It appears that Ubisoft isn’t quite done yet with pirates because new rumors and even a leak have surfaced regarding an Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake. However, that begs the question: what of Skull & Bones — you know, the game that sprouted from Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag‘s rib?
But first things first, at the moment, the Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake is a rumored leak and has not been confirmed by Ubisoft. They have lots of other problems to worry about, and a struggling studio canceling or squashing rumors is not unheard of.
Still, the supposed leak about the Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake came from MP1ST and they managed to take a screenshot of an Ubisoft Game Designer’s posting with a mention of new gameplay systems. The leak suggests that Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Remake will come with juicy new, contemporary mechanics on top of the enhanced graphics expected of remakes and remasters.
And even though it’s just a deleted “leak” at this point, and hasn’t been confirmed by Ubisoft, it could bury Skull & Bones further in obscurity.
Fans Consider the Old Black Flag Better Than Skull & Bones
Back when Skull & Bones was released early in 2024, the immediate reaction and player sentiment was how you’re better off just playing the 10-year-old Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag. After all, it was Black Flag that gave inception to Skull & Bones. The fan demand saw Ubisoft trying to capitalize on its successful pirate game formula (albeit a little too late).
Unfortunately for Ubisoft, when Skull & Bones was released, fans more or less ignored it and jumped ship to the old Black Flag. Steam numbers back then proved that it was Ubisoft’s superior game. That’s likely why the studio decided to put out a Black Flag remake if the aforementioned leak is anything to go by.
The problem for Skull & Bones is that the hypothetical Black Flag Remake will possibly come with upgraded graphics and new mechanics. Thus, Ubisoft runs the possibility of cannibalizing Skull & Bones further by giving more love to the superior pirate game.
If that kind of Black Flag Remake happens to be true, then Skull & Bones’ only few advantages left would be the multiplayer and the live-service structure which are debatable. You could argue a case for Skull & Bones‘ customization, but without Black Flag‘s story, atmosphere, or production value, it won’t mean much.
Not that I’m complaining, of course. I’ve always wanted a Black Flag remake — it’s my favorite Assassin’s Creed. But I can’t help but feel second-hand regret for Ubisoft after it spent $850 million on Skull & Bones. The studio could’ve just produced a more updated and better remake of Black Flag for a much cheaper cost, which they’re now allegedly producing anyway.
