Ubisoft teases more Assassin's Creed in 2010, new IP

Executives say there "might be something around" popular franchise next year, promise original intellectual properties in racing, fighting, and/or role-playing game genres.

When Assassin's Creed debuted and quickly established itself as a blockbuster hit, Ubisoft wasted little time in ramping up work on the first sequel. Later this month, Assassin's Creed 2 will arrive in stores, almost exactly two years after the original game's launch.

More Assassin's Creed on the way, because a lot more people in a lot more time periods desperately need killing.

As prompt as that turnaround may be, gamers might not have to wait even half that long for another dose of the time-travelling stealth action franchise. In a conference call after its quarterly earnings announcement today, Ubisoft CFO Alain Martinez teased that the franchise could return as soon as next year.

Responding to an analyst's question about the publisher's major franchise plans for 2010, Martinez said, "There might be something around Assassin's Creed, and you mentioned that there will be a movie of Prince of Persia." He didn't specify what form that Assassin's Creed content might take, be it significant downloadable content, a spin-off game, or a full stand-alone installment in the franchise. The content also might not necessarily be a game, since Ubisoft released an effects-heavy live-action short, Assassin's Creed Lineage, as part of its preparations to expand into feature filmmaking. (See below.)

Martinez's comment wasn't the only Ubisoft executive utterance to raise eyebrows during the call. CEO Yves Guillemot also talked about the publisher's desire to expand into genres where it hasn't met with much success to date. Specifically, Guillemot said the company has gaps in its lineup in the racing, fighting, and role-playing game genres, and that Ubisoft will be entering some (not necessarily all) of those genres with original intellectual properties "soon."

Although Guillemot specified them as weak spots of Ubisoft's catalog, the publisher already has some entries in each of the named genres. The company's Might and Magic franchise is one of the longest-running Western RPG series, although Ubisoft has focused more on spin-offs like the Heroes of Might and Magic line of games. Ubisoft also recently acquired the racing game studio behind the Trackmania franchise, Nadeo, but currently has the team working on TrackMania 2 instead of an original IP.

As for fighting games, the just-released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up was developed by the studio behind Super Smash Bros. Brawl. However, it is based on a licensed property and underperformed Ubisoft's expectations upon release.

160 Comments

  • iamaquidam

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 10:14 am GMT

    For Assassin's Creed 2 it will be downloadable content for sure. The 3 Bonus Levels featured in the Black Lim. Edition will be up for download and I guess we'll have to pay for them since the Black Edition is more expensive than the normal game (double price). And if u look on the website u can see the PS3 Network and Xbox Live logos. I w8 for this game. Hope it wont let us down.

  • taylormadederek

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 4:57 am GMT

    @ TWilliamz

    What????? MGS4, no gameplay???? \
    \
    MGS4 was probably the greatest game ever made. Of course you had to be a fan of the series from at least 1998 to "fully" appreciate it but......bwaaaa. My head is going to explode.
    \
    \
    I Just feel that AC2 is being shoved down our throats a little too much. One review is up on Metacritic and it seems to say that everyone should calm down as this game has fixed ALL the problems. \
    \
    I think that AC2 will be amazing. There is a 450 person team working on it, it better be good. It is more so that I feel that the first one was a POS.

  • Vaughnkiezel

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:57 pm GMT

    @Hickmanie14 Yeah! I was thinking about that too! In the streets of old Japan with a twist of "ninjas" would be saaaweeeeet!

  • DonIsaac

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 5:14 pm GMT

    Assassins Creed 1 was pretty good, yes we all know it repeats but the story was interesting and the graphics were awesome, the fighting was great with the counters and Altaïr couldn't possibly have been more acrobatic. The secong game will hopefully change what the 1rst was missing. Cant wait¡!¡!

  • melty3219

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 4:12 pm GMT

    @ taylormadederek
    assassins creed was a great game even if it got repetative at the end it was still good fun also it came out near the same time as modern warfare 1 so they had alot of competiton but still managed to pull 9 million sales FOR A NEW IP which is amazing tbh

    i cant wait for AC2 but i will most likely get that later because MW2 is at the top of my list atm

  • gamer082009

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 3:07 pm GMT

    I don't necessarily know if I want that much Assassins creed, the game is very repetitious. That said, maybe AC2 will change that stale point of the game. Can't wait to try #2 then I'll make final judgment.

  • RonTorque

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 3:00 pm GMT

    Great that they are always keeping the AC universe alive and that's great for the fans.

  • Sin-Thesis

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 2:38 pm GMT

    @Hickamie14

    holy crap i never thought of that, samurai AC would rock

  • Lord_Tigger

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 2:37 pm GMT

    @Nobri
    Don't you even DARE suggest that. The AC series doesn't need to be cheapened with online antics. I thumb my nose at you! *wiggle*

  • TWilliamz

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 2:11 pm GMT

    @taylormadederek
    "Who supported that one so much as to make them make a second one?"

    Why should they give up on it if they feel they can make it better than the first one? I guess you're the type to stop doing something you love because of a few negative reviews

    "You can make a game with little to no gameplay, but if it look amazing then it sells."

    I agree, but this makes me think more of MGS4 than it does AC.

  • Nobri

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 2:04 pm GMT

    Assassin's Creed online?

  • Chainer323

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 1:45 pm GMT

    naw, forget the Wii, it's gonna be an Assassin's Creed RPG

  • jjjrrr11211 posted Nov 5, 2009 12:21 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    jjjrrr11211

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 12:21 pm GMT (hide)

    Assassins Creed For Wii!!!!

  • megamega777

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 12:14 pm GMT

    @ Hickamie14 Ninjas
    anyways that two years wait looks worth it so far

  • heniurisaito

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:55 am GMT

    @taylormadederek
    Ah come on, don't you like the ending conspiracy puzzles? Although I totally agree with you. And to be honest, gamespot is the perfect reflection of that. ginving 9.0s away just for having stunning graphics, but good gameplay only counts as... 0.5.

    But the fighting in AC1 was awesome, you've got to give credit that until the 5th chapter the game was amazing, from there on the little bit pieces of story drove me to the end. Not that I did not like the game, I loved it, but it got pretty boring by the end of the 4th chapter, from there the fighting just kept getting easier.

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:42 am GMT

    Loved the first one, really looking forward to the second one, and even the third one, but we'll see about 'downloadable content'.

  • fooltheroyalbos

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:25 am GMT

    Lets face it, being an assasin is a repetitive job, you do the same thing all the time, the way it isnt repetitive is by spicing it up, add a challenge to it. They coulda done more with disguising him, like it's obvious that he isn't a monk the red and swords and daggers are a giveaway. Hopefully they add something for you people who found it repetitive and boring.

  • Hickamie14

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:15 am GMT

    I think that eventually (hopefully not AC3) the Assassin's Creed franchise should move to the American Revolution or Civil War. However, I would like to see a Samurai era story for Assassin's Creed 3.

  • Elvis4576

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:14 am GMT

    @taylormadederek
    you couldnt be more right

  • Jhraxlin

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:58 am GMT

    That dude looks old to the point of his joints rusting up.

  • Scorehound

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:55 am GMT

    Assassin's Creed stands as one of my all time favorites. Whatever Ubi does with the series, I can't wait. It is a great series with a ton of potential.

  • Jhraxlin

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:55 am GMT

    XD This game is going to be sick, but there are certain parts that could have been left out.

  • david1233

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:44 am GMT

    probably a spin-off

  • taylormadederek

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:42 am GMT

    I am sure that Assassin's Creed 2 will be good. It will actually be very good. \
    \
    However, who here likes the first one? it is crap. Repetitive boring crap. Who supported that one so much as to make them make a second one?
    \
    \ I guess that it just goes to show you that gamers are shallow. You can make a game with little to no gameplay, but if it look amazing then it sells. There is no denying that AC1 looks amazing.

  • DrMatta

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:38 am GMT

    Well, here's to Assassins Creed II.
    That it may be a great game, otherwise i'm dropping the series.

    The first one bored me to tears.

  • naryanrobinson

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:28 am GMT

    i can't see this next thing coming out in 2010, i can however see (sooner or later) a young boy from a rich family who moved to a huge city and had his family murdered by gangs and now 10 years on slinks around the cities by night wearing a white hoody looking to exact revenge.

  • prioritymail

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:04 am GMT

    I would love to see Assassin's Creed become a movie as long as Ubi creates it themselves like the Lineage series

  • ShroudedEagle

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 9:36 am GMT

    It's probably going to be an expansion, or they could be messing with us. Remember - Assassin's Creed 2 comes out for the PC next year

  • heywop65

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 9:30 am GMT

    yes ac3

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 9:17 am GMT

    its obvisouly gonna be DLC.

    minimal effort, maximum profit........and they can say their doing something for the fans.

    @ Shehryar_89
    yh maybe the DLC might be a compatability mode for motion play, doubt its a whole new game though.

  • dark_phoenix21

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 9:16 am GMT

    @D4NZEL-709: Whats the crusades if not 'war time'?

  • MrPilgrim

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 9:16 am GMT

    meh i would guess WW1 and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The Serbian nationalist group the Black Hand

  • Bad-Chad

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 9:10 am GMT

    @D4NZEL-709

    I guess the Colonial America idea could take place leading up to the War of Independance. The Assassin helps the colonists gain enough power to rebel.

    I really think that they should explore historical periods other than recent ones such as the Cold War because it gives a very cool contrast between the ultra modern lab setting and that of his ancestors distant pre-modern experiences.

    The cold war assassin and espionage thing has been done to death, anyone heard of a little series called James Bond??? That concept is just tired and it would actually be a disappointment if Ubisoft were to fall back on such a lazy concept.

  • D4NZEL-709

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:46 am GMT

    Shinkada
    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:14 am GMT -2

    Jim60360: This.

    Steer the hell away from WW2. Even WW1 should be avoided, if not as much.

    Protip: Cold war would be WAY more appropriate~
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sorry to say but wouldn't AGENT kick ubisofts ass. I mean R* is using all the power of the PS3.

  • Hickamie14

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:44 am GMT

    I think that next years Assassin's Creed will be a Wii game or a couple of DLC missions. I highly doubt we're going to see Assassin's Creed 3 so soon.

  • D4NZEL-709

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:43 am GMT

    Bad-Chad
    Posted Nov 5, 2009 1:36 pm GMT -2

    Should take place in colonial United States. Could have a conspiracy story like 100 Bullets. Could feature the behind the scenes power struggle between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen united former British colonies in North America all leading up to and taking place during the War of Independence. Lots of opportunity for violent assassinations and conspiracy theories in that period. Could be deliciously cool.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The devs said they would not make a game in a war period of time.

  • D4NZEL-709

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:41 am GMT

    zaqcdebgt9513
    Posted Nov 5, 2009 3:13 pm GMT -2

    I smell a poorly done wii assassin's creed spin off game. Either that or an animated mini series, which seems to be all the rage these days.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    This

  • DEATH775

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:34 am GMT

    Another Assassins Creeed, definitely going to be great

  • jakek

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:30 am GMT

    i highly doubt there will be AC3 within a year. If by some strange way that happened, it may not be as good of a game as it should have been

  • MikeDecz

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:29 am GMT

    Either way... if you're reading this Jade Raymond, I'd love to work for you!

  • MikeDecz

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:26 am GMT

    Bad-Chad

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 6:36 am PT

    Should take place in colonial United States. Could have a conspiracy story like 100 Bullets. Could feature the behind the scenes power struggle between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen united former British colonies in North America all leading up to and taking place during the War of Independence. Lots of opportunity for violent assassinations and conspiracy theories in that period. Could be deliciously cool.

    ---------------

    Great idea!!! I still think there's going to be some ninja stuff from that strange writing in the first one. Feudal Japan perhaps? Or maybe WWII? But your idea would rock harder than either...

  • BelaidKL

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:22 am GMT

    is so then i have a strong feeling on the Spanish Armada, French Revolution and the Viking ages.....but even though i love the franchise dont bring AC3 next year

  • zaqcdebgt9513

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:13 am GMT

    I smell a poorly done wii assassin's creed spin off game. Either that or an animated mini series, which seems to be all the rage these days.

  • Gamer_4_Fun

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:06 am GMT

    Maybe he is talking about a DLC for AC 2, something similar along the lines of POP, only bigger.

  • Trogeton

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 7:53 am GMT

    Just come out with it already

  • BaLLz_ON_FiRE

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 7:35 am GMT

    I like teasing.

  • Shehryar_89

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 7:20 am GMT

    i think MS's PROJECT NATAL and SONY's MOTION CONTROLLERS are responsible for another ASSASSINS CREED (2010)

  • Doolum

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 7:15 am GMT

    Assassination time!

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 7:08 am GMT

    before all the "milkers" begin, its only milking if the developers keep on making games in the same era or whatnot. if they go off in an entirely new direction, i say do it. @bad-chad you are right. ill be waiting

  • mwmars

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 6:58 am GMT

    kind of agree with @Bad-Chad.. could incorporate some Freemasons and/or Illuminati influence, and it could get interesting. But along the alternate modern day storyline of AC and AC2, I think they eventually have to wrap up the story in a modern times setting.

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