Ubisoft is reportedly deep into development on an ambitious remake of one of its most beloved titles. According to new leaks, the Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Remake will feature RPG mechanics, updated naval systems, and a reimagined storyline all aiming for a 2026 release window.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Remake to shift toward RPG systems

Jeux Vidéo Magazine, citing anonymised internal sources, reports that Ubisoft Singapore is leading the remake with support from Ubisoft Belgrade and Bordeaux. The new version won’t just upscale the graphics; it’s changing how the game plays.

Here’s what the new leaks reveal:

• Loot-based gear and RPG-style progression will replace the original’s simpler system
• Combat is being reworked to feel more like Origins or Odyssey
• The present-day storyline is being scrapped entirely
• Several hours of new pirate-era story content will take its place
• Exploration will be seamless, with no loading screens between land and sea
• Smaller islands will include new side missions and events
• Skull and Bones assets are being reused to streamline development

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Remake won’t mirror Resident Evil 4-style reboots

Despite the scope, Ubisoft reportedly sees this as a reinterpretation, not a full remake in the vein of Resident Evil 4 or Silent Hill 2. Some core elements will return intact, but the tone and flow will shift toward modern Assassin’s Creed design.

Earlier reports from MP1ST already hinted at an Anvil engine overhaul and more advanced wildlife systems. With the latest details added in, it’s clear the remake aims to blend nostalgia with Ubisoft’s current open-world formula.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Remake targets early 2026

Ubisoft is currently aiming for a March 2026 release. Still, internal sources warn that delays are likely, as the game is still in active production. Depending on how development progresses, it could slip into late 2026.

Black Flag Remake walks the line between legacy and reinvention

The Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Remake promises smoother exploration, deeper combat, and more to do at sea. But it also risks diluting what made the original a fan favorite. Replacing the modern-day narrative and leaning hard into RPG systems could divide longtime players.

Still, if Ubisoft sticks the landing, Black Flag could sail again, not as a relic, but as a reinvented flagship for the next era of the franchise.