'Assassin's Creed' hits shelves; Europe games industry on edge
The Hindu
“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” marks a make-or-break moment for the entire European gaming ecosystem.
Thursday's release of action-adventure epic "Assassin's Creed Shadows" marks a make-or-break moment not just for struggling French games heavyweight Ubisoft, but for the entire European gaming ecosystem.
With its almost 18,000 employees and global footprint, Ubisoft has nevertheless suffered one setback after another in recent years with disappointing releases, a dwindling stock price, harassment allegations against former bosses and repeated strikes.
The company is falling back on its longtime major money-spinner "Assassin's Creed" to pull it from the doldrums, this time with an episode set in medieval Japan.
"I've never seen things this way" as the whole European industry looks to Ubisoft, Midcap Partners analyst Charles-Louis Planade told AFP ahead of the launch.
More than 17 Ubisoft studios employing hundreds have poured five years of work into "Shadows", with an estimated budget running into hundreds of millions of euros.
Early reviews have been positive, with the game receiving a "generally favourable" score of 81/100 on review aggregation site Metacritic.
That was one point higher than "Valhalla", the 2020 release that has so far been the high point of the series' profitability.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Response reveals majority of revolutionaries at Andaman Cellular Jail were from Bengal, sparking debate on national monument status.
The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on March 28, 2025
Restoration of 128-year-old red brick heritage building in Cuddalore, once Collector's office, planned by PWD at ₹16.2 crore.
Trinamool Congress announces British Airways to start biweekly direct flights between Kolkata and UK, following CM's request.
BJP stages 'Halla Bol' rally in Shimla against Congress government's alleged 'mafia raj' in Himachal Pradesh.
Stricter regulations on construction sites in Chennai to crackdown on dust, debris, and safety hazards, with penalties for non-compliance.
Sankara Nethralaya honors S. Ramadorai with Sankara Ratna Award 2024 for transformative contributions to nation-building, especially in IT sector.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defends Centre's funding to Kerala, blames fiscal crisis on state governments' reckless policies.
White House withdraws Elise Stefanik's UN ambassador nomination due to concerns over Republican House margins, Trump's decision confirmed.
The Minister’s statement came after Mohanlal’s offering at the Sabarimala temple for the well-being of Mr. Mammootty during his pilgrimage to the hill shrine on March 19 sparked a row. After the offering receipt was leaked and went viral, a section of the people with extreme religious views stated that Mr. Mammootty is a Muslim and that he should apologise if he had asked Mr. Mohanlal to offer prayers at the hill shrine on his behalf.
E. Sundaravalli, Commissioner of Collegiate Education and Chairperson of Convenor Committee, speaking at the Academic Council meeting of Madurai Kamaraj University on Thursday.
Opposition MPs raise the Trump tariffs issue during a discussion on the Appropriation and Finance Bills.
Lieutenant Governor hosts Iftar party promoting unity and brotherhood with Chief Minister and city's Muslim community.