Jeux Vidéo Magazine (JVM), known for their careful reporting and accurate leaks in the past, has published new information after weeks of investigation. The team cross-checked multiple Ubisoft sources before making this report public, stressing that they usually avoid unverified rumors. No concept art or prototypes were shared, but the information that was revealed gives more information on what Ubisoft has planned for this highly anticipated return to the Caribbean.
Why Ubisoft Is Betting on Black Flag Again
Black Flag was, and still is, one of the most beloved Assassin’s Creed games. Ubisoft knows fans have been asking for another chance to sail with Edward Kenway, so betting on a remake with modern visuals and systems is a pretty safe move to keep the hype alive. So far, we know that:
- Development is led by Ubisoft Singapore, the studio that built the original naval systems, with support from Ubisoft Belgrade and Ubisoft Bordeaux.
- The current target is early 2026 (likely March), but sources admit it could be pushed to late 2026 if production struggles continue.
- Actor Matt Ryan (Edward Kenway) once hinted at this remake, and insiders now confirm it is indeed real.
How the Remake Is Being Built
One of the more surprising elements is that Ubisoft Singapore is reusing some Skull and Bones assets to keep costs down. According to insiders, these are mostly background or technical assets and won’t be obvious to players. The project runs on Ubisoft’s new Anvil Pipeline engine, the same tech powering Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
The remake is well into production, but some insiders doubt it will truly be ready for 2026. Ubisoft reportedly sees it not as a mega-budget “event remake” like Resident Evil 2 or Silent Hill 2, but as a reinterpretation. By that they mean more a mix between remake and remaster with modernized systems.
A Pirate’s Life Reimagined
The biggest change is narrative. Ubisoft is apparently cutting the modern-day storyline entirely and replacing it with extended pirate-era content. This includes:
- Several extra hours of gameplay in Edward’s era.
- Restoration of cut content from the original 2013 game, including parts of Mary Read’s storyline.
If those changes are real, they will probably be welcomed by a lot of players. The modern-day storyline has not really been the same since Desmond’s arc ended in Assassin’s Creed III.
In recent games, it often feels disconnected from the main adventure, and many fans found it disappointing compared to how central it was in the early trilogy. So if Ubisoft chooses to skip it here and focus entirely on Edward’s pirate journey, most players won’t miss it, and more time with Kenway is always a win.
RPG Systems Take Over
The remake will not just be prettier. It will play differently. Ubisoft is leaning into the RPG mechanics seen in recent Assassin’s Creed entries:
- A new inventory and loot system.
- Weapons and equipment stats for Edward.
- Combat redesigned to be less choreographed, more stat-driven, closer to Odyssey or Valhalla.
For more information on the RPG part, we covered more of it here, feel free to take a look!
Exploration Without Boundaries
Another major change is how exploration works:
- Seamless transitions from boat to land, and land to boat, with no loading screens.
- The map itself will not be larger, but islands will be reworked and filled more activities, missions, and side content.
Ubisoft’s Release Strategy
Ubisoft may be eyeing a similar launch situation as 2013, when Black Flag released around the same time as GTA V. With GTA VI releasing in 2026, insiders believe Ubisoft could deliberately launch the remake close to it for visibility. If delayed to late 2026, however, this could push the mysterious Assassin’s Creed Hexe into 2027.
With these changes, this will either excite or worry fans, depending on how much you loved the original Black Flag’s identity. For now, we can only wait for official announcements from Ubisoft before being able to really confirm if all of this is true. Until then, keep an eye on our latest news!
