Assassin’s Creed Red will deliver what is arguably the biggest fan request since the series began 15 years ago. That’s right, Ubisoft is finally making Assassin’s Creed Japan. As revealed at the Ubisoft Forward 2022 showcase, Codename Red has fast becoming one of the most anticipated upcoming Assassin’s Creed games on the basis of the setting alone.
While, let’s be honest, a good thing for Ubisoft – the publisher would only offer a couple of other teases about the next “flagship” entry to the series. We’re yet to receive a release window for Assassin’s Creed Red, although with the stealth-action focused Assassin’s Creed Mirage set to release in 2023, there’s a good chance we’ll be waiting until 2024 at the earliest.
In the meantime, you should get caught up on the game that will follow Codename Red, which is Assassin’s Creed Hexe, and the package that will bring all future installments together: Assassin’s Creed Infinity. Of course, if you keep scrolling you’ll find the first teaser trailer and everything we know so far about Assassin’s Creed Red.
What is Assassin’s Creed Red?
Assassin’s Creed Japan will be the next major game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, following the success of 2020’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Developer Marc-Alexis Cote, who has served as both creative director and producer on some of the best Assassin’s Creed games, described Codename Red as Ubisoft’s “next premium flagship title” before teasing that it will be “the future of our open-world RPG games on Assassin’s Creed.”
Assassin’s Creed Red trailer
The Assassin’s Creed Codename Red reveal trailer was just 30 seconds long, but it was big on surprises. You can watch the footage above, which seems to confirm the return of the Animus (and the narrative split between past and present), the new Feudal Japan setting, and our first look at the all new assassin – who’s wielding a one-handed sword, hidden blade, and jet-black Assassin Order robes.
Assassin’s Creed Red setting
Assassin’s Creed has explored no fewer than 10 different locations around the world since the series made its debut 15 years ago, but it has never ventured into Japan – until now that is. Marc-Alexis Cote says that Assassin’s Creed Codename Red setting will “let players explore one of their most awaited settings ever on the franchise, Feudal Japan” where we’ll finally get the chance to “live a very powerful Shinobi fantasy.” Ubisoft is yet to confirm the exact period of history we’ll be roaming around, although knowing that Assassin’s Creed Japan is actually happening is enough to keep our curiosity satiated for now.
Assassin’s Creed Red development
Assassin’s Creed Codename Red is in development at Ubisoft Quebec. The studio cut its teeth creating expansions for Assassin’s Creed 3 and Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, impressing the powers that be enough that it became the first studio outside of series creator Ubisoft Montreal to be handed the reins of a mainline installment. Ubisoft Quebec went on to lead development of 2015’s Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. While it’s unclear how long Assassin’s Creed Codename Red has been in development, we do know that Jonathan Dumont will be returning as creative director – a role he fulfilled on both AC Odyssey and Ubisoft Quebec’s Immortals Fenyx Rising, which was released in 2020.
Assassin’s Creed Red leaks
Assassin’s Creed Codename Red has been no stranger to leaks and rumors. Word of an Assassin’s Creed Japan game first surfaced in July 2022, although it was unclear whether it would be a standalone experience or part of the broader Assassin’s Creed Infinity offering. We now know that Assassin’s Creed Codename Red will be the next major installment to the series, although at the time it set the internet on fire. And for good reason: This has been a long time coming.
While Assassin’s Creed: Fragments – a series of YA novels – allowed us to peer into the lives of The Blade of Aizu (who were based out of Japan), and there have been a handful of teases in the mainline games over the years, the setting has always been demanded but never delivered. Thankfully, on this occasion, the rumors turned out to be true – and who knows how long we’ll be waiting for more information.
Assassin’s Creed Red has no release date, but while we wait for more info why not check out some of the most exciting upcoming PS5 games or upcoming Xbox Series X games?
