Assassin’s Creed Creator’s Next Game Launches in Just Two Weeks

While players may still have quite a wait ahead for the occult-themed Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe, a fresh supernatural venture from the mastermind behind the franchise is arriving much sooner. Panache Digital Games has officially announced that the long-awaited 1666: Amsterdam will launch into early access on August 25.

The studio was co-founded by Patrice Désilets, the creative visionary who conceptualized Assassin’s Creed and directed its foundational first two installments. Following a protracted development cycle that initially kicked off at THQ Montreal back in the early 2010s, 1666: Amsterdam finally stepped back into the spotlight with a formal reveal during June’s Summer Game Fest.

Described as a narrative-driven adventure, 1666: Amsterdam unfolds across two distinct eras: 1666 and 1999. Players step into the shoes of a witch uncovering the dark mysteries of historical Amsterdam, accompanied by an unusual feline companion possessed by the consciousness of a man mysteriously pulled from the cusp of the year 2000.

A complimentary playable demo debuted alongside the Summer Game Fest showcase, though initial impressions proved remarkably harsh. “There’s an intriguing premise here, but it simply cannot overcome the abysmal writing and mechanics. After 15 arduous years in development, 1666: Amsterdam desperately needs to return to the drawing board,” noted Polygon reviewer Ford James. Reception wasn’t helped by the team confirming the use of generative AI for select portrait art and promotional materials. However, developers have assured the community that the upcoming early access build and final launch will completely exclude AI-generated assets.

1666: Amsterdam is scheduled to debut on August 25 for Windows PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. In a recent Steam development update, Panache Digital Games shared that the early access version will encompass the opening chapter of the campaign, offering roughly 15 hours of playtime. The studio anticipates the early access phase will span approximately one year, punctuated by several substantial content updates.

1666: Amsterdam is 15 years in the making — and might need 15 more

Source: Polygon