Ubisoft’s highly-anticipated game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has faced a setback with its release date being postponed to 2025. Originally scheduled for November 12, the game will now launch on February 14, 2025. This decision comes after the underwhelming performance of another Ubisoft title, Star Wars Outlaws, and concerns about the company’s management. Executive producer Marc-Alexis Cote explained that the delay is necessary to refine and enhance the gaming experience, despite the disappointment it may bring to fans.
In a recent trading update, Ubisoft revealed that although Assassin’s Creed Shadows is “feature complete,” additional time is needed for polishing. The decision to postpone the game follows the lessons learned from the release of Star Wars Outlaws, which received criticism for technical issues. Ubisoft has assured fans who pre-ordered the game of refunds and offered a free expansion to those who place new pre-orders for the revised launch date. The company aims to deliver a high-quality gaming experience to its audience.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will mark the series’ first foray into Japan, a setting long-awaited by fans since the franchise’s inception in 2007. Despite the lucrative holiday season typically boosting game sales, the delay of the release was deemed necessary. The disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws had a significant impact on Ubisoft’s stock prices, which plummeted to a decade-low of 11.32 euros per share. Amidst calls from investors for strategic changes, Ubisoft co-founder Yves Guillemot emphasized the company’s commitment to creating enjoyable games for players.
The decision to delay Assassin’s Creed Shadows reflects Ubisoft’s dedication to delivering a polished and engaging gaming experience to its audience. The company’s focus on refining the title to meet player expectations underscores its commitment to quality. Despite the setback, Ubisoft remains steadfast in its goal of creating games that resonate with fans and players worldwide. The postponement of the game’s release date aims to ensure a successful launch and a positive reception from the gaming community.
As Ubisoft navigates the challenges posed by the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the company remains focused on meeting player expectations and delivering a memorable gaming experience. The decision to postpone the game’s release underscores Ubisoft’s commitment to quality and player satisfaction. With the promise of a free expansion for new pre-orders and a dedication to refining the gaming experience, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised to make a significant impact when it finally launches in 2025.
Original news source: Assassin’s Creed Shadows release date delayed to 2025 (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
Slow
Normal
Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | setback | A reversal or check in progress |
| 2 | postponed | Delayed or rescheduled to a later time |
| 3 | underwhelming | Failing to impress or stimulate |
| 4 | refine | To improve or perfect by making small changes |
| 5 | feature | A distinctive attribute or aspect of something |
| 6 | polishing | The process of making something smooth or shiny |
| 7 | foray | A sudden or brief attempt or venture into a new activity or area |
| 8 | inception | The beginning or start of something |
| 9 | lucrative | Producing a great deal of profit |
| 10 | plummeted | Fell or dropped straight down at high speed |
| 11 | strategic | Relating to a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term goal |
| 12 | dedication | The quality of being committed to a task or purpose |
| 13 | resonate | To evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief |
| 14 | navigating | Successfully steering or managing through a difficult situation |
| 15 | poised | Ready or prepared for something to happen |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to summarize the article about Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows in their own words. Encourage them to focus on the main points and key information while keeping it concise.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and have each group discuss their opinions on Ubisoft’s decision to postpone the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. After the discussion, conduct a poll to see how many students agree or disagree with the decision and why.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “Ubisoft” on the board and ask students to call out any words that come to mind when they think of the company. Encourage them to explain their choices and facilitate a discussion about the associations they make.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Have students work individually to list the pros and cons of Ubisoft’s decision to delay the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. After giving them time to write their lists, pair them up to discuss and debate their points of view.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose the question, “How do you think the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will impact Ubisoft as a company?” Give students a few minutes to think about their response, then have them pair up to discuss their thoughts. Finally, ask a few pairs to share their conclusions with the whole class.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. Why was the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows postponed to 2025?
2. What lesson did Ubisoft learn from the release of Star Wars Outlaws that influenced the decision to delay Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
3. How did Ubisoft address the concerns of fans who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
4. Why is the delay of the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows particularly significant for the franchise?
5. How did the disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws impact Ubisoft?
6. What does Ubisoft’s co-founder, Yves Guillemot, emphasize amidst calls from investors for strategic changes?
7. How does Ubisoft’s decision to delay the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows reflect the company’s commitment to quality?
8. What steps is Ubisoft taking to ensure a successful launch and positive reception for Assassin’s Creed Shadows in 2025?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Ubisoft’s highly-anticipated game, Assassin’s Creed (1)______, has faced a setback with its release date being postponed to 2025. Originally (2)______ for November 12, the game will now launch on February 14, 2025. This decision comes after the underwhelming performance of another Ubisoft title, Star Wars Outlaws, and concerns about the company’s management. (3)______ producer Marc-Alexis Cote (4)______ that the delay is necessary to refine and enhance the gaming experience, despite the disappointment it may bring to fans.
In a recent trading update, Ubisoft revealed that although Assassin’s Creed Shadows is “feature complete,” additional time is needed for polishing. The decision to postpone the game follows the lessons learned from the release of Star Wars Outlaws, which received criticism for technical (5)______. Ubisoft has assured fans who pre-ordered the game of refunds and offered a free (6)______ to those who place new pre-orders for the revised launch date. The (7)______ aims to deliver a high-quality gaming experience to its audience.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will mark the series’ first foray into Japan, a setting long-awaited by fans since the franchise’s inception in 2007. Despite the lucrative holiday season typically boosting game sales, the delay of the release was (8)______ necessary. The disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws had a significant impact on (9)______’s stock prices, which plummeted to a decade-low of 11.32 euros per share. Amidst calls from investors for strategic changes, Ubisoft co-founder Yves Guillemot emphasized the company’s (10)______ to creating (11)______ games for players.
The decision to delay Assassin’s Creed Shadows reflects Ubisoft’s dedication to delivering a polished and engaging gaming experience to its audience. The company’s focus on refining the title to meet player expectations underscores its commitment to quality. Despite the (12)______, Ubisoft remains steadfast in its goal of creating games that resonate with fans and players worldwide. The postponement of the game’s release date aims to ensure a successful launch and a positive reception from the gaming community.
As Ubisoft navigates the challenges posed by the delay of Assassin’s (13)______ Shadows, the company remains focused on meeting player expectations and delivering a memorable gaming experience. The decision to postpone the game’s release underscores Ubisoft’s commitment to (14)______ and player satisfaction. With the promise of a free expansion for new pre-orders and a dedication to refining the gaming experience, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised to make a significant (15)______ when it finally (16)______ in 2025.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on Ubisoft’s decision to postpone the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows to 2025?
2. How would you feel if a highly-anticipated game you were looking forward to was postponed like Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
3. Do you think Ubisoft made the right decision to delay the game in order to refine and enhance the gaming experience? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about Ubisoft’s offer of refunds for fans who pre-ordered the game and a free expansion for new pre-orders?
5. How important do you think it is for gaming companies like Ubisoft to prioritize quality over meeting release deadlines?
6. Do you believe that the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will have a positive impact on the game’s success in the long run? Why or why not?
7. What are your thoughts on Ubisoft’s commitment to creating enjoyable games for players, despite facing setbacks like the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
8. How do you think the disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws influenced Ubisoft’s decision to postpone the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
9. Do you think the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will affect Ubisoft’s reputation as a game developer positively or negatively? Why?
10. What is your reaction to Ubisoft’s focus on delivering a polished and engaging gaming experience to its audience, even if it means delaying the game’s release?
11. How do you think the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will impact the excitement and anticipation among fans for the game’s eventual launch in 2025?
12. Do you think the decision to delay the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will ultimately benefit the gaming community as a whole? Why or why not?
13. What are your expectations for Assassin’s Creed Shadows in terms of gameplay, graphics, and overall player experience, considering the delay for further refinement?
14. How important do you think it is for gaming companies to listen to player feedback and make necessary adjustments, as Ubisoft is doing with Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
15. Do you believe that the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will help Ubisoft regain investors’ confidence and improve its stock prices in the long term? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. setback
2. postponed
3. underwhelming
4. refine
5. feature
6. polishing
7. foray
8. inception
9. lucrative
10. plummeted
11. strategic
12. dedication
13. resonate
14. navigating
15. poised
Meanings:
(A) Successfully steering or managing through a difficult situation
(B) Producing a great deal of profit
(C) The beginning or start of something
(D) Fell or dropped straight down at high speed
(E) A sudden or brief attempt or venture into a new activity or area
(F) The process of making something smooth or shiny
(G) To improve or perfect by making small changes
(H) To evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief
(I) A distinctive attribute or aspect of something
(J) Relating to a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term goal
(K) The quality of being committed to a task or purpose
(L) Delayed or rescheduled to a later time
(M) Failing to impress or stimulate
(N) Ready or prepared for something to happen
(O) A reversal or check in progress
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. When was the original release date for Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
(a) November 12
(b) December 25
(c) January 1
(d) February 14
2. Why was the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows postponed?
(a) Due to financial issues
(b) To avoid competition with other games
(c) To change the setting to Europe
(d) To refine and enhance the gaming experience
3. What was the reason for the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows according to executive producer Marc-Alexis Cote?
(a) To rush the game to market
(b) To avoid criticism
(c) To refine and enhance the gaming experience
(d) To save costs
4. What lesson did Ubisoft learn from the release of Star Wars Outlaws?
(a) Rushing a game to market is beneficial
(b) Additional time for polishing is necessary
(c) Technical issues do not affect sales
(d) Fans do not care about delays
5. In which setting will Assassin’s Creed Shadows take place?
(a) Japan
(b) Egypt
(c) France
(d) United States
6. What impact did the disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws have on Ubisoft’s stock prices?
(a) They reached an all-time high
(b) They remained stable
(c) They doubled
(d) They plummeted to a decade-low
7. How did Ubisoft respond to fans who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
(a) Ignored their requests
(b) Offered refunds and a free expansion for new pre-orders
(c) Increased the price of the game
(d) Canceled all pre-orders
8. What is Ubisoft’s main focus in delaying the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
(a) Rushing the game to market
(b) Maximizing profits
(c) Delivering a polished and engaging gaming experience
(d) Avoiding criticism
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Assassin’s Creed Shadows release date has been brought forward to February 14, 2025.
2. The delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows has impacted Ubisoft’s stock prices, which dropped to a decade-low.
3. Fans who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed Shadows are assured of refunds and those who place new pre-orders for the revised launch date will receive a free expansion.
4. Ubisoft revealed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is “feature incomplete” but needs additional time for development.
5. Despite the setback, Ubisoft remains committed to creating enjoyable games for players and delivering a polished gaming experience.
6. Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not be set in Japan, marking the series’ first venture into this location.
7. Executive producer Marc-Alexis Cote stated that the delay is unnecessary to refine and enhance the gaming experience.
8. The delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is due to the underwhelming performance of Star Wars Outlaws and concerns about Ubisoft’s management.
Go to answers ⇩
📝 Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. Why was the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows postponed to 2025?
2. How did the underwhelming performance of Star Wars Outlaws influence the decision to delay Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
3. What steps is Ubisoft taking to address the disappointment of fans who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
4. Why is the setting of Japan significant for Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
5. How has the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows impacted Ubisoft’s stock prices and investor calls for strategic changes?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. Why was the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows postponed to 2025?
The release date was postponed to 2025 to refine and enhance the gaming experience, following concerns about the company’s management and lessons learned from the underwhelming performance of Star Wars Outlaws.
2. What lesson did Ubisoft learn from the release of Star Wars Outlaws that influenced the decision to delay Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Ubisoft learned from the technical issues faced by Star Wars Outlaws that additional time is needed for polishing games to meet player expectations, which influenced the decision to delay Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
3. How did Ubisoft address the concerns of fans who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Ubisoft assured fans who pre-ordered the game of refunds and offered a free expansion to those who place new pre-orders for the revised launch date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
4. Why is the delay of the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows particularly significant for the franchise?
The delay is significant as Assassin’s Creed Shadows will mark the series’ first foray into Japan, a setting long-awaited by fans since the franchise’s inception in 2007.
5. How did the disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws impact Ubisoft?
The disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws had a significant impact on Ubisoft’s stock prices, which plummeted to a decade-low of 11.32 euros per share.
6. What does Ubisoft’s co-founder, Yves Guillemot, emphasize amidst calls from investors for strategic changes?
Amidst calls from investors for strategic changes, Yves Guillemot emphasized the company’s commitment to creating enjoyable games for players.
7. How does Ubisoft’s decision to delay the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows reflect the company’s commitment to quality?
The decision to delay the release date reflects Ubisoft’s dedication to delivering a polished and engaging gaming experience to its audience, underscoring the company’s commitment to quality.
8. What steps is Ubisoft taking to ensure a successful launch and positive reception for Assassin’s Creed Shadows in 2025?
Ubisoft is offering refunds to fans who pre-ordered, providing a free expansion for new pre-orders, and focusing on refining the gaming experience to meet player expectations, aiming for a successful launch and positive reception in 2025.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) Shadows
(2) scheduled
(3) Executive
(4) explained
(5) issues
(6) expansion
(7) company
(8) deemed
(9) Ubisoft
(10) commitment
(11) enjoyable
(12) setback
(13) Creed
(14) quality
(15) impact
(16) launches
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. setback
Answer: (O) A reversal or check in progress
2. postponed
Answer: (L) Delayed or rescheduled to a later time
3. underwhelming
Answer: (M) Failing to impress or stimulate
4. refine
Answer: (G) To improve or perfect by making small changes
5. feature
Answer: (I) A distinctive attribute or aspect of something
6. polishing
Answer: (F) The process of making something smooth or shiny
7. foray
Answer: (E) A sudden or brief attempt or venture into a new activity or area
8. inception
Answer: (C) The beginning or start of something
9. lucrative
Answer: (B) Producing a great deal of profit
10. plummeted
Answer: (D) Fell or dropped straight down at high speed
11. strategic
Answer: (J) Relating to a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term goal
12. dedication
Answer: (K) The quality of being committed to a task or purpose
13. resonate
Answer: (H) To evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief
14. navigating
Answer: (A) Successfully steering or managing through a difficult situation
15. poised
Answer: (N) Ready or prepared for something to happen
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. When was the original release date for Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Answer: (a) November 12
2. Why was the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows postponed?
Answer: (d) To refine and enhance the gaming experience
3. What was the reason for the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows according to executive producer Marc-Alexis Cote?
Answer: (c) To refine and enhance the gaming experience
4. What lesson did Ubisoft learn from the release of Star Wars Outlaws?
Answer: (b) Additional time for polishing is necessary
5. In which setting will Assassin’s Creed Shadows take place?
Answer: (a) Japan
6. What impact did the disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws have on Ubisoft’s stock prices?
Answer: (d) They plummeted to a decade-low
7. How did Ubisoft respond to fans who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Answer: (b) Offered refunds and a free expansion for new pre-orders
8. What is Ubisoft’s main focus in delaying the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Answer: (c) Delivering a polished and engaging gaming experience
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. Assassin’s Creed Shadows release date has been brought forward to February 14, 2025. (Answer: False)
2. The delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows has impacted Ubisoft’s stock prices, which dropped to a decade-low. (Answer: True)
3. Fans who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed Shadows are assured of refunds and those who place new pre-orders for the revised launch date will receive a free expansion. (Answer: True)
4. Ubisoft revealed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is “feature incomplete” but needs additional time for development. (Answer: False)
5. Despite the setback, Ubisoft remains committed to creating enjoyable games for players and delivering a polished gaming experience. (Answer: True)
6. Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not be set in Japan, marking the series’ first venture into this location. (Answer: False)
7. Executive producer Marc-Alexis Cote stated that the delay is unnecessary to refine and enhance the gaming experience. (Answer: False)
8. The delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is due to the underwhelming performance of Star Wars Outlaws and concerns about Ubisoft’s management. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
