Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally set to release on March 20 after a tumultuous development.

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The game faced multiple delays and criticism in Japan in the months leading up to its official launch. Now, as March 20 approaches, it will be available worldwide on PC, Xbox, and PS5, though at different times depending on the region.

While the official release date is March 20, some players will get access a day earlier, on March 19, due to Ubisoft’s release schedule. However, for most players, the game will be available on March 20.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Assassin’s Creed Shadows release times.

AC Shadows exact release time and date by region

I highly recommend not skimming over the table below. The times vary significantly depending on the country and platform. Whether you’re playing on consoles, Steam, or Ubisoft Connect, the difference in access times can be several hours. So, pay close attention to the details and check the city closest to your location if yours isn’t listed, along with the exact platform you’re using.

Here are all the official Assassin’s Creed Shadows release dates and times by region and platform.

Swipe or scroll horizontally to see the full table.

CityPC Ubi Connect release timeSteam release timeConsoles release timeLondonMarch 19, 10 p.m GMTMarch 20, 4 a.m GMTMarch 20, 12 a.m GMTMontrealMarch 20, 12 a.m EDTMarch 20, 12 a.m EDTMarch 20, 12 a.m EDTWarsawMarch 19, 11 p.m CETMarch 20, 5 a.m CETMarch 20, 12 a.m CETLos AngelesMarch 19, 9 p.m PDTMarch 19, 9 p.m PDTMarch 20, 12 a.m PDTNew YorkMarch 20, 12 a.m EDTMarch 20, 12 a.m EDTMarch 20, 12 a.m EDTParisMarch 19, 11 p.m CETMarch 20, 5 a.m CETMarch 20, 12 a.m CETAbu DhabiMarch 20, 3 a.m GSTMarch 20, 8 a.m GSTMarch 20, 12 a.m GSTJohannesburgMarch 20, 12 a.m SASTMarch 20, 6 a.m SASTMarch 20, 12 a.m SASTSão PauloMarch 20, 12 a.m BRTMarch 20, 1 a.m BRTMarch 20, 12 a.m BRTMexicoMarch 19, 10 p.m CSTMarch 19, 10 p.m CSTMarch 20, 12 a.m CSTShanghaiMarch 19, 8 p.m CSTMarch 20, 3 a.m CSTMarch 20, 12 a.m CSTSeoulMarch 19, 9 p.m KSTMarch 20, 3 a.m KSTMarch 20, 12 a.m KSTTokyoMarch 19, 9 p.m JSTMarch 20, 3 a.m JSTMarch 20, 12 a.m JSTSydneyMarch 19, 11 p.m AEDTMarch 20, 3 p.m AEDTMarch 20, 12 a.m AEDT

AC Shadows official pre-load times

Here are all the official Assassin’s Creed Shadows pre-load times. Swipe or scroll horizontally to see the full table.

CityXbox Series X|S pre-load timePS5 pre-load timePC pre-load timeLondonMarch 04, 02 p.m GMTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 04 p.m GMTMontrealMarch 04, 09 a.m ESTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 11 a.m ESTWarsawMarch 04, 03 p.m CETMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 05 p.m CETLos AngelesMarch 04, 06 a.m PSTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 08 a.m PSTNew YorkMarch 04, 09 a.m ESTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 11 a.m ESTParisMarch 04, 03 p.m CETMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 05 p.m CETAbu DhabiMarch 04, 06 p.m GSTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 08 p.m GSTJohannesburgMarch 04, 04 p.m SASTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 06 p.m SASTSão PauloMarch 04, 11 a.m BRTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 01 p.m BRTMexicoMarch 04, 08 a.m CSTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 17, 10 a.m CSTShanghaiMarch 04, 10 p.m CSTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 18, 12 a.m CSTSeoulMarch 04, 11 p.m KSTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 18, 01 a.m KSTTokyoMarch 04, 11 p.m JSTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 18, 01 a.m JSTSydneyMarch 05, 01 a.m AEDTMarch 18, 12 a.m Local TimeMarch 18, 03 a.m AEDT

To preload AC Shadows, you must have purchased it before release. Preloading allows you to download the game files ahead of time so that everything is ready once the game officially launches.

However, if you try to launch the game before it’s available, you’ll likely run into an issue. You might not be able to click “Play,” or you may get an error screen saying the game isn’t available yet, the servers are offline, or something similar. This is normal, and it just means you have to wait for the official release time. If you buy the game after release, you’ll simply download it and be able to play right away.

To start preloading, check if your platform has automatic preloads enabled. If not, go to your platform’s store when preload time arrives and manually download the game.

Ubisoft may also push an update before launch, especially if there’s a Day 1 patch. While this hasn’t been confirmed for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it’s common for major releases. Don’t be surprised if you need to download extra files a few hours or days before the game officially goes live.

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