Xbox reportedly funded the creator of Assassin’s Creed’s next game — before pulling out: Was it a missed opportunity?
According to a GameFile report, Xbox had been funding 1666: Amsterdam, a new game being developed by Patrice Désilets, the legendary lead creator behind the Assassin’s Creed franchise. However, Microsoft subsequently withdrew its financial support for the project, marking another instance of Xbox reversing its funding commitments.
1666: Amsterdam is a story-driven, third-person action adventure game that spans multiple time periods, offering an ambitious narrative experience. Despite losing Xbox’s backing, development continues and the game remains on track for release.
The funding withdrawal follows a similar pattern with other high-profile developers. Notably, Xbox reportedly met with legendary game designer John Romero about a potential game project before cancelling support just a day later, suggesting a pattern of quick reversals in funding decisions.
The decision raises questions about Xbox’s strategic approach to third-party funding and whether the company may have missed an opportunity to publish a significant title from a creator with an exceptional pedigree in the industry.