARROWS!"

"Yeah..."

"Just look at the Khan! LOOK HOW SAD HE IS!"

"Poor Khan. I'm sorry"

"Well, you'll be sorry, because you'll have to tell him why he isn't getting that castle for Christmas!"

"Ohhhh nooooooo"

Makes me wonder what happened to the poor guy who forgot to stockpile enough arrows... 😭

Looking more into it, Japanese sources also confirm that the Mongols did indeed run out of arrows during their first invasion of Japan:

Nihon Ōdai Ichiran explains that the invaders were defeated because they lacked arrows.

So there's no real contradiction between the Chinese and Japanese sources. Both pretty much tell the same story from different perspectives.

Found a list of things they removed:

• Synchronization points no longer clear the fog on the map.
• No more torch.
• Berries can't be picked up to heal.
• Assigning abilities is strict.
• No more memory corridors after assassinations.
• No more modern storyline.
• No meditation to skip time.
• No autodrive, horse or boat.
• No territory map that showcases all activities.
• No bird.

Bird was a big help for me in the previous games. Now a lot of you discoveries happen with your feet planted firmly on the ground and a more limited POV. I really had to relearn certain game mechanics because finding people and treasure (entrances) was way easier with the bird.

The torch got replaced with a new system. Caves will either always have natural light flooding into the room or they will have this blueish hue lighting up the place where in previous games it was pitch black.

This is even better than the last time when everyone was gonna boycot Hogwarts Legacy.

The more they can move away from the simulation roots the better.

I'm surprised no one has post this yet...

Ubi's Twitter account eviscerated Musk on his own platform.

@last_lap: I saw that yesterday 😂

@luxuryheart said:

@drfecalstein said:

@luxuryheart said:

@drfecalstein said:

Ubi should start listening to the players and what they want and stop depending on critics to give them a pass and think everything is all good because IGN gave you an 8..

The critics aren't what keeps your company afloat. The players do. Who do think buys your product? Truth is Shadows is just Odyssey, Valhalla, Origins, with another coat of paint. Aggressively Mid.

I'm not being mean, I'm just pointing out the obvious. There was a time I liked Ubisoft a lot. Id rather them go in a new direction that makes better games that people really want to buy and play, rather than them crumble and have to sell off to Tencent or something.

They are stagnant, this is a SP game for $70 with a MTX store. It does hardly anything new for the series in any meaningful way.

It does have pretty graphics. But the story is shallow, the combat is repetitive, And its filled with bloat.

If Ubisoft doesn't change they are cooked.

And people get upset when people call out Ubi for their slop. Call them racist or sexist. "must just be mad because the white french canadians at Ubi put a gay black samurai in their feudal Japan game!"

Weird decision maybe, wont help the game sell, who in the hell was asking for a gay black samurai protagonist in a game based in feudal Japan smh... typical behavior from a bunch of white French Canadians working at Ubi, but that's not what makes it Ubi Slop. Its the bloat, the repetitive combat, repetitive camp, shallow writing/story, at a $70 price point with an aggressive MTX store flashing at the players face every time they boot it up.

So you're mad that there's a 🥷🏿er in your game? And you don't want anymore 🥷🏿ers in your game? Is that it?

Nothing I said was racist and you commenting this with ninja emojis with "ers" is ironically racist. In your lame attempt of painting me as racist (which just proves my point of what people do when you criticize Ubisoft for their bloated, mtx infested, overpriced repetitive games) you just project racism... horrible. We can ignore the gay black samurai, its weird but not important.

This game is typical UbiSlop. That's the real problem. Obnoxious cash shop with battle passes in a SP game.. for $70.. That is a repetitive, mid, next coat of paint AC... We have people bragging how big of a success this game is because UBI+ people are playing it, bragging about how many people rented this game.. its ridiculous. Ubisoft desperately needs a W and this game is not it. They need to actually sell this game.

They are selling a map for $10 that shows you where all the chests are in the world..

Who in the heck is buyng a battle pass for assassins creed games? I seriously want to know

Ubisoft is so cooked

Loading Video...

Then why are y'all only complaining NOW?

People have been complaining about Ubisoft for years.. Where have you been?

You think this is the first time gamers have criticized AssCreed, their battle passes and MTX stores in SP games? or the tired rinse repeat of Farcry..

The great Ubisoft who said gamers need to get used to not owning games?

Look at thier recent track record

Skull & Bones?

DefiantX?

Star Wars Outlaws?

Instead of "why are yall complaining now"? You should be asking when was the last time we weren't complaining about Ubisoft and their shitty business practices and minimal effort games?

Rainbow six siege maybe? Rayman Legends?

@uitravioience: Was in my feed this morning, funny af because it's true, a total smackdown 🤣🤣🤣

Over 3 million players.

Good to see Hogwarts and AC Shadows being massive successes.

All the Culture War aside, the game is boring as f*ck. I am really trying to enjoy it, but, as I was afraid, Ubisoft can make good gameplay or story anymore, even if their life depended on it. I am 20 hrs in and I want to kill myself from boredome. It's such a typical Ubisoft open world slog with very generic and repetitive gameplay. I know there are many weeaboos here on this forum that will come at me for the comments, but, honestly, the game can not get a green pass just for the Japanese setting alone. The game must also be fun. This is the least fun AC game I have ever played.

I mean the main story missions are boring as f*ck. They didn't even bother to create stealth puzzle inside the castle for assassinating the target.

Assault the castle, kill the roof snipers, the main target just walking casually in the middle of the backyard with no guards and gets killed in one hit. Boom, the boss battle is over. Literally in 5 mins. Are you fucking kidding me. What kind of the lazy shit game design is that? Honestly the Culture Wars was the only entertaining thing about this game so far. Cancelling my monthly subscription and will try SW Outlaws in the meantime.

@R4gn4r0k: Arguably the best thing about Hogwarts Legacy, was that it took the wind out if the sail of one side of the culture war. Would be neat if Shaddows could do the same for the other end of this, but it probably won't considering how much they've been down playing it's growing numbers. I doubt it will be a decisive enough success to quiet the outrage machine.

Yeah it really shows how wrong those youtuber ragebaiter low hanging fruit guys are. Like everyone in Japan hating this game, pfffft hahaha

Those games are no where near each other in success lol..

Hogwarts sold 12 million copies in its first 2 weeks while UbiSlop is bragging about 3 million players. Shadows selling 1.5 million at this point would be generous.. would be giving them the benefit of the doubt

Hogwarts is like 12 AC shadows combined in terms of success.

You know this math already.. don't know why you got to shill so hard for UbiSlop.

-Don't use bold text

-Don't confuse words like math with guesstimates

-Don't watch youtube ragebait low hanging fruit

-Don't scalp stuff so other people can't get an item they worked really hard for

In fact

-Don't post on Gamespot any longer

PS. How do you like my new signature image, pretty sweet right? 😎

Hey now, Dont get mad at simple math. I bolded to help you out.

Your comparison is ridiculous.

I love Halo <3

Take me back to the glory Halo 2 days.

No, I made it my banner image because of Halo Infinite specifically.

Shame you don't listen to my advice though, oh well back to youtubers who live in their own filth and spout hate all day. Low hanging fruit waste of time.

At least in Halo Infinite mp the game is free, so a battle pass makes sense

How much are you enjoying the AssCreed store/battle pass, get any cool gear? you going to buy that map for $10 that tells you where all the chests are? lol

Update:

OVER 3 MILLION PLAYERS FOR AC SHADOWS!

2nd highest Day 1 sales revenue in Assassin's Creed franchise history

Biggest Ubisoft Day 1 ever on PlayStation Digital Store

Best community ever, with over 40 Million hours already played

3 million players?! 😮

Alright incels, you lost this one. What's the next target?

Yotei features a woman...

A WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There were no women samurai, how dare a video game take creative liberties. It should cater to me and me alone.

And in case you think I'm overreacting, someone should take a look over on the steam forums for Ghost of Tsushima, absolute cesspool of brainrot.

@R4gn4r0k: A woman you say?! Oh hell no!!! Absolutely NOT!! Don't these devs know that we prefer straight white manly men in our games! Better go see what Asmon has to say about this travesty!

@uitravioience: I've been using the internet since 2001 and so brain rot has taken away most of my brain activity. If I need any opinion on women, grass, persons of color or any other things I never get in contact with I'll listen to youtubers gddammit.

Metroid Prime 4 features a powerful female protagonist, too.

Then again, the gameplay is far too complex for the kinds of people who worry about woke-ness, so perhaps they'll be too confused by it to attack it.

Metroid Prime 4 is safe because it's under Nintendo, a Japanese system.

even IGN is starting to ask themselves..

"thats neat Ubisoft.. how many copies have you sold?"

@drfecalstein: Why do you care do much about the sale figures, anyway?

Are you thinking that if the game fails and Ubisoft collapses, that will be a strong warning against other developers to not allow players to attack shrines?

It's great that you guys care so much about reducing vandalism at Japanese tourist sites. You're going about it in a really weird way, but if the gaming population rejects AC Shadows then it's a pretty clear sign that people feel strongly about how tourists act around religious sites.

@drfecalstein said:

@Jag85 said:

Update:

OVER 3 MILLION PLAYERS FOR AC SHADOWS!

2nd highest Day 1 sales revenue in Assassin's Creed franchise history

Biggest Ubisoft Day 1 ever on PlayStation Digital Store

Best community ever, with over 40 Million hours already played

even IGN is starting to ask themselves..

"thats neat Ubisoft.. how many copies have you sold?"

Ubisoft almost never give sales figures, but only report players and revenue. They did the same thing for almost every other Assassin's Creed game. They don't release sales figures like other companies.

In terms of player count, Shadows has the highest launch player count in the series with 3 million players in a week, surpassing Valhalla which had 1.8 million players in a week.

In terms of revenue, Shadows has the second highest launch revenue in the series, just below Valhalla. The reasons are because Valhalla was launched on more platforms (last-gen and current-gen, whereas Shadows is current-gen only) and Shadows was launched on Ubisoft+ across all platforms (Ubisoft+ wasn't available on all platforms when Valhalla launched). However, that could potentially translate into more long-term revenue from Ubisoft+ subscriptions. Either way, Shadows still grossed more upon launch than every other AC game besides Valhalla.

Overall, Shadows had a successful launch. I don't see any reason to doubt Ubisoft's statement that it's a successful launch, especially as they're a public company. It's illegal for a public company to lie to their own shareholders.

We finally have some physical sales figures for AC Shadows in Japan:

Famitsu Sales: 3/17/25 – 3/23/25 [Update]

1. [NSW] Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (Nintendo, 03/20/25) – 74,689 (New)
2. [PS5] Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land (Koei Tecmo, 03/21/25) – 27,810 (New)
3. [NSW] Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land (Koei Tecmo, 03/21/25) – 26,315 (New)
4. [PS5] Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 02/28/25) – 20,621 (763,490)
5. [PS5] Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Ubisoft, 03/20/25) – 17,701 (New)

In comparison to the launch weeks of other recent AC games in Japan:

A few possible factors behind its low physical sales in Japan:

• Western games rarely sell that well in Japan, a market dominated by domestic Japanese games. Ghost of Tsushima was a big hit there, but that was an exception to the rule.
• The PS5 has a smaller install base than the PS4.
• Digital sales are not included. While Japan was more physical in the past, the market has been shifting towards digital in recent years.
• AC Shadows was launched on Ubisoft+ across all platforms. Ubisoft+ subscriptions aren't included in the sales.
• Controversies over flag plagiarism (from some Japanese theatre group) and temple desecration (eventually patched out), the latter discussed in Japanese parliament (where they were concerned about tourists vandalizing temples).

They should've launched it on the Switch. Also, launching it alongside Xenoblade was a no. Though it'll do better in the Western gaming market.

Oh yes, the competition also hurt sales in Japan, where it released alongside two domestic open world games, Xenoblade X and Atelier Yumia. Either way, AC Shadows is a success in the West, launching with 3 million players worldwide.

Not to mention launching just after Monster Hunter. Everyone is too busy still playing that to dive into a new open world game.

But as the expression goes: "go woke, launch your game alongside strong competitors, and spark mild controversy over some Japanese cultural senstivities; sell fewer copies in the Japanese market".