Ubisoft says goodbye to Marc-Alexis Côté, the Assassin's Creed captain.

After 20 years leading Assassin's Creed , Marc-Alexis Côté is leaving Ubisoft in a move that has surprised the industry. The news comes after the unexpected success of Assassin's Creed Shadows , a game that exceeded the French company's expectations and reaffirmed the saga's relevance in the global video game market.

Although Ubisoft claimed it was a voluntary transition, Côté revealed it wasn't his decision . The company offered him an alternative position at Vantage Studios , created from the Ubisoft- Tencent partnership, with less creative scope. After declining, he was asked to leave the company.

In his LinkedIn post, Côté explained: “I remained in my position until Ubisoft asked me to step aside. I did not make that decision.”

For two decades, the veteran was a key player in iconic titles such as Brotherhood, Syndicate and Valhalla , and led the planning of Assassin's Creed Infinity , the hub of the saga.

His departure represents a profound shift in the franchise's strategic direction, creating uncertainty about who will take the helm of Assassin's Creed and how future releases will be shaped.

Côté's departure is part of an internal restructuring at Ubisoft , designed to align the company with its new corporate structure. The collaboration with Tencent sought to optimize resources and create a studio closer to the current leadership, but this entailed difficult changes for long-standing figures like Côté.

The creator compared his role to that of a captain: “I only leave when everyone is safe,” emphasizing his commitment to the franchise and the development teams he left behind.

With the departure of Marc-Alexis Côté, the future of the series is in limbo. Ubisoft must appoint a new creative leader who will maintain the essence of one of the most recognized franchises in the industry, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the next steps.

Côté's case highlights the challenges of the video game industry , where the restructuring and modernization of studios sometimes clash with the experience and track record of veteran developers.