A veritable pirate’s fantasy, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag’s maritime adventures have long been etched into the hearts of all of the fans of the franchise. And, while the same game can be enjoyed on modern platforms at the moment, sources claim that Ubisoft Singapore, or at least a handful of individuals from the said studio, are working on remaking the 2013 title.
- Ubisoft is reportedly working on a remake of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag.
- The remake will feature improved graphics and gameplay.
- Black Flag is considered one of the best games in the AC series.
- The release date of this unconfirmed remake is yet to be announced.
The story, which first emerged on Kotaku and was later corroborated by Tom Henderson, claims that the remake is still in its very early stages, which means that completion isn’t expected until, at least, a couple of years.
It’s worth noting that Ubisoft Singapore is the same studio responsible for the franchise’s maritime mechanics and work on Skull & Bones.
The extent to which the remake will incorporate the expansive open-world RPG aspects of the newer Assassin’s Creed games like Odyssey and Valhalla remains unclear. But, given Black Flag’s focus on naval warfare, Ubisoft could revamp the remake o make it more dramatic and immersive, which explains why the report states that it’s a remake not just a remaster.
Unfortunately, this isn’t good news for Ubisoft’s beleaguered live-service pirate game, Skull and Bones, which is originally an off-shoot of Black Flag. It’s ironic then that the developers are already talking about making Skull and Bones more like Black Flag, complete with co-op exploration and hand-to-hand combat elements when it was based on it in the first place.
The ambitious project was initially slated for release last November before it was pushed back to this March and delayed indefinitely to a later date. As of now, Ubisoft is hosting a closed beta period for “Skull and Bones” from August 25-28, causing considerable strain and overwork on the development team at Ubisoft Singapore.
The decision to remake Black Flag raises intriguing questions about Ubisoft’s overall strategy. While this could be seen as a testament to the company’s dedication to its flagship franchises, it’s not without controversy. Some critics argue that such remakes may signal a creative drought in the AAA games industry, with developers recycling existing content rather than innovating with new experiences.
Not to mention, with Singapore’s government backing the development of Skull and Bones financially, it’s starting to look like Ubisoft is remaking Black Flag in an attempt to save face while preparing for the inevitable disaster that is their pirate sim.
For what it’s worth, Ubisoft has doubled down on its most successful franchises in recent months, hiring more people than ever to work on Assassin’s Creed.
With the remake, Ubisoft is not only capitalizing on this affection but also hoping to deliver an experience that feels both fresh and familiar to its dedicated fan base.
Looking ahead, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has a busy schedule. This year’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage is just one of the six upcoming games revealed in a Ubisoft product showcase. Future entries into the franchise include the codenamed Red set in feudal Japan and Hexe, focusing on witch trials during the late Holy Roman Empire. Ubisoft is also collaborating with the streaming platform, Netflix, for a mobile series entry. Finally, a VR experience is also in the works alongside a mobile title codenamed Jade.
Ultimately, Ubisoft needs to find a way to balance its reverence for the past with a commitment to the creation of new and innovative experiences.
How this balance will play out—and what it means for both Black Flag and the wider Assassin’s Creed universe—will be a story to watch in the coming years.
