Tag Archives: Assassins Creed

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Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Hits 3 Million Copies — As Ubisoft Barcelona Lays Off 51 Who Made It

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Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced has now sold more than 3 million copies in its first week on sale — a strong follow-up to the 2 million day-one figure reported here on 11 July. That commercial success, however, has been accompanied by a painful postscript: Ubisoft has laid off 51 employees at Ubisoft Barcelona, including members of the team who built the game’s underwater levels, sparking a studio-wide strike that ran from 14 to 16 July 2026.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced — Horizon Launch Trailer — via the official Assassin’s Creed YouTube channel.

3 Million Copies in the First Week

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced standard edition key art
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Ubisoft confirmed the 3 million copies milestone for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced’s first week of sales, building on the record-setting 2 million copies the game shifted on its first day. The remaster — co-developed with lead support from Ubisoft Singapore — launched across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on 3 July 2026.

51 Ubisoft Barcelona Developers Laid Off

Naval combat in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Within days of the sales announcement, Ubisoft informed 51 employees at its Barcelona studio that their roles were being eliminated. Ubisoft’s stated rationale was a strategic refocus: the Barcelona studio is to be redirected toward Rainbow Six projects exclusively, leaving no ongoing role for the staff who worked on Black Flag Resynced.

Among those affected were members of the team directly responsible for the game’s underwater sequences. Tech/gameplay animator Manel Cota described the situation plainly in a public statement: “that same team is being fired right now” after they “did all the underwater levels.”

Strike Spreads to the Entire Studio

Edward Kenway in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

The redundancy announcement triggered an immediate labour response. Workers at Ubisoft Barcelona began a strike on 14 July 2026; by 15 July, action had expanded to include all staff at the studio — not just those directly affected by the layoffs. The strike ran for three days, concluding on 16 July.

As of 18 July 2026, a statutory consultation period is ongoing. No final resolution has been announced. Workers have described the proposed severance packages as “far below” the minimum they expected.

Singapore’s Stake in Black Flag Resynced

Stealth gameplay in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

For Singapore players, the context carries extra weight: Ubisoft Singapore served as the lead co-development studio on Black Flag Resynced, making it the most prominent Singapore-made title in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. The game’s commercial success is a win for the local games industry — though the events in Barcelona are a reminder of the broader tensions in a games sector that has seen significant layoffs globally over the past two years.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced ocean vista with ship
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

The consultation period at Ubisoft Barcelona is expected to conclude in the coming weeks. GameTrader will follow up if a resolution is reached.

Rayman and friends in the Once Upon a Time level from Rayman Legends Retold
Game News

Rayman Legends Retold Gets Surprise Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Crossover Skin Ahead of October Launch

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Ubisoft just dropped a fun surprise for fans of both Rayman and Assassin’s Creed: Rayman Legends Retold will include a playable Edward Kenway skin from Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag — and it’s already confirmed ahead of the game’s October 1, 2026 launch on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

The crossover skin, revealed just hours ago, sees the iconic pirate-assassin dressed in his signature white hood and dual hidden blades leap into the vibrant side-scrolling world of Rayman. It joins previously announced crossover costumes for AstroBot and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — a crossover lineup that spans both PlayStation exclusives and third-party darlings.

Rayman Legends Retold - Once Upon a Time level
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

What Is Rayman Legends Retold?

If you missed the June reveal during PlayStation’s State of Play, here’s the quick brief: Rayman Legends Retold is a reimagined remake of the beloved 2013 platformer, rebuilt from the ground up by Ubisoft Milan and Ubisoft Montpellier. The original game’s gorgeous UbiArt 2D visuals have been replaced with a 2.5D Snowdrop engine presentation — think lush 3D environments viewed from a side-scrolling perspective, peppered with full 3D cinematics.

But it’s not just a visual upgrade. The Retold version brings:

  • A brand-new sixth realm with an original storyline
  • Fully voiced cinematics featuring the returning cast
  • Four new musical stages (in addition to the classic ones)
  • Dragon rides starring Toad and company
  • A new Cave of Trials challenge mode
  • Improved Kung Foot mini-game with new arenas
  • 1–4 player local and online co-op

And here’s the kicker: every copy of Rayman Legends Retold includes Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition for free — the 2011 predecessor rebuilt in 4K/60fps with new collectibles and QoL improvements. That’s two full games in one package.

RAYMAN LEGENDS RETOLD | Reveal Trailer — Ubisoft
Rayman Legends Retold - Dragon Ride featuring Toad
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Editions and Pricing

Three editions are available at launch:

  • Standard Edition — USD $39.99 (~SGD 53–55): Base game + Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition
  • Deluxe Edition: Adds the Retro Pack — four classic costumes (Classic Rayman, Betilla, Retro Hunter, Electoon Teensie) plus an Art Gallery unlock
  • Launch Edition: Includes the Hoodlum Havoc Pack with two Rayman 3-inspired costumes (available for a limited time at launch)

The game is rated E10+ by the ESRB and weighs in at 23.4 GB on Nintendo Switch 2. It will also be available on GeForce Now and Blacknut cloud gaming platforms at launch.

Rayman Legends Retold - Lucha Chase gameplay
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Worth the Wait for Singapore Gamers?

At roughly SGD $53–55 for a package that includes two games, plus a stacked Deluxe Edition and a growing roster of fun crossover skins, Rayman Legends Retold is shaping up to be one of the better-value platformers of 2026. Switch 2 owners in Singapore should note the 23.4 GB download requirement — make sure your microSD card is ready.

Rayman Legends Retold launches October 1, 2026 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Store). Pre-orders are live now.

Game News, News

AC Black Flag Resynced Hits 2 Million Sales in One Day

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Ubisoft’s Singapore-led remake of the beloved pirate adventure has made a stunning commercial debut: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced sold 2 million copies within its first 24 hours of release, making it the fastest-selling entry in the AC franchise in over a decade. The official milestone was confirmed by Ubisoft on 10 July — one day after the game launched on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

As we covered at launch, Black Flag Resynced is a ground-up remake developed primarily by Ubisoft Singapore — the studio with deeper roots in the Caribbean than anyone, having contributed to the original 2013 Black Flag’s ocean simulation and then spent a decade on the ill-fated Skull and Bones. Their full-circle moment has now also become a commercial one.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Edward Kenway overlooking a Caribbean harbour
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Record Steam Numbers for Assassin’s Creed

On Steam alone, Resynced peaked at 99,451 concurrent players on launch day — the highest ever recorded for any Assassin’s Creed title on the platform, surpassing even Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It also topped Twitch on July 9 by viewer count.

Critics backed up the player enthusiasm. Resynced sits at 85% on OpenCritic and 84% on Metacritic, making it the best-reviewed AC game since the original Black Flag — the very game it remakes. Ubisoft Singapore rebuilt the entire experience from scratch in the Anvil engine, with zero code carried over from the 2013 version.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Official Game Overview Trailer — via Assassin’s Creed on YouTube

A Rare Moment of Transparency from Ubisoft

Ubisoft disclosing concrete sales numbers is itself notable. The company stopped publishing unit-sales figures years ago, making this the first time it has shared a specific number for an AC game since the original Black Flag sold over 11 million copies back in 2013. Whether intentional PR or a sign of renewed confidence, the disclosure reflects just how strong a launch this has been.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Edward Kenway at the Jackdaw's helm
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

The Microtransaction Caveat

The launch has not been entirely smooth. Steam user reviews have landed at Mixed, with a significant number of players unhappy about optional microtransactions bolted onto what is a premium-priced title. Ubisoft has defended the base game as “the full, complete experience” with the paid add-ons sitting outside the core campaign — but the pushback is real, and Singapore players who have already bought into the game report that the optional DLC does not affect the story.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Edward diving through a coral reef wreck
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Still Worth It for Singapore Players?

The critical consensus and commercial result suggest yes — and the Ubisoft Singapore angle makes it meaningful locally. Few games this generation carry a “Made in Singapore” stamp as prominently as this one, and the studio’s work has clearly resonated globally. If you have been on the fence, AC Black Flag Resynced is available now on Steam and at local game retailers and electronics chains.

For more game news, check out the latest on our game news page.

Game News, Singapore Gaming Scene

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Is Out Now — Made by Ubisoft Singapore

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Singapore gamers have extra reason to celebrate today — Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, the fully rebuilt remake of the fan-favourite pirate chapter, is out now on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with the PC version unlocking at 10 PM SGT tonight. The kicker: this remake was led by Ubisoft Singapore. Standard Edition on Steam is S$79.90.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Official Game Overview Trailer — via Assassin’s Creed on YouTube

A Singapore Studio Behind a AAA Remake

Ubisoft Singapore led development of Black Flag Resynced, with many of the original game’s developers returning to the project — making this one of the highest-profile AAA titles to be helmed out of our local game development scene. The remake is built on the latest version of Ubisoft’s Anvil Engine, the same foundation that powers the current-generation AC titles.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — character and environment gameplay
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

The original Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) remains one of the most beloved entries in the series, celebrated for its open-world Caribbean pirate setting, Edward Kenway’s charismatic arc, and its defining naval combat. Resynced is a faithful recreation of that game, not a sequel or reimagining — but it arrives with a comprehensive suite of modernisation.

What Ubisoft Singapore Has Rebuilt

Across combat, movement, stealth, and the world itself, nearly every system has been touched. Combat shifts to a reworked parry-driven model with visceral takedowns. The stealth toolkit gains an Observe mode for pre-engagement scouting, plus the freedom to crouch or dive from any position. Parkour adds manual jumps and side ejects for more deliberate traversal.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — stealth and combat mechanics
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Dynamic weather reshapes both fights and exploration, while destructible environmental objects add consequence to encounters. New storylines have been written for Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, giving fan-favourite characters expanded arcs. Matt Ryan returns to voice Edward Kenway with the original cast in tow, and the game gains a photo mode alongside ship customisation that now extends to pet companions on the Jackdaw.

Naval Combat Gets a Complete Overhaul

The Jackdaw’s Caribbean dominance is back — and it’s been rebuilt from the hull up. Secondary weapons are now part of your naval arsenal, and newly recruitable officers bring special abilities into fleet battles. The vessel itself can be customised more extensively than before, and the soundscape gains ten new sea shanties plus an original song reimagined by French composer Woodkid.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — naval combat and the Jackdaw
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Crucially, Ubisoft has confirmed this is not an RPG. The stat-heavy mechanics introduced in Odyssey and Valhalla are absent — Resynced keeps the original’s tight, narrative-driven pace. If you stepped away from the series during its RPG era, this is built with you in mind.

Editions and Pricing for Singapore

The Standard Edition is available on Steam SG at S$79.90. Deluxe and Collector’s Edition tiers are available at higher price points — check the Steam listing or the Ubisoft Store for current SGD pricing on those. The game is also sold through the Epic Games Store on PC, and physical copies for PS5 are available at major game retailers and electronics chains.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — open world exploration
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Release timing for Singapore: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players can jump in now — console versions unlocked at local midnight. PC launches globally at 2 PM UTC (14:00 UTC), which for Singapore means the game goes live at 10 PM SGT tonight. Ubisoft Connect streaming is also available via Nvidia GeForce Now and Blacknut.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — cinematic scene
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Whether you’re revisiting a classic or discovering Edward Kenway for the first time, Black Flag Resynced is a major showcase of what Singapore’s games industry can ship. Follow our Singapore gaming scene coverage and game news for more on what’s landing locally this week.

Game News

AC Black Flag Resynced Launches 9 July — Made in Singapore

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One of the most beloved games in the Assassin’s Creed series is back — and this time, it was rebuilt from scratch right here in Singapore. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launches on 9 July 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, marking Ubisoft’s very first full remake and a genuine milestone for the Ubisoft Singapore studio that led development.

Ubisoft Singapore’s Home-Grown Remake

Edward Kenway surveys a Caribbean town from a rooftop in AC Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Ubisoft Singapore has been part of the Assassin’s Creed franchise for over a decade, but Black Flag Resynced is its most ambitious undertaking yet. The Singapore studio spearheaded the project, with 14 other Ubisoft studios lending support — a truly global production anchored right in our backyard at one-north.

The reason Black Flag was chosen is deeply personal for the team. As Game Director Richard Knight explained in an interview with Geek Culture, “It’s got a great, iconic character in Edward that people love for various reasons, it’s got two different types of gameplay, and then specifically for Ubisoft Singapore, we have all these people that worked on the original game and have the experience with water tech and naval gameplay.” Many of the developers who shipped the original 2013 Black Flag are back on this remake — bringing 13 years of hard-won expertise to what is already Ubisoft’s signature pirate adventure.

The Singapore team’s water rendering and naval simulation technology, refined through multiple AC titles and Skull and Bones, gives Black Flag Resynced some of the most convincing ocean physics in any open-world game to date.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Official Game Overview Trailer — via Assassin’s Creed on YouTube

Combat and Stealth — Rebuilt, Not Recycled

Edward Kenway parries a sword strike in close combat during a rainstorm
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

The original Black Flag’s combat was functional but dated — mash counter, repeat. Resynced throws that formula out entirely. A new parry-driven system rewards timing and positioning rather than button-mashing, with inspiration drawn from the fighting-game genre to give each clash a sense of real skill expression. Knight told Gamereactor: “We totally changed the combat, but we hope it still gives the same spirit of the original, except now with more of a skills expression system.”

Stealth has been overhauled just as thoroughly. Edward can now crouch anywhere and dive into water from any ledge — no more hunting for the right perch to start a hideout assault. A new “observe mode” lets you tag enemies before engaging, bringing the stealth toolkit much closer to recent mainline entries like Shadows. Parkour has also been modernised with manual jumps and side-eject moves, giving the freerunning a sharper feel on tighter rooftops.

Crucially, the story remains intact. Lead Producer Justin Ng confirmed in the Geek Culture interview: “The first thing we did was to ensure everything in the original was kept in terms of narrative. The story of Stede, Adéwalé, those things are basically one-to-one with the original.” Voice actor Matt Ryan has also returned to record new lines as Edward Kenway.

Naval Combat — Ubisoft Singapore’s Speciality

Two tall ships exchange cannon fire on a dramatic sunset sea in AC Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Predictably, this is where Ubisoft Singapore really shines. Naval combat has received a thorough rework: new secondary weapons, a fresh officers system for the Jackdaw, expanded ship customisation including pet companions for the deck, and 10 additional sea shanties to hum while you blast galleons into splinters. The Jackdaw’s hull groans and splinters under fire with new destructible environmental objects; dynamic weather now rolls in mid-battle, turning a routine escort into a frantic storm survival.

Raytraced global illumination and reflections — running on the same Anvil engine that powered Assassin’s Creed Shadows — make the water shimmer and the cannonball smoke billow in ways the 2013 original simply could not manage.

Editions, Pricing, and How to Pick It Up

Edward Kenway stands at the prow of his ship gazing at a tropical island cove
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Three editions are available at launch:

  • Standard Edition — US$59.99 (PS5, Xbox, PC)
  • Deluxe Edition — US$69.99 — adds the Master Assassin Character Pack and Naval Pack (digital-only)
  • Collector’s Edition — US$199.99 — includes an Edward Kenway figurine, metal brooch, SteelBook, cloth map, and all digital content

SGD pricing is to be confirmed at local retail; major game retailers and electronics chains across Singapore should have copies available from 9 July. The game is also accessible via Ubisoft+ subscription. Pre-orders come with the Blackbeard’s Crimson pack — a themed pistol, sword, and Edward costume.

For Singapore players on PS5, this is one to watch. Ubisoft Singapore built the naval bones of the original Black Flag more than a decade ago, and Resynced is the studio’s definitive statement on what that game should have been. The remake lands this Thursday — check our game news section for our full coverage as launch day approaches.

Game News, Singapore Gaming Scene

Black Flag Resynced Out July 9 — Led by Ubisoft Singapore

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Five days from now, Edward Kenway weighs anchor again — and the crew that rebuilt his story is based right here in Singapore. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launches on 9 July 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and it marks the first full remake in Ubisoft’s history.

Black Flag Resynced and Ubisoft Singapore’s Naval Legacy

The decision to assign the remake to Ubisoft Singapore is one with deep roots. The Singapore studio has spent years developing water rendering and naval gameplay systems on the Anvil engine — the same engine powering Assassin’s Creed Shadows — which makes Black Flag’s Caribbean world a natural fit for the team’s expertise.

“Ubisoft Singapore not only has a history of working on water tech through Anvil, we have a history with naval gameplay and stuff,” Creative Director Paul Fu told Game Informer. “When you put all those things together, it’s like, ‘Yeah, why not take a stab at it with Black Flag?’ It actually makes a lot of sense to try.”

Singapore leads a global co-development team spanning Ubisoft studios in Montreal, Barcelona, Belgrade, Bordeaux, Bucharest, Chengdu, Da Nang, India, Kyiv, Montpellier, Philippines, Quebec, Shanghai, and Sofia. The project puts Singapore at the creative centre of what is unambiguously a tentpole release for one of gaming’s biggest franchises.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Official Game Overview Trailer — via Assassin’s Creed on YouTube

Rebuilt Visuals — What the Anvil Engine Delivers

This is a ground-up rebuild, not a remaster. Ray-traced global illumination, micropolygon rendering, Atmos-driven dynamic weather, and modernised water physics replace the original’s 2013 visuals entirely. On PS5 three display modes are available: Performance (60fps, standard RT), Balance (40fps, enhanced RT), and High Quality (30fps, enhanced RT). PS5 Pro players get enhanced PSSR upscaling across all three. Xbox Series X matches the PS5 options; Xbox Series S runs at 30fps and 1620p. PC requires a 65 GB SSD and Windows 11, scaling from a GTX 1660 at 1080p/30fps up to RTX 4090 for 4K/60fps ultra.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — rebuilt visuals on PS5 and PC
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

What’s New in Black Flag Resynced — Stealth, Combat and Naval

The remake adds substantive gameplay changes across the board. Stealth gets crouch-anywhere and dive-anywhere movement plus an observe mode for tagging enemies before moving in. Combat introduces a parry-driven system with new takedown animations. Naval combat expands with shrapnel barrels, 8-pounder cannons, new Jackdaw officers with special abilities, and a reworked Kenway’s Fleet for passive income generation. Ship customisation adds pets and skins to the Jackdaw. Ten new sea shanties have been recorded, and GRAMMY-nominated artist Woodkid is contributing a reimagined track — details due later in 2026.

Naval combat and gameplay in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Matt Ryan Returns as Edward Kenway

The original voice actor Matt Ryan has returned to record new lines for the remake. Additional missions and scenes expand the story around fan-favourite characters — Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack all get more to do. The Deluxe Edition (US$69.99, digital only) bundles the Master Assassin Character Pack and Naval Pack alongside the base game. Pre-orders across all editions include Blackbeard’s Crimson Pack: an exclusive Edward Kenway costume with matched swords and a pistol set.

Edward Kenway in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Editions, Platforms and Singapore Availability

Three editions launch on 9 July:

  • Standard Edition — US$59.99 (physical and digital)
  • Deluxe Edition — US$69.99 (digital only, includes Master Assassin Character Pack and Naval Pack)
  • Collector’s Edition — US$199.99 (Edward figurine, metal brooch, SteelBook, cloth map)

Platforms: PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect. Cloud streaming is available on Nvidia GeForce Now and Blacknut. SGD pricing through the PlayStation Store SG and local retailers is to be confirmed — check major game retailers and electronics chains in the run-up to 9 July. For more upcoming game news, we will have more coverage as the launch approaches.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Caribbean pirate adventure
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Game News

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Drops July 9 — Built by Ubisoft Singapore

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One week from now, a game built right here in Singapore drops on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced — the first true from-the-ground-up remake in Ubisoft history — is the work of Ubisoft Singapore, and it launches on 9 July 2026.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Official Game Overview Trailer — via Assassin’s Creed on YouTube

A Singapore Studio Takes the Helm

This isn’t a remaster handed to an external team. Ubisoft Singapore — the studio that has spent years building out Anvil engine’s water and naval systems across multiple Assassin’s Creed titles — pitched and led the entire project from day one.

Creative Director Paul Fu explained the logic in an interview with Game Informer: “Ubisoft Singapore not only has a history of working on water tech through Anvil, we have a history with naval gameplay and stuff, so when you put all those things together, it’s like, ‘Yeah, why not take a stab at it with Black Flag?’ It actually makes a lot of sense to try.”

Game Director Richard Knight echoed that sense of purpose: “With Black Flag Resynced, we set out to reconnect with the heart of Black Flag. From the start, the intention was clear: deliver a faithful and enriched experience,” as reported by MobileSyrup.

Edward Kenway perched on a rooftop overlooking a sunlit Caribbean town in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

The remake runs on the same Anvil engine build used for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, with zero legacy code carried over from the 2013 original. Every system — combat, parkour, naval, AI — has been rebuilt from scratch.

Bigger Story, Bolder Characters

The core narrative of Edward Kenway’s Caribbean piracy is left intact, but Ubisoft Singapore has layered in new content for fan-favourite supporting cast. Original lead writer Darby McDevitt returned to pen two new scenes and revise an existing one, and new quest lines expand the stories of Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet — both of whom previously exited the narrative off-screen.

Lead Producer Justin Ng spoke to Press Start about the process: “The first thing we did was to ensure everything in the original was kept in terms of narrative. The story of Stede, Adéwalé, those things are basically one-to-one with the original. We worked together working out what more we could add to wrap up some of their stories, because some of the characters died off-screen or there were more things that we wanted to say.”

The modern-day Animus framing has also been reworked, replaced with “What If?” scenario rifts that keep players in the Caribbean without the tonal whiplash of the 2013 version. Ng added a candid note about the pressure of the project: “A joke I tell the team is that I used to have black hair and now it’s 50% white because of the stress.”

Edward Kenway in close-quarters combat in the rain in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Gameplay Overhauls: Combat, Stealth, and Parkour

Nearly every mechanical system has been touched. Combat is faster and more fluid, with a new parry-and-riposte system and visceral takedown animations. Stealth benefits from a long-requested crouch-anywhere mechanic and a dive-anywhere option near water. The tailing and eavesdropping missions that punished players with instant-fail states in 2013 have been reworked — no more restarting a sequence because an NPC clipped through your route.

Parkour has new animations and smoother transitions, and Edward now has access to most of his action tools early in the game rather than gating them behind story progression. The full campaign is playable offline after download.

Naval Combat Evolved

This is where Ubisoft Singapore’s expertise shines hardest. The Jackdaw now comes with new officer companions, ship pets, and 10 new sea shanties on top of the original tracklist. Naval combat adds secondary weapons including shrapnel barrels and 8-pounders, and a dynamic weather system — fog banks, storms, shifting winds — affects both visibility and manoeuvring during engagements.

Two tall ships exchanging cannon fire on the open Caribbean sea in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

On the visual side, ray tracing and micropolygon rendering push the water, weather, and lighting to a level the original 2013 hardware could never have achieved. The PS5 version targets 60 FPS with ray tracing enabled; a PS5 Pro mode is also confirmed.

Editions, Pricing, and Where to Get It

Black Flag Resynced launches on 9 July 2026 in three editions:

  • Standard Edition — US$59.99 (digital & physical)
  • Deluxe Edition — US$69.99 (includes Blackbeard’s Crimson weapons and costume pack)
  • Collector’s Edition — US$199.99

The game is available on Steam, the Ubisoft Store, Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It is also included with Ubisoft+ from day one. Regional pricing in SGD will vary by platform — check the PS Store or Steam’s Singapore storefront for local rates. Pre-ordering either digital edition unlocks the Blackbeard’s Crimson Pack at no extra cost.

Edward Kenway standing at the bow of the Jackdaw approaching a secluded Caribbean cove in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

For fans who have watched Singapore’s game development scene grow over the past decade, Black Flag Resynced is a milestone — a Singapore studio leading Ubisoft’s first-ever ground-up remake of a franchise flagship title. Whether you played the original or are coming in fresh, it’s one to watch when it hits your platform on 9 July. Find more upcoming game news here.

Game News, Singapore Gaming Scene

AC Black Flag Resynced: Made in Singapore, Out July 9

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Set sail one more time — and this time, the crew behind the wheel is right here in Singapore. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, the first full remake Ubisoft has ever produced, is arriving on July 9, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. And it was built, from the keel up, by Ubisoft Singapore.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Official Summer Game Fest Trailer — via Assassin’s Creed on YouTube

A Singapore Studio Takes on Ubisoft’s First-Ever Remake

Ubisoft Singapore wasn’t just a support studio this time. The team here led development of Black Flag Resynced as the primary developer — the first time a Singapore-based studio has helmed a major AAA remake for a global publisher. The original 2013 Black Flag was itself co-developed in Singapore, which makes this a full-circle moment: the studio that helped define those iconic naval battles a decade ago is now rebuilding them from scratch.

The entire game has been reconstructed on the latest evolution of Ubisoft’s Anvil engine, with ray-traced global illumination, realistic water simulation, and support for DLSS 4.5 upscaling. Consoles get a 60 FPS performance mode, and the Caribbean has never looked wetter — dynamic weather now affects visibility and combat, with storms rolling in mid-fight and swells that actually move the Jackdaw.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — official key art
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Gameplay: Rebuilt Stealth, Parries, and Piracy

The gameplay changes go well beyond a fresh coat of paint. Stealth has been reworked so Edward can crouch anywhere and dive underwater anywhere — no more frustrating spots where the game locks you out of cover. A new observe mode replaces the old tailing missions, which previously caused an immediate mission failure if spotted. Now guards can clock you and you still have a window to recover, which makes the mission design feel far less punishing.

Combat leans into precise swordplay: parrying is now the core of every duel, combo chains are shorter and snappier, and the Hidden Blade has been pulled from standard combat to be used only in stealth takedowns and contextual kills. Naval combat gets new secondary weapons including shrapnel barrels, and the expanded parkour system makes getting around Havana and Nassau feel noticeably smoother.

Naval combat in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

New Story Content — Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet, and 10 New Shanties

Returning Edward Kenway voice actor Matt Ryan reprises the role for the remake, including new additional missions and scenes written specifically for Resynced. The expanded story gives dedicated screen time to fan-favourite historical figures: Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet each get new origin missions, and three new named officers join the Jackdaw crew, each with their own unique storylines.

The soundtrack grows too — 10 new sea shanties have been added to the roster, and the Jackdaw gets new customisation options including cosmetic skins, pets, and additional ship upgrades. The modern-day interlude sections from the 2013 original have been replaced entirely by optional narrative-driven “What If?” scenarios, keeping the focus firmly on Edward’s Caribbean adventure.

Editions, Pricing, and Pre-Order Bonus

Pre-orders are open now across PlayStation Store, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Ubisoft Store:

  • Standard Edition — US$59.99
  • Deluxe Edition — US$69.99 (includes character and naval cosmetic packs)
  • Collector’s Edition — US$199.99 (31 cm Edward figurine, leather logbook, metal brooch, steelbook, artbook, map poster)

Anyone who pre-orders any edition receives Blackbeard’s Crimson Pack: an exclusive costume for Edward, plus matching swords and pistols. SGD pricing via local retailers is to be confirmed — check the PlayStation SG store or your preferred retailer closer to launch.

Last Words

Singapore gamers, we genuinely have something to be proud of here. A local studio — Ubisoft Singapore — just delivered Ubisoft’s first-ever remake of a major franchise entry, and from the Summer Game Fest footage, it looks every bit the send-off Edward Kenway deserves. With a July 9 launch less than a month away, now is a great time to put in that pre-order. Check out more game news on GameTrader.SG for the latest on what’s dropping this season.

Game News, News

Ubisoft Singapore Leads AC Black Flag Resynced — Out 9 July

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Singapore’s own Ubisoft studio is the lead developer behind one of 2026’s most anticipated action-adventure releases, and the wait is almost over. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Ubisoft’s first-ever ground-up remake, launches on 9 July 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC — and it was built right here in Singapore.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced: Official Summer Game Fest Trailer — via Assassin's Creed on YouTube

What Is Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced?

This is not a remaster — Ubisoft is emphatic about that distinction. Black Flag Resynced has been rebuilt from scratch in the latest Anvil engine with zero code carried over from the original 2013 game. The result is a full reimagining of the beloved pirate adventure: ray-traced visuals, Dolby Atmos audio, seamless open-world environments with no loading screens, and a raft of new gameplay mechanics that bring the decade-old classic firmly into 2026.

The story follows pirate-assassin Edward Kenway across the Caribbean, with the original narrative intact and meaningfully expanded. Original voice actor Matt Ryan returns as Edward, while original writer Darby McDevitt has penned brand-new scenes for supporting characters — including a new chapter featuring Edward’s wife.

Ubisoft Singapore at the Helm

Edward Kenway overlooking the Caribbean in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

For Singapore gamers, there is a genuine local-pride angle here. Ubisoft Singapore — a key collaborator on the naval systems of the original Black Flag — was chosen to lead the remake, and the studio has left its mark on the game’s biggest upgrades. Creative directors Richard Knight and Paul Fu have spoken about wanting to “reconnect with the heart of Black Flag”: building something faithful to the original while making it worthy of today’s hardware.

This is also the first ground-up remake in Ubisoft’s entire publishing history, making Black Flag Resynced a landmark release for the company — and, by extension, a major milestone for Ubisoft Singapore.

AC Black Flag Resynced: Combat, Stealth and Naval Overhaul

Combat and Stealth

The original game’s older, button-mashing combat has been replaced by a parry-driven system that rewards timing and delivers more visceral takedowns. Edward can now crouch at any time, opening up proper stealth routes mid-mission. A new Observe Mode lets players scan the environment, tag enemies, and track objectives — a quality-of-life feature the original Black Flag badly needed.

Tailing and eavesdropping missions, often the most frustrating sequences in the 2013 original, have been redesigned: getting spotted no longer triggers an instant mission fail, removing the rage-inducing hard restarts many players remember.

Naval Combat

Naval combat with the Jackdaw in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

The Jackdaw has been given a full overhaul. New secondary weapons expand your options at sea, enemy ships now belong to factions with alliances and rivalries that affect how they behave in battle, and you can recruit three officers, each with unique abilities and dedicated side quests. Ten new sea shanties join the already legendary sailing soundtrack, and ship pets — cats and monkeys — add a welcome dose of character.

The showpiece of the naval rework is the dynamic weather system built by Ubisoft Singapore: storms now affect wave physics, wind direction, and enemy ship behaviour, ensuring no two sea battles play out the same way.

Editions, Pricing and Pre-orders

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launches globally on 9 July 2026 across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (available via the Ubisoft Store, Epic Games Store, and Steam). Three editions are available at launch: Standard, Deluxe (with additional content), and Collector’s Edition. Pre-orders are live now — head to Ubisoft’s Singapore storefront for local pricing. The game is also included in Ubisoft+ on day one for subscribers.

Last Words

It is not often that a Singapore studio gets to lead a flagship AAA release of this scale. Ubisoft Singapore’s nautical expertise helped make the original Black Flag one of the most beloved games of its era — and with the remake, the team gets full credit for that legacy. For Singapore gamers, this is worth picking up on principle alone, but fortunately the rebuilt mechanics and modern visuals make it worth every dollar regardless of nostalgia. Mark 9 July in your calendar. Check out our other gaming news while you count down.