BBC Newsbeat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The makers of Assassin’s Creed Shadows – the forthcoming entry in one of video gaming’s biggest franchises – have confirmed footage leaked online is real.<\/p>\n Some players managed to get their hands on the game – due to be released on 20 March – ahead of its official release.<\/p>\n Developer Ubisoft said gameplay videos shared online “did not represent the final quality of the game”.<\/p>\n In a statement posted online, the company said it was “still working on patches” and urged fans not to share spoilers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Shadows will be the first Assassin’s Creed instalment set in Japan – something fans have long been asking for.<\/p>\n The new release, seen by many as a make-or-break title for the French gaming giant, has already been delayed twice<\/a>.<\/p>\n Early authorised previews of the game have been positive, and its developers have insisted they pushed back its release to polish certain features. <\/p>\n It was previously due to come out for PC, PlayStation and Xbox on 14 February. <\/p>\n Reports suggest that leaked footage came from physical copies of the game, and it is possible that copies had been printed on to discs to meet this date.<\/p>\n Modern games frequently receive downloadable release-date updates to address any issues that are discovered after physical versions have been produced.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Set in 16th Century Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows features two playable protagonists.<\/p>\n They are Naoe \u2013 a female ninja \u2013 and Yasuke \u2013 who’s based on a real-life figure often referred to as “the African samurai”.<\/p>\n Shadows’ developers have defended the inclusion of Yasuke against critics who argued that a native Japanese character would have been preferable.<\/p>\n Opponents have accused those complaining of racism, pointing out that they have not taken issue with depictions of the character in other video game franchises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ubisoft is one of the biggest gaming companies in the world, employing more than 18,000 people in multiple international offices.<\/p>\n Last year was seen as a tough 12 months for the publisher, after a disappointing launch of its major release, Star Wars Outlaws.<\/p>\n Its other 2024 titles, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and pirate-themed online game Skull & Bones, were also reported to have fallen below the company’s expectations.<\/p>\n Ubisoft also discontinued online shooter XDefiant and closed three of its studios.<\/p>\n CEO Yves Guillemot has said Ubisoft is “taking decisive steps” to reshape the company and “drive significant cost reductions”.<\/p>\n It is thought to be seeking a buyer and has already made layoffs this year, including the closure of its office in Leamington Spa, England<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Ubisoft](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/e7c6\/live\/14f11330-f363-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg.webp\")
Ubisoft<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\")
![\"Ubisoft](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/4201\/live\/1c08def0-f363-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.jpg.webp\")
Ubisoft<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/5a8b\/live\/3111c480-f361-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg.webp\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n