Entries in both theAssassin’s CreedandFar Cryfranchises have continued to iterate on the foundations laid by some of the best games in the series. Even though both game franchises have experimented with different gameplay concepts, stories, and other degrees of innovation, both have followed very different development pipelines.Ubisoftimplemented an annual release schedule for theAssassin’s Creedseries after the massive success ofAssassin’s Creed 2, whileFar Crymaintaned a more traditional AAA development cycle. However, based on a few leaks and hints by the publisher,Assassin’s CreedandFar Crymay be going live service for the future.
Games as a service would be a relatively new development framework for theAssassin’s CreedandFar Cryfranchises, for the most part.Ubisofthas its own fair share of live service games, but these games have either been standalone franchises likeThe Division, or spin-offs like Ubisoft’s upcomingXDefiant. Never have either of the publisher’s flagship franchises adopted a live service approach in the past, and while the ambitious potential is certainly promising, a live service transformation is a risky endeavour. That being said, it wouldn’t be a wholly unfamiliar setup considering Ubisoft’s development pipeline, but it is a risky venture for the continued success of both.
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Live Service Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry Has Potential
Far Cry 7andAssassin’s Creed Infinitycould certainly benefit from a live service design, at least, under the right circumstances. ConsideringAssassin’s Creedfollowed an annual release schedule up untilAssassin’s Creed Origins, and the most recent RPG-adjacent titles follow a semi-annual release schedule, a live service approach wouldn’t be that far out of left field. The nextAssassin’s Creedgame could still iterate on theWitcher 3-esque RPGfoundation: Exploring different settings like Feudal Japan or WWII inAssassin’s Creed, while following a similar gameplay design toAssassin’s Creed ValhallaorOdyssey, makes sense in the current gameplay framework.
Far Cryas a live service game is a bit more nebulous, since releases in the franchise have been a bit more spread out compared toAssassin’s Creed. However,the inherent design of a modernFar Crygamedoesn’t lend itself quite as well to a more consistent content release schedule compared toAssassin’s Creed. The development time betweenFar Crygames has traditionally been much longer, but more importantly,Far Cry’s narrative conflict often hinges on a compelling villain arc, which is much harder to develop successfully. That being said, a live service development approach could potentially give villains more narrative depth over time with additional content.
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Avoiding Recurring Issues with Live Service
However, a live service development approach forAssassin’s CreedandFar Crycould perpetuate some of the same issues that both franchises already suffer from. Whether it’s RPG fatigue withAssassin’s Creed, or more specificallyvillain fatigue withFar Cry, it’s hard to argue whether or not a live service approach for both franchises is the right call. Even ifAssassin’s Creedhas found recent success with itsWitcher-esque RPG design, andFar Crycontinues to maintain its penchant for iconic and narratively bombastic villains, either franchise can only go so far before each franchise’s potential wears thin with subsequent entries.
Despite the potential star power of Giancarlo Esposito’s villain inFar Cry 6, many were still quick to criticize the latest entry for still feeling like more of the same. Even thoughFar Cry 6’s narrative did tackle aspects of a revolution that were compelling, the game’s narrative was still contextualized (and subsequently cheapened by) the game’s expansive open-world design. GrantedFar Cryhas never been a series that’s taken itself too seriously, but the lack of change makes each entry all too familiar. It’s unclear whether or not incremental content could remedy this problem, but a live serviceFar Crygame is going to set expectations that a compelling villain can only cover so far.
On the other hand,Assassin’s Creedhas found renewed success with its annual release schedule; iterating on the Assassins vs. Templars and Isu narrative foundations in compelling ways. Paired with theRPG revamp that came withAssassin’s Creed Origins, newer entries have a solid gameplay foundation that future adventures can reliably build upon. However,Assassin’s Creedhas had a history of crushing itself under its own weight and expectations. The series took a break afterAssassin’s Creed Syndicatefor the same reasonFar Cry 6received criticism in several reviews. Avoiding fatigue helped withAssassin’s Creed’s recent success, but live service could perpetuate a similar issue.
So long as the overarching franchise’s story can keep up with the variation in historical setting,Assassin’s Creedmay be better suited fora live service design similar to whatAssassin’s Creed Infinityseems to promise.Far Crymay need to implement a new narrative design to help bolster the transition to live service, but the potential is certainly there. However, both franchises have to weather varying degrees of risk if Ubisoft intends to take a live service approach with its flagship franchises. The reception of either series' next entry could be make or break for Ubisoft’s new live service direction.
