Assassin's Creed Hexe Dev Team Overhauls Witchcraft Theme for 'More Grounded' Approach

While the Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake has captivated fans recently, the franchise's next mainline entry is reportedly facing significant behind-the-scenes turmoil at Ubisoft.

Assassin's Creed: Codename Hexe, set for release next year, is undergoing a major overhaul, according to a report by Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson. The title, which was initially expected to center on witch trials in the Holy Roman Empire, is now shifting its focus to a more science-based narrative.

Key Changes to the Witchcraft Theme

Ubisoft's new franchise overseer, Jean Guesdon, is leading the changes. To make the game's themes "more grounded," the development team has removed a cat companion character and replaced witch-like powers with a protagonist who understands the science of chemicals. For example, the protagonist will know how to make a smoke bomb, which may appear as a magical disappearance to ordinary citizens.

"She's basically a magician, I guess? Not very witchy."

The shift away from witchcraft has left some fans disappointed, especially given the franchise's history of fantastical elements like the Animus and the Apple of Eden.

Development Shake-Up and Potential Delays

In addition to the thematic changes, Guesdon has reassigned 50 developers from the Hexe project to an "interproject team." According to unnamed sources cited by Henderson, members of this team must secure a new project at Ubisoft within three months or face potential redundancy.

The next mainline Assassin's Creed game after Black Flag: Resynced was originally scheduled for June 2027. However, Henderson suggests that the recent development changes could push the release date to the holiday season of 2025 instead.

Fan Reactions and Franchise Concerns

Some long-time fans of the series have expressed disappointment over the shift away from witchcraft, a theme that initially generated excitement. The changes reflect Ubisoft's ongoing efforts to redefine the franchise's direction under new leadership.