In a surprising turn of events, Ubisoft’s latest installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, titled Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has emerged as the best-selling console game of 2025, excluding sports titles and shooters. Despite facing a wave of online criticism, this game has captivated a significant audience, proving that engaging gameplay can often overshadow negative discourse. According to a recent report by industry analysts at Newzoo, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has managed to secure its position at the top of the sales charts, even amidst fierce competition from established franchises like Electronic Arts’ sports titles and the Battlefield series.

The recent launch of The Crew Unlimited, a fan-made server emulator for Ubisoft’s 2014 title The Crew, has sparked significant discussion about the implications of game piracy and ownership rights. The project’s developers have made it clear that they will not support players using pirated copies of the game, stating that issues arising from such versions are not their responsibility. This stance highlights a critical intersection of gaming culture, legality, and ethics that resonates deeply within the tech-savvy community.

Ubisoft’s recent struggles with the Star Wars Outlaws franchise highlight the precarious state of beloved gaming brands. Following disappointing sales figures, CEO Yves Guillemot attributed the game’s lackluster performance to the franchise being in choppy waters. This statement underscores the challenges that even established brands face in maintaining relevance and appeal in a rapidly evolving market. Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson revealed that plans for a sequel to Star Wars Outlaws were scrapped very early in development, suggesting that Ubisoft is reassessing its strategy and focusing on a stronger pipeline for the future.