Ubisoft is currently developing astandalone multiplayerAssassin’s Creedgame, known only asAssassin’s Creed Invictus. Though the project is surrounded by an air of mystery at this stage, there’s good reason to havehigh hopes about theAssassin’s Creedmultiplayerspin-off, which could serve as a unique venue for Ubisoft to flex some of the series' less-explored strengths.
Assassin’s Creedhas experimented with multiplayer gameplay in the past. Starting withAssassin’s Creed Brotherhoodand ending withAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, Ubisoft would include competitive multiplayer modes, which would center on stealth-based gameplay and cat-and-mouse mechanics, playing to the series' strengths. Later,Assassin’s Creed Unitywould fold cooperative multiplayer into its single-player mode, though this did not wind up being a tradition in the same way as the franchise’s competitive multiplayer. As Ubisoft moves forward withAssassin’s Creed Invictus, it will be interesting to see which path it goes down with regard to its multiplayer framework.
Assassin’s Creed Invictus Is at a Crossroads
Assassin’s Creed Invictus Shouldn’t Be a Live-Service MMO
Ever sincethe success ofAssassin’s Creed Origins,Ubisoft has seemingly doubled down on turning the franchise into an action-oriented RPG series, eschewing the dense, urban areas of the earlier games in favor of sprawling open-world maps. Accompanying this shift is a pivot in various gameplay and progression systems, as the franchise now adheres to the conventions of loot-based RPGs with steady, incremental leveling.
Other changes, like dialog options, are also part ofAssassin’s Creed’s transformation from action-adventure to RPGseries.
These creative choices have garnered a wide array of receptions from long-time players, ranging from hostile to welcoming, but everyone can agree that the series has undergone a major metamorphosis over the past decade. In light of these changes, it may seem natural for Ubisoft to takeAssassin’s Creed Invictusin the same direction as something likeDestiny 2orWarframe, centering its gameplay loop around collecting gear, grinding XP, and tackling missions and raids with other players. After all, the post-OriginsAssassin’s Creedgames arguably take several notes from the likes ofDestiny 2with their gear and progression systems.
But this could bea major misstep forAssassin’s Creed Invictus. The live-service trend is already incredibly oversaturated, with flops likeSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice LeagueandMarvel’s Avengersproving that a recognizable IP isn’t enough to carry a bland, gear-based formula. Of course,Invictuscould try to do interesting things with the live-service, loot-based template, but the cards are stacked against it if it hopes to compete with other, better-established quasi-MMO titles. More importantly, adopting this approach could be seen as the final nail in the coffin for theAssassin’s Creedidentity, leaning too far into Western RPG tropes and abandoning its roots.
Assassin’s Creed Invictus' Development Team Could Be a Good Sign
Though virtuallynothing has been revealed aboutAssassin’s Creed Invictus, Ubisoft has stated that it’s being developed by a team with experience working on bothRainbow Six SiegeandFor Honor. Considering that these are both competitive multiplayer games, as opposed to games like Ubisoft’sThe Division, there’s a solid chance thatInvictuscould be steering clear of the looter-shooter formula forAssassin’s Creed.
Of course, nothing should be ruled out, asInvictuscould very well wind up following many of the most maligned tropes of the looter-shooter space, but Ubisoft invoking names likeFor HonorandSiegeseems like a good sign; the company could have taken developers from games likeThe DivisionandGhost Recon Wildlands, signaling a desire to make more games along those stylistic lines. Connecting the game to Ubisoft’s other competitive titles suggests thatAssassin’s Creed Invictuscould follow olderACgames, presenting competitive, thoughtful multiplayer rather than a repetitive gear or resource grind.
