As of today, including all home console and portable releases, there have been nine entries in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. That’s nine different games since the series’ debut back in 2007. And the team isn’t quite done yet, as this fall that number will be bumped up to 10 with the addition of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. Although there have been complaints about franchise fatigue due to its annualization, Ubisoft still has plenty more to do in one of its most successful universes.
Speaking with OXM, creative director Jean Guesdon discussed many different facets of the cross-generational Black Flag and why it should be the best Assassin’s Creed game to date. However, the conversation went a bit more global later on, as Guesdon was asked to discuss the state of the franchise as a whole.
“I think we have proven that this franchise is relevant, and that it has a long way to go,” he said. “Our job as developers of this new opus is to surprise players and bringing fresh, different ideas, while at the same time ensuring that what makes AC such a standout franchise remains intact.”
How do you avoid fatigue after 10 games in the same franchise, though? The company believes switching up the setting and giving players a reason to care about the adventure will do the trick.
“With the scale and scope of the world we are building, the completely new setting, the new gameplay mechanics, and our new characters (both our hero and his supporting cast), we are definitely on track to get the job done and avoid fatigue altogether,” Guesdon said.
Whether it’s the popular name attached to the box or the realistic pirates that will be making an appearance, there will be fans waiting to pick up Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag when it releases on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 Oct. 29.