Ubisoft has made the strategic decision to delay several significant projects in development, underlining its focus on delivering high-quality gaming experiences. This decision comes on the heels of the recent postponement of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, emphasizing the company’s commitment to refinement and polish.
While the latest financial results did not specify which titles are affected, CEO Yves Guillemot hinted during an investor call with Nova Play that the projects in question are part of Ubisoft’s five primary franchises: Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six, The Division, and Ghost Recon.
Guillemot characterized the delay of Shadows as a “smart move for achieving top-tier quality,” noting that the impacted games will now launch after the end of the current fiscal year, which wraps up on March 31, 2026. The anticipated releases are expected to arrive either in the subsequent fiscal year concluding in March 2027 or in the following one, ending in March 2028.
“Following a thorough assessment of our upcoming titles, we concluded that extending the development timeline for our significant projects would foster the best chance for success,” Guillemot stated in today’s briefing. “Therefore, players can expect substantial content releases from our flagship franchises in FY2026-27 and FY2027-28.”
What can players anticipate in the near term? Ubisoft has laid out its forthcoming lineup, which features Anno 117: Pax Romana, the eagerly awaited remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and Rainbow Six Mobile. Additionally, a spin-off of The Division, titled Resurgence, along with other titles yet to be announced, will make their debuts. Noteworthy is that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is on track to receive a significant expansion later this year, while Rainbow Six Siege is preparing for its impactful X update in June. However, there was no mention of the much-anticipated Beyond Good & Evil 2.
In other news, Ubisoft has provided further details regarding the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, along with plans for a new subsidiary backed by Chinese publisher Tencent. The company continues to work on reducing costs and its workforce.
In its recent financial announcement, Ubisoft indicated a revenue of €1.85 billion (£1.56 million) for the fiscal year ending March 31, noting it fell “slightly short of expectations.” This shortfall has been attributed to “lower-than-anticipated partnerships,” largely stemming from timing complications.
The release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which launched in March after a previous delay, was undoubtedly Ubisoft’s most significant event this year. Although no new sales figures were shared, the company asserted that the financial outcomes affirm the franchise’s ongoing vitality. Shadows recorded the second-highest day-one sales in the series, surpassed only by the pandemic-era success of Valhalla. Currently, Ubisoft reports that Shadows has accumulated an impressive 160 million hours of gameplay, although it has not disclosed the current player count since it exceeded 3 million just a week after launch.
The Assassin’s Creed series remains robust, boasting approximately 30 million unique players for the fourth consecutive year, a figure matched by Rainbow Six. In contrast, the Far Cry series has around 20 million unique users.
On the cost-management front, Ubisoft has successfully cut its fixed costs by €200 million ahead of schedule, with its workforce now standing at 17,782—down by 3,000 since September 2022, due to layoffs and a hiring freeze.
“This past year has been notably challenging for Ubisoft, marked by a myriad of dynamics throughout our portfolio amidst intense industry competition,” Guillemot remarked. “Nonetheless, we achieved positive free cash flow for the fiscal year, demonstrating fiscal responsibility across the organization.”
“Understanding the challenges ahead, we have undertaken decisive steps to strengthen the company’s future,” Guillemot added. “The launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows represented a turning point, reinforcing the franchise’s strength based on positive reviews from both longtime fans and newcomers. We also completed our initial round of cost-saving measures ahead of schedule and are committed to achieving an additional €100 million in savings over the next two years to further strengthen our structural efficiencies and solidify the organization’s foundation.”
Ubisoft plans to provide more details about its new subsidiary in collaboration with Tencent, which will focus on the company’s three major franchises—Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry—later this year.
The new entity is expected to concentrate on improving narrative-driven single-player experiences, expanding live-service offerings with enhanced multiplayer features and more frequent updates, while also targeting underserved markets such as mobile platforms and China.
Additionally, Ubisoft’s film and television division has announced plans to develop a Riders Republic movie, with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the directors behind Bad Boys for Life, attached to the project.
