Home
AC Infinity

Assassin's Creed Boss Departure: Côté Says Exit Was Not His Choice

Last Updated: November 14, 2025

Marc-Alexis Côté, former VP and executive producer of Assassin's Creed, at Ubisoft.

Marc-Alexis Côté, the long-serving VP and executive producer of the Assassin's Creed franchise, has departed Ubisoft in a move that he has since clarified was not his decision. The October 2024 exit of the pivotal figure, who helped steer the celebrated series for over a decade, marks a significant moment for both the veteran developer and the future trajectory of one of gaming's most iconic properties.

Côté's departure comes amidst a period of widespread restructuring at the publisher, raising questions about the long-term stewardship of the franchise he was tasked to unify.

Côté's Journey and Impact on Assassin's Creed

Côté's history with Ubisoft is deeply intertwined with the fabric of Assassin's Creed. His career includes leadership roles on key titles, serving as creative director on the fan-favorite Assassin's Creed Syndicate before becoming a senior producer on Assassin's Creed Odyssey. His influence grew until he was appointed to oversee the entire brand, tasked with shaping its long-term strategy and unifying its future.

Under his leadership, the franchise embarked on an ambitious new chapter centered on the "Assassin's Creed Hub" (originally codenamed Infinity). This platform was designed to be a central launcher and evolving universe connecting various Assassin's Creed narratives and settings. Côté was the public face of this new vision, revealing a diverse slate of upcoming projects intended to cater to all types of fans. These projects, now well into development, include:

  • Assassin's Creed Shadows: The highly anticipated journey into feudal Japan, which Côté announced as Codename Red. The game promises the dual fantasy of playing as both a powerful samurai and a stealthy shinobi.
  • Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe: A more mysterious and seemingly darker title, rumored to explore themes of witchcraft during the Holy Roman Empire, promising a distinct and unsettling experience for the series.
  • Assassin's Creed Mirage: The successful 2023 release that served as a deliberate return to the series' roots of stealth, parkour, and assassination. The game was well-received by fans yearning for the classic formula and was a key part of Côté's strategy to diversify the franchise's offerings beyond massive RPGs.

In a LinkedIn post following the news, Côté clarified the nature of his exit, stating, "I did not make the choice to leave Ubisoft," adding that his departure was part of a broader corporate restructuring. This statement reframes his exit not as a personal career move, but as a casualty of the publisher's ongoing strategic realignment.

The Future of the Assassin's Creed Saga

The departure of a key leader like Côté naturally raises concerns about the vision for Assassin's Creed. However, the immediate roadmap for the series remains robust. The groundwork laid under his leadership is well-established, with massive, dedicated teams across multiple studios continuing their work.

Development on Assassin's Creed Shadows continues at full pace at Ubisoft Quebec, the studio behind Odyssey, with its established leadership team guiding the project toward its release. The strategic direction for a more interconnected universe via the Hub is a multi-year plan that likely transcends any single leadership change. The sheer scale of development, involving thousands of employees globally, ensures a high degree of continuity.

While Côté's unifying vision will be missed, the franchise's future remains one of continued expansion. The focus will remain on delivering the high-quality, immersive experiences he championed, exploring new historical periods and gameplay styles. The established momentum of the current development cycles is expected to carry the series forward through its next major releases.

Ubisoft's Evolving Landscape and Ongoing Restructuring

Côté's involuntary departure is a high-profile example of a significant organizational evolution at Ubisoft. For several years, the company has been undergoing restructurings and strategic adjustments to streamline operations and adapt to a volatile global market. These changes have included multiple rounds of layoffs, studio closures, and a broader corporate shake-up aimed at achieving greater efficiency and profitability.

This period of intense recalibration has seen Ubisoft focus on its biggest brands, like Assassin's Creed and Rainbow Six, while canceling smaller projects and divesting from non-core assets. Côté’s exit can be seen as part of this larger, often painful, narrative of adaptation as the veteran publisher repositions itself for sustained success in a highly competitive industry.

Looking Ahead for Côté and Ubisoft

For Marc-Alexis Côté, his departure marks the end of an era. His contributions to Assassin's Creed are indelible, from his creative direction on Syndicate to his recent role as the franchise's chief strategist. Given his extensive experience and profound impact on one of gaming's most successful series, his next steps will be keenly watched by the industry.

For Ubisoft, the task is ensuring stability. Rather than appointing a direct successor, the publisher appears to be relying on the established leadership within its individual development studios, such as Ubisoft Quebec and Montreal, to guide their respective projects. The strength of the Assassin's Creed brand, coupled with the advanced state of its upcoming games, suggests the franchise will remain a cornerstone of Ubisoft's portfolio. The community now waits to see if the ambitious, unified future Côté envisioned can be fully realized without its primary architect at the helm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who is Marc-Alexis Côté?
A: Marc-Alexis Côté is a veteran game developer who was most recently the VP and executive producer for the entire Assassin's Creed franchise at Ubisoft. His previous roles included creative director on Assassin's Creed Syndicate and senior producer on Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

Q: Why did Marc-Alexis Côté leave Ubisoft?
A: Côté publicly stated that he "did not make the choice to leave Ubisoft." His departure was part of a wider corporate restructuring and series of layoffs occurring at the company as it works to streamline its operations.

Q: How long was Marc-Alexis Côté with Ubisoft?
A: Marc-Alexis Côté had a distinguished career at Ubisoft, working at the company for over a decade and dedicating a significant portion of his professional life to the Assassin's Creed series.

Q: What impact will this have on upcoming Assassin's Creed games?
A: The immediate impact is expected to be minimal, as upcoming titles like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Codename Hexe are already deep in development with established teams and leaders at their respective studios. The long-term strategic vision for the franchise, however, will now be guided by a new leadership structure.

Q: What is the "Assassin's Creed Hub"?
A: The Assassin's Creed Hub (formerly known as Infinity) is a central platform that will launch future games, starting with Assassin's Creed Shadows. It is designed to connect various Assassin's Creed experiences and serve as a live-service gateway to different historical settings and narratives.

Q: Is Ubisoft continuing to make organizational changes?
A: Yes, Ubisoft has been engaged in a multi-year process of restructuring, which has included layoffs, project cancellations, and strategic shifts to focus on its largest and most profitable franchises. Côté's departure is a direct result of these ongoing changes.