Report: New Witch-Themed Assassin’s Creed Loses Dozens of Developers

The situation surrounding Assassin’s Creed: Codename Hexe is growing more complicated, now resembling not just a routine project shakeup but a prolonged internal re-evaluation of its entire concept. Following reports of franchise leadership changes and a series of staff reshuffles, it’s now been revealed that around 50 developers have been removed from the project and reassigned to Ubisoft’s so-called Interproject group—a temporary pool where employees remain unassigned and must find new roles within a limited time frame.

According to sources, this decision is tied to a revised budget and production plan for Hexe, which is still targeting a 2027 release, though there’s increasing speculation it could slip toward the end of that year. Meanwhile, the game’s systems and content continue to be reworked. After early leaks suggested the project had lost most of its overtly mystical elements, new reports indicate further simplification or reimagining of previously announced ideas.

Among the latest changes is the reported removal of a planned “cat companion” and a more radical shift toward a “grounded” take on witchcraft. Instead of supernatural powers, insiders say the focus is now on the protagonist’s knowledge of chemistry and gadget-making—abilities that might look like magic, but are rationally explained within the game’s world.

Amid all this, staff changes within the team continue, fueling a sense of instability in the development process. Officially, Ubisoft maintains a reserved stance: the project hasn’t been canceled and is still in development, but its final form appears to be evolving significantly from its original vision.

Assassin’s Creed: Codename Hexe is an upcoming entry in the series, developed by Ubisoft Montreal. Rumored to be set in 16th-century Central Europe during the Holy Roman Empire’s witch hunts, the game is positioned as a darker, more story-driven spin-off, emphasizing fear, distrust, and the social hysteria surrounding accusations of witchcraft.

Are you looking forward to Assassin’s Creed: Codename Hexe? What changes do you think the game needs to feel fresh compared to previous entries?