Former Assassin's Creed Executive Departed: 'Ubisoft Asked Me to Step Aside' After 15 Years of Dedication
Marc-Alexis Côté, the former boss of Assassin's Creed, has revealed that his abrupt departure from Ubisoft was not a personal choice. In a recent LinkedIn post, Côté expressed his gratitude for his time at Ubisoft, emphasizing that he did not walk away from the franchise after 15 years of service.
The announcement of Côté's departure came as a surprise, especially after the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows. The internal email informing staff of his departure stated that Vantage Studios, a new Tencent-backed business unit, required a leadership team aligned with its core goals. This contradicts Côté's statement, indicating that Ubisoft made the decision to transfer his leadership role.
Côté's passion for the franchise is evident in his words: "Many of you have expressed surprise that I would choose to leave Assassin’s Creed after so many years, especially given the passion I still hold for it. The truth is simple: I did not make that choice."
He further clarifies, "Ubisoft decided to transfer the leadership of the Assassin’s Creed franchise to someone closer to its new organizational structure. A different position was mentioned, but it did not carry the same scope, mandate, or continuity with the work I had been entrusted with in recent years."
Despite the unexpected nature of his departure, Côté maintains a positive outlook, stating, "I want to be clear that I hold no resentment. Ubisoft has been my home for all my professional life, and I will always be grateful for the people, the projects, and the belief that together we could create worlds that inspire millions."
Côté's journey with Assassin's Creed began in 2005 as a software engineer, and he played a pivotal role in the series' success, taking on senior producer roles for Assassin's Creed 3, Black Flag DLC Freedom Cry, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, and Assassin's Creed Odyssey. In March 2022, he took on the lead overall development role, shaping the franchise's future with plans for multiple projects, including Shadows and a witchcraft-focused Assassin's Creed Hexe.
As Ubisoft seeks a new leader for the Assassin's Creed franchise, Côté's departure leaves a significant void. The upcoming months will be crucial, with the franchise's future in the balance, especially with the highly anticipated Black Flag remake and further additions to Shadows.
