Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag — released in 2013 and widely considered one of the best games in the franchise — has been the subject of persistent remake and sequel rumors for years. In 2025, those rumors intensified significantly. This guide covers everything officially confirmed and credibly rumored about an AC Black Flag remake and sequel, what Ubisoft has actually said, where you can play the original right now, and which platforms it is available on in 2026.
For the best Assassin’s Creed games to play on PS5 right now, see our guide to the best RPG games on PS4 and PS5 — covering AC Odyssey, AC Origins, AC Mirage, and the best action RPGs on PlayStation.
Is There an Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake? What Ubisoft Has Said
Ubisoft has not officially announced an Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake as of mid-2026. What has happened is a series of leaks, insider reports, and Ubisoft job postings that have fueled significant speculation — but no official trailer, no official release date, and no official confirmation from Ubisoft.
The remake speculation gained significant momentum in 2024-2025 from several specific sources:
- Ubisoft job postings: Multiple job listings at Ubisoft Singapore — the studio that assisted on AC4 Black Flag’s original development — referenced working on a ‘reimagining’ of a ‘beloved title’ in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. These listings were widely interpreted as pointing toward Black Flag.
- Industry leakers: Several gaming industry insiders with established track records reported that an AC Black Flag remake was in active development at Ubisoft. These reports were consistent in naming the title but varied on scope — some described it as a full remake, others as a remaster with significant enhancements.
- Ubisoft Forward events: Black Flag was conspicuously absent from Ubisoft’s recent showcase announcements, which some analysts interpret as deliberate — holding back a major announcement — and others as simply not being ready to reveal.
| Status | Detail |
| Official announcement | ❌ Not announced as of July 2026 |
| Official release date | ❌ None confirmed |
| Official trailer | ❌ None released |
| Credible leaks | ✅ Multiple insiders report it is in development |
| Developer rumored | Ubisoft Singapore (original AC4 co-developer) |
| Scope rumored | Full remake — not just a remaster |
| Estimated reveal window | 2026-2027 based on current leak timelines |
AC Black Flag Sequel: What We Know
Separate from the remake question, searches for an Assassin’s Creed Black Flag sequel reflect long-standing fan interest in a continuation of Edward Kenway’s story or a return to the pirate setting. The situation is clearer here: no AC Black Flag direct sequel exists or has been officially announced.
The closest the franchise has come to revisiting the Black Flag formula was AC Rogue (2014), which used the same naval combat engine and was set in the same era. AC Odyssey (2018) and AC Valhalla (2020) moved toward a larger open-world RPG structure that moved away from the focused piracy gameplay of Black Flag. AC Mirage (2023) was a deliberate return to a smaller, more focused experience — but set in 9th century Baghdad rather than the Caribbean.
AC Infinity — Ubisoft’s evolving live-service framework for the Assassin’s Creed franchise — is the current structure within which future AC titles will be released. Whether a Black Flag remake or spiritual sequel fits within this framework or ships as a standalone title has not been confirmed.
What Would an AC Black Flag Remake Include?
Based on leak descriptions and precedent from other high-profile remakes (Resident Evil 2/3/4, Dead Space 2023), industry analysts have speculated about what a full Black Flag remake might include:
- Rebuilt visuals: A ground-up rebuild of the Caribbean open world in a modern engine — likely Ubisoft’s Snowdrop engine, which powered The Division and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
- Updated gameplay: Bringing the combat, stealth, and sailing systems in line with modern AC standards — likely drawing on the refined mechanics from AC Mirage and AC Shadows
- Story preservation: The core Edward Kenway narrative is widely considered one of the franchise’s best — a remake would almost certainly preserve the main story beats while potentially expanding side content
- Modern accessibility: Current-gen features including DualSense haptic feedback on PS5, 60fps performance mode, and modern accessibility options
- The Jackdaw: The naval combat and ship upgrades that made Black Flag beloved would presumably be the centerpiece of any faithful remake
Where to Play Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Right Now
While waiting for any potential remake, the original AC IV: Black Flag remains readily available and fully playable across multiple platforms in 2026.
| Platform | Available? | Notes |
| PS5 | ✅ Backward compatible | PS4 version plays via backward compatibility |
| PS4 | ✅ Native | Disc and digital available |
| PS3 | ✅ Native | Original version; disc only for most regions |
| Xbox Series X/S | ✅ Backward compatible | Xbox 360/One version via backward compat |
| Xbox One | ✅ Native | Digital on Xbox Store |
| Xbox 360 | ✅ Original version | Disc; older but fully functional |
| PC (Ubisoft Connect) | ✅ Native | Best visual quality; Ubisoft Connect or Steam |
| PC (Steam) | ✅ Native | Steam key widely available |
The PC version via Ubisoft Connect or Steam offers the best visual quality in 2026, with the ability to run at higher resolutions and frame rates than any console version. The game supports 4K output on PC. Black Flag on Steam frequently goes on deep discount — under $5 is common during Ubisoft sales.
AC Black Flag on PS3 — Is It Worth Playing?
The PS3 version of AC IV Black Flag is the original release and is fully functional, but it is noticeably inferior to the PS4 and PC versions in resolution, texture quality, draw distance, and frame rate. If you have access to a PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or PC, those versions are significantly better looking. The PS3 version is only worth seeking out if it is the only platform available — the gameplay is identical but the visual presentation is a meaningful step below.
AC Black Flag on Xbox One
The Xbox One version is native and runs well. On Xbox Series X/S via backward compatibility with FPS Boost enabled, it runs at up to 60fps — smoother than the original Xbox One performance. The Xbox digital version is available from the Microsoft Store. Black Flag is also periodically included in Xbox Game Pass catalog rotations — check your current Game Pass catalog for availability.
AC Black Flag Rating
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is rated M for Mature (17+) by the ESRB. The rating is for blood, sexual themes, strong language, use of alcohol, and violence. The pirate setting and naval combat involve period-accurate depictions of sea warfare. The strong language and alcohol use are consistent throughout the narrative. The M rating is appropriate and parents of younger players should be aware of the content.
Assassin’s Creed Remakes: The Full Picture
Black Flag is not the only AC title that has been discussed in the context of remakes. The broader AC remakes landscape in 2026:
- AC1 / AC2 on PS5: The original Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed II have not received official PS5 remakes. The Ezio Collection (remastering AC2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is available on PS4/PS5 via backward compatibility. AC1 is not currently available on PS5 without a PS3 or PC.
- AC Mirage (2023): A smaller-scale return to the original AC formula — stealth-focused, smaller open world. Available on PS5/Xbox Series X/PC. Effectively a love letter to the original AC games.
- AC Shadows (2024): The current-gen flagship entry — dual protagonist system in feudal Japan. Available on PS5/Xbox Series X/PC. Represents the modern AC RPG direction.
- Can you play AC1 on PS5: No native PS5 version exists. AC1 requires a PS3, PC, or Xbox 360 to play in its original form. There are no current-generation remasters of AC1 available.
For a complete guide to the best AC games and where they sit in the franchise timeline, see our guide to the best RPG games on PS4, PS5, and PS3 — covering every major Assassin’s Creed entry and where to start.
For the official Assassin’s Creed Black Flag listing and current pricing, see the Ubisoft official AC Black Flag page. For the latest AC Black Flag remake news and leaks, see the r/assassinscreed subreddit.
For more on this topic, also see our guide to the complete AC Black Flag game guide — controls, Jackdaw upgrades, sequences, and endings.
Why AC Black Flag Is the Most-Requested Remake
No Assassin’s Creed game has generated more sustained fan demand for a remake than Black Flag. The reasons are specific and consistent across the AC community:
• Naval combat: Black Flag’s ship combat system — sailing the Jackdaw across the Caribbean, building up for broadside exchanges with Man-of-War vessels, boarding ships in the chaos of cannon smoke — has never been replicated at the same quality in a subsequent AC game. Rogue used the same engine, but Black Flag’s setting gave it context and scale that made it definitive.
• Edward Kenway’s character arc: Edward starts as a selfish pirate motivated purely by gold and gradually develops into someone who understands what he is fighting for. This arc — from mercenary opportunist to principled Assassin — is widely considered one of the franchise’s best character journeys.
• The pirate setting: 18th century Caribbean piracy is a setting that no other major game franchise has seriously explored at this scale. The music, the geography, the historical figures (Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Mary Read), and the atmosphere created a distinct world that fans want to return to.
• Aging without a modern replacement: Black Flag on PS5 via backward compatibility still looks good and plays well, but a ground-up remake with modern engine visuals, current-gen haptics on PS5, and updated combat mechanics would be a genuine new experience rather than nostalgia revisit.
AC Black Flag vs Other Ubisoft Remake Priorities
Ubisoft has multiple franchise entries that fans have requested remakes for — Prince of Persia: Sands of Time received an announced (and repeatedly delayed) remake, and Splinter Cell has been discussed repeatedly. The question is whether Black Flag’s remake will arrive before or after these other projects, and where it fits in Ubisoft’s current financial and development priorities.
Ubisoft’s financial position in 2024-2026 has been challenging — the company has canceled projects, delayed releases, and undergone significant restructuring. A Black Flag remake, if in development, is likely being made at a cost-conscious scope — a full ground-up remake is more resource-intensive than the reported ‘reimagining’ scope some leakers have described.
Regardless of when Ubisoft officially announces the Black Flag remake, the original game remains one of the most replayable entries in the franchise — available on virtually every platform and worth experiencing (or re-experiencing) before the remake arrives and potentially resets expectations for what the setting can look like in 2026-era visuals.
The community anticipation is real, the leaks are consistent, and the business case for Ubisoft to leverage one of their most beloved IP entries is strong. The announcement, when it comes, is unlikely to be a surprise to anyone who has been following gaming news.
Bottom Line
| Official remake announcement | ❌ Not confirmed as of July 2026 |
| Leak credibility | ✅ Multiple insiders — in development at Ubisoft Singapore |
| Official release date | ❌ None |
| Official sequel | ❌ No direct Black Flag sequel announced |
| Best platform to play original | PC (Ubisoft Connect/Steam) — highest visual quality |
| PS5 availability | ✅ PS4 version via backward compatibility |
| PS3 availability | ✅ Original version — disc only, visually inferior |
| Xbox One availability | ✅ Native; Xbox Series X runs it at 60fps via FPS Boost |
| ESRB rating | M for Mature (17+) |
| Steam price | Often under $5 on sale; full price ~$20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Black Flag remake coming out?
No official announcement has been made as of July 2026. Multiple credible gaming industry insiders have reported that an Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake is in development at Ubisoft Singapore, but Ubisoft has not confirmed the project. No official trailer, release date, or reveal has been released. The most likely reveal window based on current leak timelines is 2026-2027.
When is the AC Black Flag remake release date?
There is no official release date. Ubisoft has not confirmed the project exists. Based on leaker reports suggesting active development, and assuming a 2-3 year development cycle from the earliest leaked reports, a 2026-2027 release window is speculative but plausible. No date should be considered confirmed until Ubisoft makes an official announcement.
Will there be an Assassin’s Creed Black Flag sequel?
No direct sequel to Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag has been announced. The franchise has moved away from the pirate Caribbean setting with each subsequent entry. AC Rogue (2014) used similar naval mechanics in the same era. A return to the pirate setting remains one of the most requested directions in Assassin’s Creed fan communities, and a Black Flag remake could potentially set up new storylines in that world.
Can you play Assassin’s Creed Black Flag on PS5?
Yes — through PS5’s backward compatibility with PS4 games. The PS4 version of AC Black Flag runs on PS5. There is no native PS5 remaster or upgrade. The game plays well via backward compatibility but does not include PS5-specific features like DualSense haptics or the performance improvements that native PS5 games receive.
Is Assassin’s Creed Black Flag on Xbox One?
Yes — AC Black Flag is available natively on Xbox One via the Microsoft Store. On Xbox Series X/S, the game benefits from FPS Boost via backward compatibility, running at up to 60fps versus the original Xbox One’s variable frame rate. It is also playable on Xbox 360 via disc.
What are all the Assassin’s Creed remakes?
As of 2026, no mainline Assassin’s Creed game has received a full ground-up remake. The closest existing remasters are the Ezio Collection (AC2, Brotherhood, Revelations remastered for current gen), the AC3 Remastered included with AC Odyssey Season Pass, and various visual upgrades bundled with re-releases. A full AC Black Flag remake is widely reported to be in development but has not been officially announced.
