According to a new report by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Ubisoft plans to release a smaller Assassin’s Creed game featuring popular Valhalla character Basim Ibn Ishaq. Code-named Rift, the unannounced title was originally conceived as a Valhalla expansion but was later turned into a standalone game. Unlike recent entries, it won’t be a massive open-world title and will instead focus more on stealth like the original Assassin’s Creed games. Schreier’s report was backed up by Eurogamer, who claims to have heard that Ubisoft was planning to set Rift in Baghdad, Iraq, but those plans could have changed during the course of development.
When will Assassin’s Creed Rift release?
Schreier claims that Ubisoft plans to release Rift sometime later this year or in 2023. The developer is reportedly struggling with game development and has a thin release schedule, with Rift being used as a filler before the ambitious online service game Infinity releases. Over the last two years, Ubisoft faced intense scrutiny after allegations of widespread workplace misconduct emerged, which resulted in numerous developers calling it quits or being fired. Multiple Assassin’s Creed expansions have reportedly been “shaken up” or canned, Skull & Bones is nowhere close to release, and Beyond Good & Evil 2 is in development hell of its own.
NEW: Ubisoft turned an Assassin’s Creed Valhalla expansion into a standalone game that will be out before AC Infinity, sources say. Focused on stealth, code-named Rift, stars Basim. Ubisoft’s lineup has struggled due to scandal, attrition, and big delays https://t.co/qFTRsrRWy6
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) February 9, 2022
Opinion: If Rift is anything like the original AC games, it’s most welcome
Zarmena writes… A smaller, stealth-focused Assassin’s Creed game that doesn’t require getting lost in a massive open world and take hundreds of hours of your time? Yes, please! As a huge fan of the original AC games, I like the sound of Rift. Basim is a compelling character and the rumored setting of Baghdad sounds intriguing. I have always longed for an AC 1 remaster with trophies, but Basim will do in place of Altair.
In other news, Microsoft now says Activision Blizzard games will release on PlayStation beyond existing agreements, and Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is coming soon to PS5 and PS4.
