Reports earlier this year claimed Ubisoft were planning to release a smaller-scale, stealth-focussed Assassin’s Creed game in late-2022 or early-2023. But now Bloomberg are reporting that the next Assassin’s Creed has been delayed.
The unannounced game, reportedly titled Assassin’s Creed Rift, will now come out more than two years after the release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
The series, which began with 2007’s Assassin’s Creed, was known for its yearly releases until the launch of Assassin’s Creed Origins in 2017.
Beginning with Origins, the series switched from stealth action to the RPG genre and changed to a bi-yearly release schedule.
We are nearly two years removed from the release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. But it’s now looking like there will be a bigger gap between games than ever before if the new report is accurate.
So, when exactly can we expect Assassin’s Creed Rift and what is it about?
Assassin’s Creed Rift – Story and Setting
Assassin’s Creed Rift is set to follow Valhalla character Basim in the Middle East.
Reports suggest the game is going to take place in Baghdad (which is in present-day Iraq). If Rift does indeed follow Basim, it will be set in the 9th century.
During that period, known as the Islamic Golden Age, Bagdhad was the world’s centre of learning. It was home to leading academics and polymaths, and was an intellectual hub of science, education, philosophy, and medicine.
The city was probably the largest in the world at the time. It contained the renowned “House of Wisdom”, a huge library with an extensive collection of translated texts.
Rumoured Aztec Setting
Conflicting reports have also suggested that Assassin’s Creed Rift will have an Aztec setting.
Since such rumours began to circulate, Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier took to Reddit to publicly denounce them as inaccurate. However, nothing is confirmed until there is an official announcement.
Next Assassin’s Creed Release Date
According to the new report, Ubisoft has moved Assassin’s Creed Rift‘s release date from late-2022/early-2023 to Spring 2023.
That puts its new release date somewhere between April and June next year.
Rift began as a DLC expansion for Valhalla but became a standalone instalment. The idea was that it would fill out Ubisoft’s thin 2022 release schedule. However, with the new delay, the game has moved into the next financial year and Ubisoft’s upcoming launch schedule remains lacklustre.
Also in the works is Assassin’s Creed Infinity which is set to be a live service game containing multiple settings that will expand over time.
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