Ubisoft's secretive Assassin's Creed Hexe project is hemorrhaging leadership. Game director Benoit Richer has announced his departure from Ubisoft Montreal, marking the second significant exit from the troubled title in under a year.
Richer revealed the move via LinkedIn, stating he is joining Quebec-based indie studio Servo Games as co-founder and game director. His departure follows creative director Clint Hocking's exit in February, after which Assassin's Creed head of content Jean Guesdon stepped into the creative director role.
The revolving door raises questions about stability on a project that Ubisoft has kept largely under wraps since its 2022 announcement. Beyond a logo and a promise that it would be a "new flagship title" and "a very different type of Assassin's Creed game," the publisher has divulged almost nothing about the game's direction or timeline.
Richer brings substantial credentials to the industry. He joined Ubisoft Montreal in 2000 as a level designer, working on Rainbow Six Vegas 2 before departing in 2008. He later served as game director on Batman: Arkham Origins at WB Games Montreal starting in 2010, then returned to Ubisoft Montreal in 2017 to contribute to Assassin's Creed Valhalla.
Ubisoft has not announced a replacement for Richer's role. The publisher did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the leadership change or the project's current status.
Hexe remains without a release date. It was unveiled alongside what would become the Animus Hub platform and Assassin's Creed Shadows, positioning it as part of Ubisoft's broader reimagining of the franchise. Whether the leadership instability signals deeper problems with the project's vision or scope remains unclear.
Author Emily Chen: "Two top directors bailing in quick succession is never a good sign, especially on a game this secretive. Either the vision is muddled, or people know something Ubisoft isn't telling us yet."
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