In a move that has shocked industry insiders, Ubisoft has reportedly shelved a major new entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise that would have been set in the turbulent aftermath of the American Civil War, according to a new investigative report. The game, which was deep in the concept phase, promised a bold and mature narrative but was ultimately axed amid a complex web of internal concerns and external pressures.
The report, from Game File’s Stephen Totilo, cites multiple sources familiar with the project, painting a picture of a passionate development team whose ambitious vision ultimately fell victim to a challenging political and corporate landscape.
A Story of Reckoning in the Reconstruction Era
Codenamed ‘Project Scarlet’ in some internal discussions, the game was poised to be the next flagship RPG in the Assassin’s Creed lineage. Developed at Ubisoft Québec—the studio behind the critically acclaimed Assassin’s Creed Odyssey—the project was under the creative direction of Scott Phillips, a veteran with proven success on Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.
The narrative was set to break new ground for the series. Players would have taken on the role of a former slave who, in the era of Reconstruction, returns to the American South. The core of the story would have involved confronting the nascent and violently racist Ku Klux Klan, weaving the eternal conflict between Assassins and Templars into one of the most painful and defining chapters of American history. Sources described the team as deeply invested in telling this powerful story with the nuance and respect it demanded.
Why Was 'Project Scarlet' Cancelled?
According to the sources, the cancellation was not due to any single factor, but rather a "perfect storm" of concerns. The project was reportedly still in its conceptual stages when the decision was made to halt all development.
1. Sensitivity to Backlash and Representation: A significant factor cited was the intense and often toxic backlash Ubisoft faced following the reveal of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and its protagonist, the African samurai Yasuke. The report suggests that internal executives grew wary of launching another game centered on a Black protagonist in a historically brutal setting, fearing a repeat of the contentious discourse and potential review bombing. The sensitive and still deeply politicized nature of the Civil War and Reconstruction era in the modern United States added another layer of perceived risk.
2. A Crowded Release Slate and Shifting Strategies: Ubisoft is currently investing heavily in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, with multiple games in development under the "Assassin’s Creed Infinity" hub. The reported 2027 release window for 'Project Scarlet' may have conflicted with other, potentially less politically volatile projects. The company is also navigating a rapidly changing industry; for instance, the recent confusion around Xbox Game Pass titles highlights the kind of market instability that can make publishers cautious about billion-dollar bets.
The decision highlights the delicate tightrope major developers must walk when tackling real-world historical atrocities. While the Assassin’s Creed series has never shied away from conflict—from the American Revolution in AC III to the French Revolution in Unity—the specific and raw nature of the post-Civil War South and the direct depiction of the KKK appears to have been a bridge too far for Ubisoft’s risk assessment.
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What Could Have Been, and What's Next
The cancellation of a project of this scale and ambition is a sobering reminder of the realities of game development, where even the most compelling concepts can be undone by factors beyond the control of the creative team. For fans, it represents the loss of a potentially landmark entry that could have explored a crucial, and often overlooked, period in history through the unique lens of the franchise.
Ubisoft has so far declined to comment on the report. As always, it's important to treat unconfirmed reports with a degree of caution, but the details provided by Game File offer a compelling and credible look at a game that, for now, will remain a fascinating "what if" in the annals of gaming history.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise continues with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set to release later this year, and the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Hexe, which promises a darker tone. Whether Ubisoft will ever return to the compelling, yet fraught, setting of Reconstruction America remains to be seen.
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