At E3 2017, Ubisoft unveiled abrand new IPdubbedSkull and Bones, which lets players live the pirate’s life in intense naval combat. Given that game’s similar toAssassin’s Creed: Black Flag, many thought that the two franchises might be linked or that it is a spin-off, but now the studio has offered up an explanation for why it is keeping them separate.
When it comes down to it,Skull and Bonesis free from any major connection to theAssassin’s Creedseries as a means of giving developer Ubisoft Singapore complete freedom to explore new ideas. The studio was previously responsible for the ship-based combat inAssassin’s Creed 3andBlack Flag, but wanted a blank slate for its new project.
In a recent interview, Ubisoft Singapore’s managing director Olivier de Rotalier noted that the team wanted to continue working with the subject matter of pirates onceBlack Flagwas finished. They built a prototype based around one-on-one naval battles, but realized that it was straying far from whatAssassin’s Creedis all about. While naval battles have been a popular feature in the past, they have never been core to the experience. ForSkull and Bones, however, the ship battles take center stage.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot noted that makingSkull and Bonesa new IP gave Ubisoft Singapore complete freedom to follow through on any new ideas. He also praised the amount of people that have registered to try out the game’smultiplayer modeas part of a beta — sign-ups are currently open on the game’s official website.
It’s entirely possible that part of the decision to makeSkull and Bonesits own franchise stems from the fact that the game will contain afull single-player campaign. Given the current complexity of theAssassin’s Creedmythos, it makes sense to start fresh if the Ubisoft Singapore is coming up with a new plot and new characters.
Still, anyone that lovedBlack Flagwill surely get a lot out ofSkull and Bones. While the games aren’t linked officially, there seems to be a great deal of connective tissue when it comes to their gameplay.
Skull and Boneslaunches on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2018.
