Details have emerged about Ubisoft’s plans for the future of the Assassin’s Creed franchise centering around an ambitious live service hub called Assassin’s Creed Infinity.
Recent leaks provide insight into how Infinity aims to connect multiple upcoming titles through shared progression systems and monetization. This marks a major shift for the historically single-player focused series.
According to insider reports, Infinity will serve as a platform linking together upcoming games like Assassin’s Creed Red, Hexe, and Invictus. Players will be able to fluidly transition between titles without individually launching each one. Red is slated to launch alongside Infinity itself.
Live Service Elements for Ongoing Engagement
Infinity will also implement various live service mechanics common in games like Destiny 2. An in-game shop called The Exchange will offer rotating cosmetic items. “Projects” will provide mini battle passes tied to specific characters.
These features aim to continually engage players between releases and likely monetize the experience. Ubisoft has already incorporated some of these elements into recent entries like Valhalla, but Infinity represents a considerable doubling down.
A Risky Shift for the Franchise
While intrigue exists around interconnectivity between releases, the pivot towards games-as-a-service for the traditionally single-player focused Assassin’s Creed is risky. After the troubled launch of Ubisoft’s last live service attempt Skull and Bones, fan response will be crucial.
Ubisoft seems to be emulating successful service games systems for Infinity. But applying these to a tentpole AAA franchise could either pay off tremendously or backfire badly. The future direction of Assassin’s Creed now depends on how players take to this new era.
