Assassins Creed 4: Black Flag Remake: Steam Activity and Hints Suggest Development in the Works

As the 12th anniversary of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag approaches, rumors and evidence continue to surface online, suggesting that a remake of the popular pirate-themed game is in the works. The latest signs come from the game's Steam repository, which has seen some unusual activity that could be a sign of ongoing development work. According to Twitter user TheRealZephryss, Ubisoft recently updated the game's page on Valve’s storefront with four new versions of a single gameplay "microtrailer" that plays by default when the listing is opened from a client. This type of repository update is uncommon for a 12-year-old game, implying that the change may signal more than a routine update to outdated promotional materials. Additionally, data scraped by SteamDB shows that Ubisoft has modified several of the game’s Steam content packages on June 4 and 12, though the details of those changes remain undisclosed. The recent activity in the Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag Steam repo follows a series of hints and rumors that have been circulating since early 2023. In October 2024, Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson reported that Ubisoft was initially planning to release the remake in late 2025, most likely in the November slot. However, this timeline was pushed back following the initial delay of Assassin's Creed Shadows. Given that all the postponements for Shadows amounted to only a few months in total, the Black Flag remake could still reach the market in a similar window—possibly as early as the first half of 2026. The upcoming late August 2025 edition of Gamescom could serve as a well-timed opportunity to officially reveal the game. However, Ubisoft has traditionally preferred announcing new Assassin's Creed entries at their own dedicated events. If the Black Flag remake is set to appear at Gamescom 2025, it would likely be officially revealed ahead of the event. The Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake is widely regarded as one of the best games in the series, and fans have been eagerly awaiting its potential return. The original game, released in 2013, allowed players to take on the role of Edward Kenway as he navigated the high seas during the Golden Age of Piracy. The game's open-world design, engaging storyline, and immersive gameplay mechanics have made it a fan favorite since its release. In addition to the recent Steam repo activity, other signs of a remake include a hint from Canadian collectible manufacturer PureArts, which has created limited-edition collectibles based on a wide variety of Ubisoft games, including every mainline entry in the Assassin's Creed series. During a stream dedicated to new Assassin's Creed figures, a company representative said "There’s going to be something going on with [the AC4 protagonist] Edward," fueling speculation that a remake is in the works. Overall, while the timing of a potential reveal remains unclear, the recent activity in the Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag Steam repo and other hints suggest that a remake of this beloved game is indeed in development. Fans will undoubtedly be on the lookout for more official announcements in the coming months.