Ubisoft Makes Assassin’s Creed Shadows Free on PC and Xbox

Subscription trials keep getting more aggressive across the industry, and Ubisoft is joining the push: starting June 18, PC and Xbox players can access Assassin’s Creed Shadows for free through a limited-time Ubisoft+ Premium offer.

Ubisoft+ Premium free trial: dates, what you get, and who can play

Ubisoft has launched a limited-time promotion for its Ubisoft+ Premium subscription that removes the cost for participating players. The trial begins on June 18 at 06:00 AM PDT and runs until June 23 at 06:00 AM PDT.

During that window, PC and Xbox users can play Assassin’s Creed Shadows and its expansion, Claws of Awaji, without paying. The offer is tied to Ubisoft+ Premium availability, which—per Ubisoft’s details—covers PC and Xbox only. PlayStation users are therefore not included in this promotion.

Ubisoft+ Premium is typically priced at $17.99 per month. The service is described as a curated alternative to Xbox Game Pass, with a library spanning more than 145 games across PC and Xbox and new titles added regularly. It also includes day-one access to Ubisoft’s first-party releases, plus additional perks such as DLC access at no extra cost and various in-game rewards—though the headline benefit here is the temporary access to the game catalog, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

More than one game: the broader Ubisoft+ lineup during the trial

Assassin’s Creed Shadows won’t be the only AAA Ubisoft title highlighted. Ubisoft’s announcement says that from June 18 to June 23, Ubisoft+ Premium trial users will have free access to a range of games beyond the Assassin’s Creed entry.

The listed examples include Rainbow Six Siege, The Division 2, Far Cry 6, Anno 117: Pax Romana, Star Wars Outlaws, For Honor, and additional titles.

To see the full promotion details and sign up, Ubisoft directs players to check Ubisoft Store, Ubisoft Connect, or Blacknut on June 18. Ubisoft+ Premium trial eligibility is therefore less about a separate code and more about getting the subscription active during the promotional period.

Trial logistics and what happens after June 23

While the trial itself is free, Ubisoft’s terms still require participants to provide payment information. The key point is that you won’t be charged during the free period—but you do need to manage renewal.

Ubisoft states that if you do not cancel before the trial ends (June 23 at 6:00 AM PDT), your subscription will automatically renew and Ubisoft can charge the payment method provided at checkout. The standard monthly fee cited is $17.99.

For players weighing whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows is worth purchasing, the source points to player estimates from HowLongToBeat: the main story takes roughly 35 hours to complete. Six days may be enough for some players to reach the campaign’s main arc, but it may not be a full finish for everyone.

If you do enjoy the trial and want to keep playing, you can continue with Ubisoft+ Premium after it ends, which would preserve access to the service’s growing library, including day-one releases mentioned in Ubisoft’s promotional materials.

Key points

• Ubisoft+ Premium free trial runs June 18 (06:00 AM PDT) to June 23 (06:00 AM PDT).
• PC and Xbox players can play Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Claws of Awaji for free during the trial.
• PlayStation users can’t benefit because Ubisoft+ Premium is available on PC and Xbox only.
• Payment details are required; cancel before June 23 to avoid the $17.99 monthly renewal.

Confirmed promotion details

Expert View

Ubisoft’s move signals a continued shift toward platform-specific subscription incentives: by tying the offer to Ubisoft+ Premium’s PC/Xbox footprint, the publisher can drive short-term engagement while keeping the PlayStation audience outside the promotion. For the Assassin’s Creed franchise, the timing also matters—paired with reported strong sales momentum and an active roadmap, a free trial can convert curious players into subscribers and buyers, especially since the service bundles both day-one access and DLC. In a crowded subscription landscape, these limited windows often function as community catalysts: even players who don’t finish the main story in time can still use the trial to validate whether the game’s long-form content matches their expectations before committing at full price.