Assassin's Creed Hexe: recent developments and changes

The delayed release of Assassin's Creed Hexe has sparked plenty of speculation in recent months, especially after several key figures left the development team at Ubisoft. The game, first announced in September 2022, is now expected in late summer 2027, but appears to be undergoing significant changes during development.

Loss of key figures

Over the past few months, Assassin's Creed Hexe has seen its team shrink twice. Clint Hocking, the project’s creative director, stepped down at the end of February 2026. Two months later, on April 25, 2026, game director Benoit Richer also left the project, saying he was founding an indie studio together with other experienced industry professionals. At Ubisoft, Richer had played a major role, including as game director on Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and his earlier gaming career also included work on Batman: Arkham Origins.

With these two prominent departures, Jean Guesdon has been brought back into a leadership role to oversee the franchise’s creative direction. Guesdon has previously proven to be a key figure in the development of popular titles such as Assassin's Creed Black Flag and Assassin's Creed Origins.

Shifting vision and gameplay elements

With Hocking and Richer gone, the vision for Hexe appears to be shifting. Rumors have recently surfaced that the game may be losing some of its supernatural elements, which would mark a major change from earlier expectations. According to a reliable leaker who wished to remain anonymous, key mystical gameplay features, such as the ability for protagonist Elsa to possess a cat, have reportedly been cut in favor of a stronger focus on stealth gameplay and a more grounded approach to the story.

Alongside traditional stealth gameplay, horror elements remain central, inspired by the 16th-century European witch trials. This gives the game a dark and tense tone, promising players a unique experience within a franchise that usually leans more heavily on historical authenticity.

Timeline follow-up

Future expectations

Despite the loss of important team members and the shift in creative vision, interest in Assassin's Creed Hexe remains high. Guesdon’s return could bring stability and a renewed focus on the franchise’s core values, hopefully resulting in a promising release. Whether these changes will actually move up the launch date remains unclear. For now, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced appears to be Ubisoft’s focus for 2026.

Fans of the franchise remain excited about Assassin's Creed Hexe and are looking forward to more information as the release date draws closer.