Ubisoft Decides to Emulate Nintendo: Company to Focus on Remakes Following Success of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced

Simply updating games is much cheaper than making new ones. Nostalgia and the original's recognition also help save significantly on marketing.

The financial success of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced may lead to a reevaluation of Ubisoft's long-term strategy. During the Q1 FY2027 earnings call, CFO Frédérick Duguet stated that remakes can generate higher profits than entirely new projects.

According to Duguet, remakes offer several advantages. They allow the use of existing game assets, require lower development and marketing costs, and attract audiences due to the original's recognition and nostalgia. This is why Ubisoft expects Black Flag Resynced to deliver "outstanding financial results."

The company's expectations are already being met. In the first two weeks after its release, the updated version of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag sold 3.5 million copies, exceeding Ubisoft's annual sales forecast. Additionally, the game received an 84 score on OpenCritic, making it the highest-rated installment in the series since the original Black Flag in 2013 and surpassing Assassin's Creed Shadows, which scored 81.

Following this success, Ubisoft is reportedly considering a more active focus on remakes. According to available information, another project is already in development, which is most likely an updated version of the first Assassin's Creed. This approach aligns with CEO Yves Guillemot's previous statements about his intention to release new games in the series more frequently, alternating original installments with reimagined versions of classic projects.

For Ubisoft, this strategy seems logical given the financial difficulties of recent years. Remakes are cheaper than large new open-world games and already have an established audience.