2016 marked the first break in the traditionally annual release of entries in the "Assassin's Creed" franchise since "Assassin's Creed II" came out in 2009; now fans are antsy regarding the next game in the series, with a prospective "Assassin's Creed 7" apparently only coming when the franchise is comfortable in its own digital skin once again.
Yves Guillemot, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of "Assassin's Creed" developer and publisher Ubisoft, recently had an interview with Gamespot regarding the possibility of Vivendi instituting a full takeover of the company due to the mass media conglomerate recently purchasing stakes in Guillemot's companies. During the interview, the subject of "Assassin's Creed 7," and when it might be released, was brought up.
When asked about the decision to choose 2016 as the year to mark an absence of an entry in the "Assassin's Creed" franchise, Guillemot explained that they took a break with it to further the development for "Assassin's Creed 7." While making "Assassin's Creed 7," the developers apparently saw the "potential" for the entry to revolutionize the whole "Assassin's Creed" franchise.
With "Assassin's Creed 7," Guillemot said that they want to ensure that the franchise can deliver a "greater experience" when it comes back. Becoming a bit cagey when pressed for the game's release date, Guillemot said that "Assassin's Creed 7" will only come "when it's ready" and that it is difficult to say just how much, if any, it will change the series.
It should be noted that any prospective "Assassin's Creed 7" will not actually be the seventh overall entry in the franchise. As a whole, the next game will actually be ninth full entry; although depending on the direction Ubisoft plans to go for the series, the "Assassin's Creed 7" could very well be the seventh main game in terms of a change of setting and time period.
The original "Assassin's Creed" back in 2007 took place in the Third Crusades, with the immediate sequel moving to Renaissance Italy. "Assassin's Creed II" was followed by two full games, "Brotherhood" and "Revelations," that expanded on its story, although "Assassin's Creed III" still followed with a wholly different protagonist and a move to the American Revolution era.
"Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag" marked a first in the series by actually moving to an earlier time period, taking place during the Golden Age of Piracy. Although not the fifth numbered entry, "Assassin's Creed: Unity" may well have been with its move to the French Revolution; it was also accompanied by its direct prequel "Assassin's Creed: Rogue."
"Assassin's Creed: Syndicate" is currently the latest entry in the main series, set in Victorian era London. For "Assassin's Creed 7," Kotaku reports that the game will most probably be set in ancient Egypt and is currently under development with the codename "Empire."
