Surprise, surprise. Skull and Bones isn't coming out at some point early next year, as promised. As has been the case for years, Skull and Ubisoft is delaying Skull and Bones again, alongside an unnamed big game.
To delay the release of Skull and Bones may initially strike fans as disappointing. Initially announced with a compelling cinematic trailer at E3 2017, the pirate-adventure game was initially slated for a fall 2018 release. Years later, we're still waiting for the game to dock and make port. This incessant deferral might seem baffling, but a closer analysis of Ubisoft's strategic moves suggests that the delay could be an astute maneuver on their part.
To understand the rationale behind the delay, one must first recognize the checkered history of Skull and Bones and its development. Beginning in 2013, this project has witnessed internal reboots, leadership shifts, and multiple changes in vision. Such transitions are rarely without implications, leading to reshuffling of development priorities and alterations in the game's direction. Add to this the competitive nature of the gaming industry and the looming expectations that's partly because of Ubisoft's reputation, particularly following the success of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, and one can appreciate the pressure to perfect this product before its release.