Pre-launch indicators suggest that Ubisoft may have a major success on its hands with Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, the upcoming remake of the beloved 2013 pirate adventure.
According to Alinea Analytics analyst Rhys Elliot, Steam pre-orders for the title are more than five times higher than those recorded for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest mainline entry in the series. Elliot noted that the remake has already surpassed the lifetime sales of Skull & Bones, Ubisoft’s long-delayed pirate spin-off inspired by Black Flag’s naval gameplay.
The analyst described Resynced as a potentially crucial release for Ubisoft, which has faced a difficult period marked by layoffs, studio closures and the underwhelming performance of Shadows. Despite strong anticipation for its feudal Japan setting, Shadows failed to match the success of earlier entries in the franchise and received only limited post-launch support.
Ubisoft has not disclosed current sales figures for Shadows, saying only that more than five million players had tried the game by mid-2025. Elliot estimates that the title has sold roughly 5.7 million copies, with the majority of purchases coming from PlayStation 5 users.
Black Flag Resynced is a complete remake centered on Edward Kenway’s Caribbean adventure. While the original’s multiplayer and modern-day segments have been removed, the remake expands the core narrative with additional content and updated visuals.
Ahead of launch, Ubisoft released a gameplay video showcasing the opening of Edward Kenway’s story.
Set in June 1715 near Cape Bonavista, the sequence introduces players to the game’s naval combat during a dramatic sea battle. Although the core mechanics remain faithful to the original, the visual overhaul is immediately apparent, with storms, waves and explosions rendered in far greater detail.
After the engagement, Edward is washed ashore on a tropical island, where the enhanced vegetation and redesigned environments highlight the capabilities of the remake. The story continues to follow the original plot, gradually drawing the protagonist into the conflict between the Assassins and Templars and leading him to acquire his iconic attire.
Ubisoft has also confirmed that players will be able to dive beneath the surface almost anywhere in the world, uncovering new shipwrecks and secrets. In addition, the combat system has been refined with hitbox-based mechanics intended to make encounters feel more responsive and dynamic, while Edward’s hidden blades now feature in combat finishers.
Revisiting beloved classics represents a lower-risk strategy for Ubisoft than investing in entirely new intellectual properties, as remakes benefit from proven game design and an established audience. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launches on 9 July for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
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