Clint Hocking, the creative director overseeing development of the next major installment in the Assassin's Creed franchise, has departed Ubisoft. His exit follows a significant internal restructuring at the video game publisher.
The veteran developer’s departure was confirmed this week. Hocking had been a key creative lead on the upcoming, unannounced Assassin’s Creed project, codenamed “Assassin’s Creed Red,” which is set in feudal Japan.
Background on the Veteran Developer
Clint Hocking is a well-known figure in the gaming industry with a long history at Ubisoft. He first joined the company in 2001 and gained prominence as the lead level designer and scriptwriter for the critically acclaimed title “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.”
He later served as the creative director for “Far Cry 2,” a game praised for its innovative systems and open-world design. After a period away from Ubisoft, working at other studios including LucasArts and Valve, Hocking returned to Ubisoft in 2021 to helm the next flagship Assassin’s Creed game.
Ubisoft’s Recent Restructuring
Hocking’s departure is directly linked to a broader reorganization within Ubisoft. Earlier this year, the company announced a strategic restructuring plan aimed at streamlining operations and refocusing its development resources.
This corporate reshuffle has involved consolidating teams and reassigning projects. As part of these changes, leadership roles on several key projects have been evaluated and, in some cases, altered.
The restructuring is seen by industry analysts as a move to improve efficiency and profitability after a period of project delays and financial challenges for the publisher.
Impact on the Next Assassin’s Creed
The immediate impact of Hocking’s exit on the development timeline and creative direction of the next Assassin’s Creed title remains unclear. Ubisoft has not announced a replacement creative director for the project.
Development on “Assassin’s Creed Red” is being led by Ubisoft Quebec, the studio behind “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.” The project is a central part of Ubisoft’s long-term roadmap for the blockbuster franchise.
Industry observers note that high-profile director changes during a game’s production can introduce uncertainty, but large studios like Ubisoft Quebec are structured to manage such transitions with minimal disruption to core development.
Official Statements and Industry Context
Ubisoft acknowledged Hocking’s departure in a brief statement, thanking him for his contributions and wishing him well in his future endeavors. The company reiterated its confidence in the teams working on the future of the Assassin’s Creed universe.
Clint Hocking has not yet publicly commented on his reasons for leaving or his future plans. His exit is the latest in a series of senior staff changes at Ubisoft over the past two years.
The video game industry has experienced significant volatility and workforce adjustments in the post-pandemic period, with many companies, including Ubisoft, implementing cost-cutting measures and strategic pivots.
Looking Ahead for the Franchise
Ubisoft is expected to continue development on its slate of upcoming Assassin’s Creed games without delay. The company recently released “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” and has multiple other titles in various stages of production across its global studio network.
The next major reveal for the franchise is anticipated to be the formal announcement of “Assassin’s Creed Red,” potentially later this year or in early 2025. The search for a new creative director to guide the project to completion is likely underway internally.
Fans and investors will be watching for Ubisoft’s next financial communications for any updates on the development status of its key projects and the long-term effects of its corporate restructuring.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
