Assassin’s Creed Shadow: Everything You Need to Know About the Launch

Introduction

The world of gaming is buzzing with excitement as Assassin’s Creed Shadow approaches its release date. For fans of the iconic series, the wait has been nothing short of agonizing. Thankfully, Ubisoft has provided us with all the details we need to know about the launch times for this highly anticipated game. Whether you’re planning to play on console or PC, Assassin’s Creed Shadow has a staggered release schedule that varies by platform and region. Let’s dive into the details and figure out when you can get your hands on the game.

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Launch Times

For PlayStation 5 and Xbox players, Assassin’s Creed Shadow will launch at midnight local time in each region. This means that the release will roll out gradually around the world, allowing players in different time zones to experience the game as soon as the clock strikes midnight where they are. However, there’s a clever trick for those who want to get a head start: the "New Zealand trick." Since New Zealand is one of the first regions in the world to enter a new day, players can change their console’s location settings to New Zealand and unlock the game earlier than others in their region.

On Xbox, this involves navigating to the console’s settings, selecting "Language and Location," and changing your location to New Zealand. Once you’ve done that, simply restart your console, and it will think it’s in New Zealand. For those in North America, this means the game will unlock at 7 AM ET on March 19—plenty of time to dive into the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadow before the official launch time in your area.

Steam Launch Times

For PC players, the launch time on Steam is a bit more straightforward. Steam will have a simultaneous global launch at midnight ET on March 20. This means that no matter where you are in the world, the game will unlock at the same time globally. Here’s how that translates into different time zones:

• 9 PM PT on March 19
• 12 AM ET on March 20
• 1 AM BRT on March 20
• 4 AM GMT on March 20
• 5 AM CET on March 20
• 8 AM GST on March 20
• 1 PM JST on March 20
• 3 PM AEDT on March 20
• 5 PM NZDT on March 20

The only exception is China, where the game will launch at midnight CST on March 20. This global approach ensures that Steam users everywhere can start playing at the same time, without the need for any time zone trickery.

Ubisoft Connect Launch Times

Ubisoft Connect users will have a slightly more complicated experience, as the launch times are staggered depending on the region. This is because Ubisoft Connect’s servers are located in different areas around the world, which means the game will unlock at different times based on your location. Here’s a breakdown of when Assassin’s Creed Shadow will launch on Ubisoft Connect in each time zone:

• 9 PM PT on March 19
• 10 PM Central Time on March 19
• 12 AM ET on March 20
• 1 AM BRT on March 20
• 10 PM GMT on March 19
• 11 PM CET on March 19
• 2 AM GST on March 20
• 8 PM CST on March 19
• 9 PM JST on March 19
• 11 PM AEDT on March 19

While this may seem a bit confusing, the key takeaway is that Ubisoft Connect users in different regions will gain access to the game at different times, depending on their time zone.

How to Play Assassin’s Creed Shadow as Early as Possible

With all these different launch times, it can be a bit tricky to figure out who gets to play the game first. The good news is that there’s a way to gain early access, regardless of your platform of choice. For console players, the New Zealand trick on PS5 or Xbox is the way to go. By changing your console’s region to New Zealand, you can unlock the game hours—or even a full day—before it officially launches in your area.

If you’re a PC player, you can also use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to mask your location and access the game early via Ubisoft Connect. Simply set your VPN to a New Zealand IP address, and you’ll be able to play as soon as the game unlocks in that region. While this requires a bit more effort than the console method, it’s a great option for PC gamers who want to dive into the game as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Assassin’s Creed Shadow is just around the corner, and the anticipation is palpable. With its intricate launch schedule across different platforms and regions, Ubisoft has provided fans with plenty of options to get their hands on the game as early as possible. Whether you’re playing on PS5, Xbox, Steam, or Ubisoft Connect, there’s a way to experience Assassin’s Creed Shadow at the earliest possible moment. So, mark your calendars, set your clocks, and get ready to embark on the latest adventure in the Assassin’s Creed universe. The wait is almost over!