And just like that, the Assassin’s Creed franchise is going full force following the massive success of its latest title, Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Tom Henderson confirmed in a reply on X (formerly Twitter) that Codename Invictus is the next Assassin’s Creed game coming this year.
According to leaks and reports, Assassin’s Creed Codename Invictus will be an arena-based multiplayer game, taking inspiration from titles like Fall Guys. Sixteen players will compete in various challenges set across massive maps inspired by past entries, including Baghdad from Mirage, Feudal Japan from Shadows, and more.
Additional information from a leak six months ago revealed that players who qualify for the next round can choose upgrades to enhance their characters for the remainder of the match. One curious detail mentioned by the lead developer is the inclusion of a Smash-like "immunity bubble" when a player respawns, suggesting a more arcade-style approach rather than the traditional Assassin’s Creed formula.
Fans are already questioning how this aligns with the series’ signature stealth and action gameplay.
Iconic franchise characters such as Cesare Borgia and Ezio Auditore will return as playable options. However, no new main characters have been confirmed outside of the series’ established protagonists and antagonists.
It remains unclear whether Codename Invictus will be integrated into the franchise’s notoriously complex canon. Given Ezio’s inclusion, it appears to be a multiplayer spin-off designed to capitalize on the demand for an online Assassin’s Creed experience, similar to what Black Flag once offered.
This marks the second Assassin’s Creed title expected to launch this year, alongside Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which served as Ubisoft’s high-stakes attempt to revitalize its declining numbers. Fortunately, Shadows was a resounding success, drawing over three million players in its first week alone—with even more expected in the coming months.
Assassin’s Creed Codename Invictus is an unusual addition to a series known for its stealth-driven gameplay. However, given the franchise's history of experimentation—including an upcoming mobile title—this move isn’t entirely unexpected. Ubisoft continues to bet on live-service titles like this, and Invictus may even become a flagship game in their latest innovation, the Animus Hub.
With a Black Flag remake also in development, the series' future looks bright—though some fans remain wary of its evolving direction.