Does Assassin's Creed Shadows Feature Early Access?

This article addresses whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers early access so players can enjoy it before the official release date.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is Ubisoft’s long-overdue upcoming title. This is because the game has been delayed twice already. However, after a long wait, the release date of the game has finally been revealed, including preload schedules. Fans are hoping this will be the final release date and will not be delayed for the third time.

Unfortunately, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not feature early access. This is because the game has been delayed for so long that Ubisoft likely wants to ensure a simultaneous global launch without setbacks. If you want, you can just preload the game in advance so you can jump in when it’s ready.

Also Read: Yasuke: Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Character Guide

How To Preload Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Here is how you can preload Assassin’s Creed Shadows so you can immediately play the game once it drops:

Xbox Series X/S

Head to the Xbox Store.
Search for Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the search bar.
Choose what edition you want to purchase.
Click on the Pre-Order option.
After completing the process, head back to your games library.
Select the game and click the Download Now option.

PlayStation 5

Head to the PlayStation Store.
Search for Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Choose your preferred edition to purchase.
Choose the pre-purchase option and complete the payment process.
Wait for the game to finish preloading.

Keep in mind that if your game does not preload automatically after purchasing, you can always check your library and download it there.

PC via Steam

Log in to Steam and head to the shop.
Search for Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Purchase the edition you prefer.
Head back to your Library and choose the preload option.

Also Read: Which Platform Should You Play Assassin’s Creed Shadows On? PS5, Xbox, or PC

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Preload Date and Time

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Release Time Countdown for all Regions — Assassin’s Creed Shadows release and preload time for all regions (Image via Ubisoft)

The preload time for Assassin’s Creed Shadows varies depending on your platform:

Xbox Series X/S: March 4, 2025 (2:00 PM UTC)
PC: March 17, 2025 (4:00 PM UTC)
PS5: March 18, 2025 (12:00 AM Local Time)

Keep in mind that the preload schedule is different from the initial release date of the game. The preload option only allows you to download the game in advance. You will have to wait for the release before you can boot up Assassin’s Creed Shadows on your preferred platform.

We provide the latest news and create guides for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Meanwhile, you can check out the following AC Shadows articles or catch us playing games on Twitch and YouTube:

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Feature Early Access?