French video game giant Ubisoft has said that gamers have managed to "access" the hotly anticipated new installment in the popular "Assassin's Creed" series. The game is scheduled for release on March 20 after repeated delays.

"We are aware that gamers have gained access to 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' ahead of its official release," the company said on social network X.

"The development team is still working on patches to prepare the experience for release, and any footage shared online does not represent the final quality of the game," the company added, saying such leaks are "unfortunate".

"We kindly ask that you do not spoil the experience for others," the message added.

The new installment was originally scheduled for release on November 15, 2024, but was pushed back to February and later to March, just before the company's fiscal year ended.

Earlier this month, Ubisoft reported that its revenue fell in the third quarter of 2024, hit by a string of new release failures and the delay of "Assassin's Creed Shadows," which is set in medieval Japan. | BGNES