The development hell ofSkull and Bonesis well-documented at this point, butAssassin’s Creedcould give it an “out.” The driving idea behindSkull and Boneswas conceived around the development ofAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, with the title beginning as an expansion for it. This is not uncommon, notably, for Ubisoft.Immortals Fenyx Risingwas conceived from a bug inAssassin’s Creed Odyssey, andAssassin’s Creed Miragewas an expansion forAC Valhallaoriginally, at least on paper. However, whileAC MirageandImmortals Fenyx Risinghave soared, it seemsSkull and Boneshas struggled to set sail.
The scope and focus of the game has changed multiple times, thesetting ofSkull and Boneshas changed multiple times, and it recently lost its third creative director. That is the definition of development hell, but multiple games have faced these stormy waters and lived to tell their tale.Skull and Bonescan too, and perhaps its best wager lies in the recently rumored development ofAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag.
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Skull and Bones Began as an AC4: Black Flag Expansion, and It Could End Up That Way Too
Earlier this year, Kotaku reported that aremake ofAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flaghas been greenlit, though the project is still in the earliest of early stages. In other words, fans can’t expect a remake of the game for a few years, and it would seem Ubisoft Singapore is involved in the project. This is noteworthy because Ubisoft Singapore is currently the lead studio onSkull and Bones, but that’s not really uncommon. Ubisoft Singapore has been involved with a number ofAssassin’s Creedgames, including the naval combat forBlack Flag.Assuming this report is accurate, then perhaps the best bet was the original idea: to shipSkull and Bonesas a multiplayer component ofAssassin’s Creed 4 Black Flag.
PairingSkull and BoneswithAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagwould be good for its image, it would be a way of going back to what inspired the idea in the first place, and it would ensure thatSkull and Bonesis less likely to be in a sink or swim situation right out of the gate. After all, it’s clear thatSkull and Bonesis going to launch at some point, and while there have been multiple delays and changes to the game, one more push really wouldn’t be surprising. TheBlack Flagremake is at least a couple of years out, and that would letSkull and Bonesiron out its issues in that period. Now, whether or not that time is justified is a completely different beast, but it may be the best option at this point no matter what.
This would bring the relationship betweenAssassin’s Creed 4: Black FlagandSkull and Bonesfull circle, and it would ensure the latter gets into players' hands. Together, many who may be wary of its development hell would have reason to check it out. This is pure speculation though, so fans will just have to wait and see if theAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagremake rumorsare legit and what Ubisoft has in store forSkull and Bones.
A remake ofAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis rumored to be in development.
MORE:The Ship May Have Already Sailed for Skull and Bones
