Ubisoft Bordeaux, previously known for its support role in major Ubisoft titles, is now taking a significant leap forward within the Assassin’s Creed franchise. After successfully helming the development of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, a title that harkened back to the series’ roots and was met with open arms (and open eyes) by critics, the studio is embarking on a new chapter in the Assassin’s Creed saga. The latest development marks a pivotal shift for Ubisoft Bordeaux as it establishes itself as one of the lead developers of Ubisoft’s best-selling franchise.
The appointment of Rik Godwin, a relatively new but talented writer in the gaming industry, as the lead writer at Ubisoft Bordeaux, is central to this transition. Godwin’s previous work includes titles such as Harmony: The Fall of Reverie and Under the Waves, known for their strong narrative focus. His expertise in crafting immersive as well as character-driven stories aligns perfectly with the narrative-rich environment of Assassin’s Creed. Godwin’s role at Ubisoft Bordeaux will involve steering the storytelling aspect of the new project, a task that seems well suited to his skill set, especially in the context of the Assassin’s Creed universe, which, despite all the memes, is still famed for its deep and intricate narratives spanning various historical periods.
The direction Ubisoft Bordeaux will take with this new Assassin’s Creed project remains under wraps. However, given the success of Mirage and its return to the series’ original gameplay and storytelling style, Ubisoft Bordeaux might continue in this vein. There’s also the possibility of exploring new narrative structures or gameplay elements since the franchise allows so much creative freedom. The studio’s recent success and Ubisoft’s confidence in their capabilities suggest that whatever direction they take, it will likely be a fresh and exciting addition to the Assassin’s Creed universe.
As it's the end of my first official week on the job:
I am ridiculously delighted to announce I am now Lead Writer at Ubisoft Bordeaux, working on the Assassin's Creed franchise! pic.twitter.com/F2b2l6nqsk
— Rik Godwin (@Tafdolphin) November 24, 2023
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise isn’t short of upcoming titles, with projects such as Codename Red and Codename Hexe as well as Codename Jade, Invictus, and Assassin’s Creed Infinity already in the pipeline. Ubisoft Bordeaux’s entry into this lineup with its project under Godwin’s narrative direction is an intriguing prospect.
When you combine the studio’s success with Mirage with Godwin’s narrative expertise, expectations are high for a game that will continue the tradition of the Assassin’s Creed series in delivering rich, historical narratives blended with engaging gameplay.
Ubisoft Bordeaux’s move into a more prominent role in the Assassin’s Creed series reflects a broader strategy within the company to diversify and deepen its development capabilities. This project is an opportunity for Ubisoft Bordeaux to be a mainstay and create expansive stories from the ground-up instead of being tasked to create a new game based on the idea for a premium DLC. It’s also a chance to contribute significantly to one of the most beloved and successful franchises in gaming history.
With Godwin at the narrative helm, the studio is poised to deliver an Assassin’s Creed experience that could potentially resonate with fans and critics alike, continuing the series’ legacy of immersive storytelling and innovative gameplay.
As Ubisoft continues to evolve and expand the Assassin’s Creed universe, Ubisoft Bordeaux’s contribution will be keenly watched by fans eager to see where the franchise goes next.
Speaking of Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft recently found itself in hot water for “accidentally” implementing a change that’s allowing pop-up ads when playing single-player games. Finally, a new update is coming to Mirage next month.
