"I Didn't Make the Decision to Leave"
The recent departure of Marc-Alexis Côté, the former head of the Assassin's Creed series, has stirred quite a conversation, particularly because it wasn’t a choice that he made himself.
In a candid LinkedIn post, Côté addressed the circumstances surrounding his unexpected exit from Ubisoft, emphasizing that he harbors no resentment but wants to clarify to his colleagues and fans that he did not voluntarily walk away from the franchise he has dedicated 15 years to.
His announcement came as a surprise earlier this week, especially following the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, one of the many ambitious projects he helped to unveil as the franchise embarked on a new chapter.
In an internal email circulated among Ubisoft employees, which was reviewed by IGN, Côté’s departure was communicated with minimal explanation. It suggested that Vantage Studios, the newly established Tencent-backed division overseeing Assassin's Creed projects, required a leadership team that closely aligns with its strategic objectives.
Reports indicate that Côté was extended an offer for a different position within Vantage Studios’ leadership but chose not to accept it—something he reaffirmed in his statement.
"Many of you expressed surprise at my decision to leave Assassin’s Creed after so many years, especially since my passion for it remains strong," Côté shared candidly. "However, it’s important to understand that the decision was not mine to make.
"Ubisoft opted to shift the leadership of the Assassin’s Creed franchise to someone who fits better within the new organizational framework. While another role was suggested, it lacked the same scope, responsibilities, or continuity with the significant work I had been managing in recent years."
Côté went on to express his gratitude for the time spent at Ubisoft, describing it as his home throughout his professional life. His heartfelt tribute to his colleagues and the shared belief in creating inspiring worlds resonated deeply: "But to be perfectly clear, I want to state without ambiguity: I did not leave this position of my own volition. I remained on board until Ubisoft requested that I step aside.
"I've always seen myself as the captain of the Assassin's Creed ship—one who only departs once every soul on board is secure. That’s precisely what I committed to for as long as I was able."
Côté’s journey with Ubisoft began back in 2005 as a software engineer, leading him to the Assassin’s Creed series in time for the development of Brotherhood. He progressively took on more significant roles, contributing to projects like Assassin's Creed 3, Black Flag DLC, Syndicate, and Odyssey, where he ultimately served as a senior producer.
In March 2022, as Ubisoft sought to unify the series under a singular creative vision, Côté stepped up to lead the overall development of Assassin's Creed. He was instrumental in outlining plans for the future of the franchise, including exciting projects like Shadows, the upcoming witchcraft-themed Assassin's Creed Hexe, and a new multiplayer initiative. Notably, Côté defended the series and its developers last December amid widespread public discourse surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows.
Looking ahead, Ubisoft is anticipated to appoint a new franchise lead for Assassin's Creed in the near future, especially with an exciting 2026 on the horizon, packed with further launches related to Shadows and the much-anticipated reveal of a Black Flag remake.
