Ubisoft Appoints Senior Developers from Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag to Drive Future of Assassin’s Creed Franchise

Ubisoft’s Major Revamp: New Leadership for Assassin’s Creed

Following a significant restructuring at Ubisoft, which included a declared “major reset”, the gaming giant is altering its course. The establishment of Vantage Studios and the departure of long-time executive Marc-Alexis Côté from the helm of the Assassin’s Creed franchise have been pivotal moments in this transition.

Meet the New Leadership Team

In a recent announcement, Ubisoft introduced a trio of seasoned Assassin’s Creed veterans who will lead the franchise moving forward:

Martin Schelling – Newly appointed as the head of the brand, Schelling has been with Ubisoft since 2003 and has been involved with the AC series since AC: Revelations, where he served as a producer. His role has evolved over the years from producer on AC IV: Black Flag to senior producer on AC: Origins and AC: Valhalla. Most recently, he held the position of chief production officer.
Jean Guesdon – Now the head of content for the franchise, Guesdon is a familiar face to series fans as the creative director behind AC IV: Black Flag and AC: Origins. After a brief hiatus from Ubisoft, where he gained experience as senior creative director at Behavior Interactive, he returned in 2024 to take on the role of director of strategic visualization before stepping into his current position.
François de Billy – Appointed as the head of production excellence, de Billy’s journey with Ubisoft spans back to 2001, when he contributed to the first Splinter Cell game. His extensive history with the Assassin’s Creed franchise includes key roles on numerous entries, from production manager on the inaugural title to his recent appointment as global senior production director since 2021.

Image credit: Ubisoft

Voices from the Leadership

In a heartfelt message shared on the Assassin’s Creed Reddit page, Guesdon expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the franchise, stating, “It is wonderful to be back after all these years. Assassin’s Creed has been a defining part of my professional life and being back feels like coming home. This universe, these characters, these worlds, and of course the community have always meant so much to me.”

He added, “I’m especially grateful to be sharing this journey with all of you again, and look forward to sharing more about the next steps ahead for the franchise. Until then… Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted.”

Looking Ahead

Despite facing numerous challenges, the Assassin’s Creed franchise remains Ubisoft’s leading source of revenue. Entrusting its future to a leadership team with deep-rooted familiarity and previous contributions to the series implies a promising outlook. The hope is that this new structure will foster innovation and reinvigorate the franchise, paving the way for exciting developments in the years to come.

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