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.