Europe 2025 sales headline

Europe shows Assassin's Creed Shadows as the year’s best-selling new release while Monster Hunter Wilds leads globally.

Assassin's Creed Shadows tops Europe 2025 sales beating Monster Hunter Wilds

Europe’s charts company GSD lists Assassin’s Creed Shadows as the region’s best-selling new release of 2025. The title launched in March, a month after Monster Hunter Wilds, which remains the global leader with sales surpassing 10 million after a February release. Ubisoft has not published exact Shadows sales, but the company has said the game has reached more than five million players.

Beyond Shadows, EA Sports FC 25 remains the top-selling title overall in Europe, a reminder that the market often favors established franchises and late-year momentum. The data also reflect a market shift toward older hits still drawing buyers, and a rise in digital purchases driven by price increases. GSD notes that Europe’s spending on consoles and PC fell more than 2% while unit sales declined about 9%; digital spending rose around 8% and physical sales dropped roughly 16% as players migrate to digital formats. The Yasuke controversy around Shadows triggered online backlash and staff-protection measures from Ubisoft, yet demand for the game persisted and the region’s market remains driven by familiar brands.

Europe’s numbers highlight a familiar pattern: a strong year for a 2024 or earlier title can coexist with fresh launches. Shadows’ European prominence shows how brand strength and targeted marketing can keep a game alive across a calendar year. It also exposes the tension publishers face between managing social backlash and sustaining sales, a challenge Ubisoft addressed while continuing to push its newest Assassin’s Creed entry. The trend toward digital spending and higher prices signals a longer-term shift in how Europeans buy games, challenging physical retailers and forcing publishers to rethink distribution and pricing. The overall market volatility—price, public reaction, and the performance of long-running franchises—will shape strategy for 2026 and beyond.

Highlights

Market signals point to continued price-driven shifts and brand loyalty shaping future releases.