Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reports that Ubisoft is turning a planned expansion from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla into a full game release.
Code-named Rift, the game was initially set to be an expansion for Valhalla. Anonymous sources, who were not authorized to talk about the project publically, told Schreier that the change happened late last year. Focusing on stealth gameplay instead of an open-world RPG-style setting, Rift will release either later this year or in 2023.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla initially launched in 2020 and received favorable reviews. Basim Ibn Ishaq, a character from Valhalla, is the reported protagonist for Rift.
As for the reasoning behind the full release for Rift over a simple expansion? Schreier references a struggling lineup from Ubisoft and an “unprecedented exodus” of developers and scandals.
When it comes to the issues concerning Ubisoft’s game lineup, it’s no secret that Beyond Good & Evil 2 and Skull and Bones have had numerous delays. The Splinter Cell franchise is MIA. The Sands of Time remake is still coming, probably. Turning the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla expansion into a full-release for the current fiscal year is an excellent way to stem the bleeding from a financial perspective.
Once Ubiosft officially announces the game, we’ll be sure to report it.
