The development of Assassin’s Creed Hexe is hitting a massive turning point. Recent reports confirm that Game Director Benoit Richer has officially left Ubisoft. He is moving on to join Servo Games, an indie studio founded by industry veterans. This follows the exit of Creative Director Clint Hocking earlier this year. Now, the project sits under the leadership of franchise veteran Jean Guesdon.
The End of “Magic” in Assassin’s Creed Hexe
With Jean Guesdon at the helm, the creative vision for the game is shifting. Reliable leaker j0nathan reports that Guesdon is removing all “magical” and supernatural elements. Previously, leaks suggested the protagonist, Elsa, would possess supernatural abilities. Specifically, players were supposed to control a cat to navigate environments and distract guards.
Si vous voulez une petite info sur les coulisses du jeu (qui pourrait être lié à ce départ), c'est que depuis que Jean Guesdon a été mis à la tête de la franchise Assassin's Creed en février, il a décidé de virer tout ce qui était "magique" dans Hexe. Par exemple, on devait… https://t.co/s9BcALY8aB
— j0nathan (@xj0nathan) April 24, 2026
Translation:
If you want a little behind-the-scenes info on the game (which might be related to this departure), it’s that since Jean Guesdon was put in charge of the Assassin’s Creed franchise in February, he’s decided to get rid of everything that was “magical” in Hexe. For example, we were supposed to control a cat, well, ultimately that’s been canceled.
However, this feature has been canceled. Guesdon is reportedly stripping these mystical elements to align the game with traditional Assassin’s Creed gameplay. This move focuses on grounded, stealth-based mechanics rather than the RPG-style magic seen in recent titles.
Jean Guesdon is no stranger to the series. He previously served as Creative Director for ‘Assassin’s Creed Black Flag’ and ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’. His takeover suggests a return to the franchise’s roots. Furthermore, these major creative cuts might actually help the development cycle. Insiders suggest that removing complex magical systems could allow Ubisoft to push the release date up. While originally anticipated for late 2027, the game might arrive sooner than expected.
What Remains of the Story
Despite the mechanical changes, the core setting remains intact. Hexe takes place during the 16th-century European witch trials. The story follows Elsa, a woman seeking revenge after her mother was executed for witchcraft. The game still promises a dark, “creepy” tone that sets it apart from other Ubisoft projects like ‘Assassin’s Creed Red’ or ‘Jade’.
Additionally, rumors persist about a potential appearance by Ezio Auditore. While leakers have refused to confirm the cameo, they haven’t denied it either. For now, fans can expect a more grounded experience as Ubisoft Montreal continues development under this new, streamlined vision.
