Following several acquisitions in 2022, theories have been circulating about potential buyers for a number of different studios. What seems like a heated war between Sony and Microsoft has been avoided by Nintendo, but with the likes of Bungie, Activision Blizzard, Housemarque, and a handful of Square Enix developers finding new ownership, it's only fitting that others would be coming. Assassin's Creed could be next.
One of the few huge third-party companies that has yet to be acquired is Ubisoft, a publisher responsible for Splinter Cell, Just Dance, Watch_Dogs, Far Cry, and more. Its lineup of games is massive, with multiple AAA projects releasing on an annual basis. The jewel atop Ubisoft's crown is undoubtedly Assassin's Creed, as its humble beginnings in 2007 have evolved into one of the most anticipated regular releases of any given calendar year. Should the Paris-based developer be purchased by another entity, it could be a blessing or a curse for the Assassin's Creed franchise.
Helping the Assassin's Cause
Assassin's Creed is in a constant state of evolution. From locations and time periods to protagonists, the series rarely continues along the same path in new entries. Though many of these changes are welcome, an acquisition from a larger company could steady the ship and provide consistency in storytelling, presentation, and hopefully sales. Existing characters in the Assassin's Creed mythos are often neglected after a game is over, with many people like Bayek, Connor, and Arno not given much closure.
With a Prince of Persia remake on the horizon and Assassin's Creed being far more prominent over the last decade, there's every chance the series takes a backseat to newer Ubisoft projects. Sales are strong as ever, but with the volume of games that have come from Ubisoft in recent years, Assassin's Creed never feels particularly fresh and exciting. New ownership could revitalize the franchise and show that it still has more to give in an ever-changing industry. The IP has untapped potential, and unlocking it could be the source of Ubisoft's future success. A larger company acquiring the studio could provoke that significant and positive change.
Acquisition Could be an Issue for Assassin's Creed
Though one of the series' biggest complaints is that it lacks consistency, this can be a strength. Each Assassin's Creed has familiar features like a historical setting and a huge emphasis on stealth gameplay, but one of the best things about the wait is theorizing how Ubisoft will refine the formula. The company obviously cares about critical and commercial success, but Ubisoft also holds innovation in high regard with Assassin's Creed. Ubisoft can do what it likes with the franchise, and while this could be a drawback, it allows more creativity and freedom.
Ubisoft is a favorite to be purchased in the near future, but there's no telling where it could end up. If it finds a new home with Sony or Xbox, it could result in some kind of exclusivity. Assassin's Creed has a large audience on a number of platforms, and though this purchase could bring stability, it would also likely see a hit in sales. Assassin's Creed is popular because of its quality and availability, so isolating it to just one system would damage an essential pillar of its success.
As more AAA franchises are being bought up, Assassin's Creed has remained unchanged. It's one of the biggest properties that is still owned by its developer, and though it may just be a matter of time before it falls under the Sony or Microsoft banner, the freedom that individuality brings can wield mixed results. Nobod knows what's next for Assassin's Creed, but it's certainly too big of a series to fail.
Assassin’s Creed Rift is reportedly in development.