For ‘Assassin’s Creed’ creator, new game ends a very personal battle

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 30, 2026

Patrice Desilets, creator of the “Assassin’s Creed” series, has launched his new game “1666: Amsterdam,” an action-adventure set during the European witch hunts, with its first chapters released in early access on PC. This marks a personal and professional milestone after years of legal battles and delays, as Desilets moves forward independently with his Montreal studio Panache Digital Games, distancing himself from his former work at Ubisoft.

After more than 15 years marked by legal disputes and a bankruptcy, Patrice Desilets, the creator behind the acclaimed “Assassin’s Creed” series, is moving forward with a new game titled “1666: Amsterdam.” The action-adventure title, which revisits historical settings during the European witch hunts, was well received when it debuted at the Summer Game Fest in Los Angeles this past June. Speaking at Gamescom in Cologne, Desilets described the moment as deeply emotional, signifying the conclusion of a “very personal” struggle.

Developed by a team of around 70 at Desilets’ Montreal-based Panache Digital Games, “1666: Amsterdam” allows players to control a witch navigating through multiple time periods—1666, 1999, and the present day. The first two chapters were released in early access for PC on August 25, with the final product expected to include approximately a dozen chapters. While no sales data or projections have been disclosed, Desilets expressed satisfaction with the initial response to the game.

The concept for “1666: Amsterdam” originated during a 2011 trip to Amsterdam, shortly after Desilets departed from Ubisoft, where he had led the development of major titles including “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” and the first two “Assassin’s Creed” installments. Seeking greater creative freedom after “certain frustrations,” he joined THQ Montreal and began work on the project. However, the studio declared bankruptcy in 2013 and was subsequently acquired by Ubisoft, leading to Desilets’ dismissal. Years of legal battles ensued before he regained the rights to the game in 2016.

During the interim, Desilets focused on another title, “Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey,” released in 2019. Production of “1666: Amsterdam” resumed but faced delays amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The game has drawn some criticism for the use of generative artificial intelligence in parts of its environment during pre-production phases. Desilets acknowledged this use but emphasized that those AI-generated elements appeared only in the prologue and have since been completely removed. He stated that his team no longer employs AI in development.

Coincidentally, Ubisoft is reportedly developing a new installment in its “Assassin’s Creed” franchise titled “Hexe,” reportedly also set during the European witch hunts. Desilets commented wryly that Ubisoft’s interest in the subject matter was to be welcomed.

Looking ahead, Desilets expressed a long-term commitment to game development, comparing his ambition to that of Clint Eastwood’s enduring film career. When asked about returning to the “Assassin’s Creed” series, he responded categorically that he would not. “I’m independent, I have my own studio. That time is kind of over,” he said, signaling a clear break from his past successes to pursue new creative directions.

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