Ubisoft is in development of two Far Cry games, one is Far Cry 7 and another is a multiplayer title, but this time, directions are different.

Ubisoft has not yet confirmed Far Cry 7. Prior reports indicate that the next game is being developed alongside a Far Cry multiplayer game, currently under development under the codename Maverick, which is an extraction-based shooter. Along with it, there is another title in the franchise that is reported to be in development, codenamed Blackbird, which is going to be the next mainline title.

Far Cry 7 is reportedly in development. | Credit: Ubisoft.

However, no one knows when we will be getting some hints about these two titles, but all we know right now is that their release dates have been pushed back from 2025 to 2026, according to credible reports. This comes after the saddening shutdown of XDefiant, which failed to build a substantial player base. Not only it is pushing the release date, but the upcoming titles might also be pushing away the old Far Cry formulas as well.

Far Cry 7 is reportedly leaving its roots

Far Cry 7 will forget the old “Far Cry formulas.” | Credit: Ubisoft.

According to a report from Insider Gaming‘s Tom Henderson, both games are expected to depart from the “Far Cry formula” as they shift from Dunia to Snowdrop, which is being developed at Ubisoft Montreal. In order to survive in Maverick, which is set in the Alaskan wilderness, players must battle against one another, animals, and the severe weather.

In contrast, Blackbird will now require the player to save his family, who have been abducted by a conspiracy cult that has been using hallucinogenic experiments on children and animals. According to the story, the player has 24 real-life hours (72 in-game hours) to save their family. The player wears a watch on his wrist to indicate the timer in-game.

However, the two games’ gameplay loops aren’t the only thing that has changed. The movement systems in both games have reportedly undergone a major overhaul, adding tactical spriting, sliding, vaulting, and other features. This appears to be because both projects were inspired by the same game and have comparable movement mechanics, with the similarities between the two games influencing each other.

Although sources clarify that it has no effect on mainline entry, other elements, such as the inventory system and looting, also seem to carry over from the extraction-based shooter into Blackbird. When asked, one source responded, “I’d say it makes a lot of sense given your desperation to rescue your family.”

Concerns loom over Maverick as it’s a multiplayer title

Ubisoft is concerned about making a Far Cry multiplayer title after the XDefiant disaster. | Credit: Ubisoft.

Although Ubisoft Montreal and its affiliated studios are optimistic about Blackbird internally, recent events at the publisher have raised some worries about Maverick and its future. For almost ten years, Ubisoft has been trying to create a Far Cry multiplayer game.

Although an extraction shooter would make a lot of sense for the Far Cry universe, the game was ultimately approved to follow trends, and the genre doesn’t appear to have drawn the player numbers that the industry had anticipated.

Some employees felt that XDefiant‘s recent shutdown and the layoffs that followed felt like the start of a downward spiral, and Yves’ internal memo after the cancellation announcement didn’t give those who were already doubting the future of their project much hope.

However, Far Cry 7 (or whatever tag it has been assigned) and Maverick appear to be a step in the right direction, albeit a significant risk, as Ubisoft appears to be attempting to break its own trend of following trends.

What’s your opinion about Far Cry 7 and the other multiplayer shooter in the Far Cry universe?