Assassin's Creed Hexe: loss of key developers and changed gameplay

Development on the promising title Assassin's Creed Hexe appears to be hitting rough waters, with the team facing the departure of key leaders and a shift in creative direction. This article looks at the latest developments around the game, including changes to the team and major revelations that could shape the project.

Key departures from the development team

In a short span of time, two crucial members of the development team have announced their departures. Benoit Richer, the game director of Assassin's Creed Hexe, left Ubisoft on April 26, 2026. His exit followed shortly after that of Clint Hocking, the creative director, who left in February of that year. That brings the total to two directors gone within the year, a significant blow for a project that was already proving difficult to develop. Richer has said he will join the new indie studio Servo Games, which is being led by a lineup of other Ubisoft veterans.

Staff moves and budget adjustments

Alongside the departing directors, reports say Ubisoft has moved around 50 employees from Assassin's Creed Hexe to an inter-project team. This team was set up to make sure those employees find new work within three months, or risk being laid off. That points to a reduced budget for the project and suggests the studio may have more confidence in other upcoming titles.

Gameplay changes

There are also rumors that the game will change significantly following Richer and Hocking's departures. Information suggests that Richer and the team under Hocking were planning to remove all magical elements from Hexe's gameplay. That means earlier ideas, such as the ability to possess a cat, have been cut. Jean Guesdon is now the project's creative director and appears to be aiming for a more traditional approach to gameplay. These changes could push the franchise back toward its roots, which fans are watching with plenty of curiosity.

Expected release date

While there is no official release date, Assassin's Creed Hexe is not expected to arrive before late 2027. That points to a lengthy development cycle, with the studio likely factoring in public feedback and internal decisions around budget and gameplay changes.

Conclusion

With the recent challenges facing Assassin's Creed Hexe, including the loss of key developers and major design changes, the road to a 2027 release looks long. These new directions could reshape the franchise once again, but it's still too early to say how all the changes will affect the final experience for players. Fans will have to wait for Ubisoft to share more information about this in-development title.

For now, players are advised to keep an eye on sales for remakes like Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which is set to release on July 9, 2026 across multiple platforms.