Assassin's Creed Hexe loses another director as Benoit Richer leaves Ubisoft

Benoit Richer has confirmed his departure from Ubisoft to establish his own indie development studio, according to a LinkedIn post. The Game Director was working on Assassin's Creed Hexe, Ubisoft's upcoming 'darker' instalment in the franchise. His exit comes weeks after Creative Director Clint Hocking also left the project.

Leadership shakeup hits Hexe development

The departure marks the second major leadership change for Assassin's Creed Hexe in recent weeks. As reported by Video Games Chronicle, Clint Hocking left his role as Creative Director following a broader franchise restructure at Ubisoft.

Jean Guesdon, the new Assassin's Creed franchise head, has since taken over as Creative Director for Hexe. In game development, creative directors typically establish the artistic vision, while game directors lead the execution of levels, systems, and mechanics.

Richer previously served as Game Director on Warner Bros. Montreal's Batman: Arkham Origins and co-development director for Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Before that, he worked on various Rainbow Six titles during his tenure at Ubisoft.

What this means for Hexe's development

According to Guesdon, Hexe remains in development at Ubisoft Montreal despite the leadership changes. 'While we know we haven't shared much about this one yet, it's being built with great care by our veteran team here at Ubisoft Montreal,' he said in a statement last month.

The game is described as a 'unique, darker, narrative driven Assassin's Creed experience, set during a pivotal moment in history.' Guesdon emphasised that the team is 'taking the time to deliver on its ambitious vision, which means we'll be quiet for a while longer.'

This suggests development will continue under new leadership, though the timeline for revealing more details remains uncertain. The departures of both the Creative Director and Game Director within weeks of each other represent significant changes for a major franchise project.

Broader Assassin's Creed pipeline

Hexe is one of four announced premium Assassin's Creed games currently in development. The franchise has seen considerable activity recently, with Ubisoft officially confirming the Black Flag remake last week.

Meanwhile, multiplayer project Codename Invictus is 'progressing steadily with a test and learn approach,' according to Guesdon. The franchise continues expanding with recent DLC for Mirage adding regional content for Middle Eastern players.

For UAE gamers following the franchise, these leadership changes may impact Hexe's eventual release timeline, though Ubisoft maintains the project remains on track under its veteran development team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the new Creative Director for Assassin's Creed Hexe?

Jean Guesdon, the new Assassin's Creed boss, has taken over as Creative Director for Assassin's Creed Hexe following Clint Hocking's departure from Ubisoft.

Why did Benoit Richer leave Ubisoft?

Benoit Richer confirmed his departure from Ubisoft to start his own indie development studio, according to his LinkedIn post announcing the career change.

What kind of game will Assassin's Creed Hexe be?

Ubisoft describes Assassin's Creed Hexe as a 'unique, darker, narrative-driven Assassin's Creed experience, set during a pivotal moment in history.'

When will we learn more about Assassin's Creed Hexe?

Ubisoft says they're taking time to deliver on the game's ambitious vision and will 'be quiet for a while longer' before sharing more details.

How many directors has Hexe lost recently?

Two key directors have left Assassin's Creed Hexe in recent weeks: Creative Director Clint Hocking and Game Director Benoit Richer.

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