Ubisoft, the French video game powerhouse, has confirmed a remake of the cherished pirate odyssey Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, a standout entry in the long-running franchise. Reports gathered by Portal, drawing on Kotaku reporting and internal studio sources, indicate that the project is actively underway and moving through early stages of planning.
The earliest particulars point to a revival of the 2013 original, which originally hit PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, now in the nascent phases of development. Insiders suggest a multi-year timeline before release, with the remake targeting PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S hardware. The objective appears to be a modernized revival that harnesses current hardware capabilities to deliver sharper visuals, quicker loading, and smoother performance across modern platforms while preserving the core spirit of the original voyage.
Ubisoft Singapore, a key studio that contributed to the original game, is anticipated to play an active role in shaping the remake’s direction. A company spokesperson declined to discuss specifics beyond confirming ongoing projects across the publisher’s studios. The involvement of this studio signals a careful recreation of the game’s nautical ambience and combat systems, while exploring opportunities for contemporary enhancements that could elevate the experience for today’s players.
Questions linger about the remake’s scope. Some reporting points to a faithful, traditional remake that sticks to the original gameplay loop, while others hint at a broader vision that could introduce a more expansive, open-world design with RPG elements reminiscent of Assassin’s Creed Origins and Odyssey. The exact path may hinge on player expectations and evolving standards for action-adventure titles on current-generation consoles, guiding decisions on exploration, progression systems, and improvisational ship-to-ship combat.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft is juggling plans for another pirate-themed project, Skull and Bones, which has endured a lengthy development journey. Reports suggest the game has been in active development since 2017, yet the team remains uncertain about a firm release date. Delays and shifting milestones have marked its course, leaving fans awaiting a clearer timetable and a deeper look at how multiplayer maritime warfare will evolve on new hardware and networks.
Looking ahead, it was also revealed that a new Assassin’s Creed episode is on Ubisoft’s radar. Current information indicates this upcoming release may not be accessible to Steam users, pointing to platform-specific distribution decisions that could influence PC availability and timing for certain regions and players who rely on particular storefront ecosystems.
Industry observers note that pairing a Black Flag remake with ongoing Skull and Bones development underscores Ubisoft’s continued commitment to its pirate-themed catalog. The remake could provide a fresh entry point that reintroduces a classic story with contemporary gameplay refinements, while Skull and Bones remains a separate, long-running experiment in multiplayer maritime action. In both cases, the studios seem to balance nostalgia with innovation, aiming to deliver experiences that resonate with longtime fans and new players on modern hardware while supporting cross-generation compatibility and smooth online play.
As the information landscape around these projects evolves, fans are encouraged to stay tuned for official updates from Ubisoft. The company has a track record of revisiting beloved entries with careful attention to detail, and the Black Flag remake could mark a pivotal moment in the franchise’s ongoing evolution, potentially redefining how classic narratives translate to today’s technology and living online worlds. Attribution: Portal via Kotaku, with sources inside Ubisoft studios.