Assassin's Creed Hexe, the dark stealth game set during 16th century European witch trials, may be undergoing significant changes behind the scenes. According to prominent AC leaker j0nathan, new head of content Jean Guesdon is removing all mystical and magical features from the game — including a previously leaked ability that allowed protagonist Elsa to possess a cat, using it to distract guards and access otherwise unreachable areas. The reported changes come after a turbulent period of leadership shifts at Ubisoft, with creative director Clint Hocking departing the company in late February without explanation, followed shortly by game director Benoit Richer leaving to join Servo Games. Guesdon is now fully in charge of the project and appears to be steering it in a noticeably different direction.The game was first revealed at Ubisoft Forward in September 2022 alongside several other Assassin's Creed titles, with its haunting footage of a hooded figure interrupting a witch burning generating significant excitement. Earlier leaks had painted a picture of a revenge-driven story following Elsa, whose mother was executed on suspicion of witchcraft, with supernatural powers woven into the gameplay.

If j0nathan's report is accurate, that supernatural layer is being stripped out entirely, leaving what would be a more grounded stealth experience rooted in the historical setting. Guesdon has previous form to draw on — he served as creative director for both Black Flag and Origins, two of the most beloved entries in the franchise.