DELAYS AND DEPARTURES IN THE PIRATE’S DEN
Ahoy, mateys! If you’ve been keeping a weather eye on the horizon for Ubisoft’s long-awaited pirate adventure, Skull & Bones, you’re in for more twists and turns than a treacherous sea voyage. As the game continues to navigate stormy waters, it faces yet another setback, including the loss of its third creative director.
Skull & Bones has had a turbulent history, with a release that’s been postponed time and again. The latest to walk the plank is Elisabeth Pellen, the director tasked with salvaging a project that was initially slated for release back in 2018. Pellen, however, has jumped ship to return to Ubisoft’s Paris headquarters, citing an abrupt end to her time at Ubisoft Singapore, possibly due to organized labor campaigns by the Creative Media and Publishing Union.
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As for Skull & Bones’ release date, it remains as elusive as buried treasure. While a closed beta test set sail last month, the game’s official launch, originally anticipated during Ubisoft’s fiscal year-end in March 2024, is still without a definitive date. This delay carries significant weight for Ubisoft, which has been tightening its purse strings following a lackluster 2022 release slate.
Among Ubisoft’s flagship titles showcased at its summer event, including Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, The Crew Motorfest, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Skull & Bones stands as one of the four major games. However, recent strategic shifts and setbacks have led to the indefinite cancellation of several internal projects, including a sequel to Immortals Fenyx Rising.
So, what’s next for Skull & Bones? According to a Ubisoft spokesperson, Pellen’s mission in Singapore was to breathe new life into the game’s creative direction. She succeeded, with the Skull & Bones team now working diligently to realize her vision of delivering a unique naval ARPG experience for players. Pellen, a former VP of editorial overseeing franchises like The Division, Assassin’s Creed, and Far Cry, has returned to Ubisoft Paris, where she now holds the title of Directeur Editorial Online.
However, the question of when Ubisoft will finally launch the game remains unanswered. Although 2023 is well underway, the game was last delayed at the beginning of the year, slating it for some time within its 2023-2024 fiscal year. Despite our expectations for more concrete updates, Ubisoft’s Summer Forward presentation merely provided closed beta dates.
Ubisoft reassures fans that creative directors moving on to new roles or projects during a game’s development stage is not uncommon.
In more promising news, the closed beta of Skull & Bones held in August garnered positive feedback from reviewers. Excitement runs high for this long-anticipated pirate adventure, despite the fact that Skull & Bones was announced at E3 a whopping seven years ago.
Skull & Bones offers players the chance to step into the boots of a pirate captain, unleashing chaos on the high seas. Notably, the game features robust RPG progression systems, including survival elements where you collect raw materials to build ships. The extensive loadout system allows players to customize every aspect of their vessel, from aesthetics to functionality. The depth of customization options ensures a unique experience for every player.
But what truly shines is the naval combat, Skull & Bones’ pièce de résistance. The sailing mechanics, even in their early beta phase, evoke the glory of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag. Explosions are a sight to behold, and boarding enemy ships can lead to bountiful loot. This experience becomes all the more thrilling when shared with friends. After all, the more pirates, the merrier!
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As Skull & Bones sails through these turbulent waters, reports suggest that Ubisoft is working on a remake of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag—the very game that initially inspired Skull & Bones.
However, the development challenges faced by Skull & Bones are accompanied by concerns over pay, workplace treatment, and equality within Ubisoft Studios. These issues have culminated in a union-led ballot exercise in Singapore, following allegations of unfair treatment and workplace harassment within the company.
