Ubisoft's long-standing title, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, is witnessing a rise in player engagement, possibly influenced by the arrival of its spiritual successor, Skull and Bones. Following years of delays, Skull and Bones has finally been launched after its initial announcement in 2017. This game builds upon the acclaimed naval combat featured in Assassin's Creed 4, offering players continuous online ship battles within a shared open-world environment.
Among Ubisoft's historically popular stealth games, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag stands out as a fan favorite. Renowned for its pirate naval combat, a feature rarely explored in other AAA titles, especially within the Assassin's Creed series, it has garnered significant praise. The protagonist, Edward Kenway, known for his swashbuckling persona and connection to Haytham Kenway from Assassin's Creed 3, has captured the hearts of players. Recent speculations about a potential full remake of Assassin's Creed 4 have stirred excitement and anticipation among the gaming community.
Shortly after the debut of Ubisoft's Skull and Bones, the TrueAchievements Xbox Achievement platform observed a growing influx of players returning to Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. Following the beta weekend of Skull and Bones on February 8, Black Flag has been experiencing a surge in player numbers. This trend continued through the early access and official launch of Skull and Bones on February 16. According to TrueAchievements, Black Flag has seen a remarkable 31% increase in Xbox players over this two-week period.
The reasons behind the resurgence of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag are not definitively clear. While Skull and Bones has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling it falls short of the legacy of Black Flag, many gamers are rediscovering the classic title for its exceptional naval combat and engaging on-foot action-adventure gameplay, aspects that Skull and Bones lacks. Additionally, TrueAchievements highlighted a recent sale where Black Flag was available for a discounted price of $8.99 last month. It's worth noting that the reported player increase only pertains to Xbox users, suggesting that the surge in Black Flag players might be even more substantial across PC and PlayStation platforms.
What Lies Ahead for Assassin's Creed Enthusiasts?
Only time will reveal if Skull and Bones can sustain itself as a live service game in the long run. As for fans of the Assassin's Creed series, the speculation regarding a remake of Black Flag could materialize, although Ubisoft is currently focusing on multiple other major Assassin's Creed projects under development. It's possible that fans might receive updates on the rumored Black Flag remake or upcoming titles later this year.