As for those developers, they’re apparently now part of an Interproject team, which consists of developers who must find a new project within three months or get laid off. What did Ubisoft have to say about all this? Speaking to IGN, a spokesperson said, “Mobility across teams is a standard part of how we operate.

“As project priorities change, team members may transition from one project to another where their expertise is needed, helping us stay flexible and responsive as work evolves.”

As you might have noticed, it didn’t explicitly address the reason for their departure. While it’s true that developers can transition to other projects, especially as production winds down on one and ramps up on another, Ubisoft didn’t really address the whole Interproject team part.

Of course, it’s yet to formally reveal Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe, so hearing that alleged magical elements like controlling a cat are seemingly on the back burner isn’t too shocking. Nevertheless, for a project that’s reportedly been smooth sailing before the publisher’s big reset, you have to wonder what’s really going on.

Perhaps we’ll find out when the title is officially revealed. Until then, there’s Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, which looks fantastic, on July 9th.

This followed the reported decision to cancel the Animal Crossing-like Project Alterra, but those developers haven’t been laid off. Instead, they’re reportedly on Ubisoft’s Interproject team and must be assigned another project within three months. Failing to do so means redundancy, apparently.

Why scale back so many developers, especially following reports that development on Codename Hexe is proceeding well? Apparently, it’s to prevent the budget from going overboard, and while internally targeting June 2027, the title may end up delayed to Holiday 2027 after these changes (which Henderson previously claimed as a release window).

Guesdon’s appointment to the team follows his new position as head of content on the Assassin’s Creed franchise at Vantage Studios. He would take over for the previous creative director, Clint Hocking, and after joining the team last January, game director Benoit Richer also left recently.

Whatever may be going on, Ubisoft has yet to officially showcase Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe or confirm a release date. The publisher recently revealed Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, the long-rumored remake of the 2013 classic, and announced a July 9th launch date.

But what’s been the impact on Hexe? According to YouTuber j0nathan, who’s been reliable in the past with Assassin’s Creed leaks, “Since Jean Guesdon was put in charge of the Assassin’s Creed franchise in February, he’s decided to get rid of everything that was ‘magical’ in Hexe. For example, we were supposed to control a cat, well, ultimately that’s been canceled.” He notes that this may be one reason why Richer leaves.

When asked if this would hinder development, he responded that it may actually speed things up. “From what I’ve been told, the control with the cat wasn’t quite there yet and still needed more work. Removing it allows the teams to focus their efforts on more important things. But that doesn’t change the story.” If development progresses faster, then it’s possible that cat control could return at some point. For now, however, it’s apparently not a priority.

While it’s unknown if Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe will make its alleged Holiday 2027 date, Guesdon’s impact is seemingly becoming more and more evident. For instance, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced was allegedly set to launch last month, but seemingly faced a delay after Ubisoft’s big reshuffle. Thankfully, it’s arriving on July 9th, much sooner than previous claims about a 2027 release.

As for Codename Hexe, we’re still yet to officially learn about its premise, much less any gameplay. But Guesdon said it would be “unique, darker, and narrative-driven,” perhaps more so than what Assassin’s Creed fans are used to.

Why? Richer is joining Servo Games as a game director, according to a new LinkedIn post. Calling it the “beginning of a new chapter,” he said the indie studio comprises “industry veterans, aligned around a shared vision of the industry and experience creation, with a strong complementary skill set.” More details are forthcoming, but for those looking forward to Hexe, there’s cause for concern.

Hocking left after Jean Guesdon took over as head of content for the Assassin’s Creed franchise at Vantage Studios. The latter is known for his work on several acclaimed entries, most notably as a co-director on Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag 4 (which is getting a remake this July courtesy of Ubisoft Singapore). Whether his goal didn’t align with Hocking or Richer is unknown – there certainly haven’t been any rumblings of dissent.

Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe doesn’t have an official name or release window, but it’s rumored to launch in Holiday 2027. Guesdon teased that it would be “unique, darker, and narrative-driven” compared to previous titles. Previous reports claim it to be set in 17th-century Germany during the witch trials.

Players allegedly control Elsa, a witch, who subsequently aligns with the Assassins, though her own reasons for doing so remain unknown. As always, stay tuned for more details and upcoming announcements.

Guesdon, who’s head of content on the Assassin’s Creed franchise, recently took over as creative director on the title after Clint Hocking’s departure. “While we know we haven’t shared much about this one yet, it’s being built with great care by our veteran team here at Ubisoft Montreal.” He also promised “a unique, darker, narrative-driven Assassin’s Creed experience, set during a pivotal moment in history.”

That moment could be referring to the witch trials in Germany during the early 17th century. The protagonist is allegedly Elsa, a witch who has powers like possession, but apparently meets up with the Assassins and learns their trade.

Sadly, Guesdon didn’t confirm how much of this was true – only that it would take more time before the team was ready to discuss the project. “We are taking the time to deliver on its ambitious vision, which means we’ll be quiet for a little longer, but we love seeing all the enthusiasm happening on our channels and can’t wait to unveil more when the time is right.”

Announced in 2022 alongside Assassin’s Creed Shadows (then known as Codename Red), Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe apparently isn’t going to be a massive, sprawling open-world title like its predecessors. Instead, it’s allegedly a more linear experience with a few open-world elements. Ubisoft has already confirmed that it isn’t a role-playing game, so you’re unlikely to be min-maxing stats like in Odyssey or Shadows.

In fact, the combat could be much different from whatever we’ve seen till now, according to Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson. It’s apparently been completely overhauled, and Ubisoft allegedly brought in contortionists for the motion capture. And while it seems a ways out, it could launch in Holiday 2027.

But that’s not all he had to share. In a new episode of the Insider Gaming Podcast, he reported that though it’s allegedly focused on the witchy aspects of newcomer Elsa, that’s only to a “certain degree.” Apparently, Ezio Auditore da Firenze from Assassin’s Creed 2 was planned to enter about “halfway through the game” and “kind of teach her the ways of the Assassins and all that kind of stuff.”

Whether that’s still the case remains to be seen, but it seems that Ubisoft also “completely” overhauled the series’ combat. “They actually hired contortionists to come in and do the mo-cap for it. So there’s going to be a lot of like acrobatics as well in the combat system,” said Henderson.

He concluded by noting that Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe is looking like a Holiday 2027 release. That would fit with past titles, which have famously launched in November (Assassin’s Creed Shadows would have followed suit if it weren’t delayed). That could mean an announcement sometime this year, if not early 2027, which also lines up with reports of post-launch support for Shadows concluding this year.

Aside from the fact that it won’t be a role-playing game, Ubisoft hasn’t provided any details on Codename Hexe. Rumors claim that it’s a linear game with some open-world elements and the “darkest” entry yet, but we’ll have to wait and see.

While that’s still very much possible, it seems that internally, Codename Hexe is the darling for many at Ubisoft, according to Insider-Gaming’s Tom Henderson. “Some folk will be wary of this change, but Assassin’s Creed Hexe is the one project everyone at Ubisoft wants to work on because of how good it’s shaping up to be.”

Announced in 2022, Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe is the next title in the series, but it isn’t an RPG. In 2024, it was allegedly billed as “the darkest Assassin’s Creed game ever” and also features a female protagonist, Elsa, who has powers (including the ability to possess cats to distract guards).

Henderson later reported that while it would apparently have some open-world elements, Codename Hexe is mostly linear. Of course, the series’ logo as a twana and rumors of players dealing with German soldiers seemingly point to the story taking place during the Würzburg witch trials, but nothing is confirmed.

Interestingly, when another user told Henderson that this change doesn’t matter if you’re not experiencing an Assassin-focused story, he responded with a GIF of actor Tom Hanks saying, “Just wait.”

Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe doesn’t have a release date or platforms, but it’s allegedly releasing next year. If Ubisoft fancies a proper reveal, perhaps it could be in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates in the meantime.