Marc-Alexis Cote, the head of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, has left Ubisoft after nearly twenty years with the company. This transition follows Ubisoft’s decision to transfer control of the franchise to Vantage Studios, a new entity established in partnership with Tencent.

Cote initially joined Ubisoft in 2005 as a software engineer, later stepping into the role of lead level designer for Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. His rise continued as he took on significant roles, including director for Assassin’s Creed 3 and overseeing future plans for the series during his tenure on the latest installment, Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

This week, Ubisoft informed its employees of Cote’s departure, which is reportedly linked to an offer he declined for a leadership role at Vantage Studios. Derennes expressed disappointment over Cote’s choice not to accept the position.

While the impact of Cote’s departure on future Assassin’s Creed titles remains uncertain, the upcoming “Valley of Memory” DLC for Assassin’s Creed Mirage is scheduled to launch on November 18 and is expected to proceed without disruption.

Furthermore, potential changes to the franchise’s direction might affect future titles like Assassin’s Creed Hexe, rumored to explore a darker narrative set during the 16th-century Holy Roman Empire.