Ubisoft can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to keeping secrets. The official Assassin’s Creed YouTube channel reportedly uploaded unreleased footage on December 11, 2025, joining the ranks of other self-inflicted leaks that plagued The Game Awards week. While details remain scarce about exactly what was shown before Ubisoft yanked the video down, the incident adds another embarrassing chapter to what’s becoming a pattern of companies accidentally spoiling their own announcements.
Another Day, Another Leak
The Assassin’s Creed franchise has been no stranger to leaks over the past few years. From the Black Flag remake that’s reached unprecedented levels of exposure despite never being officially announced, to details about the mysterious multiplayer project Codename Invictus that keep surfacing online, Ubisoft’s flagship series seems incapable of maintaining any element of surprise. What makes this particular leak notable is that it came directly from Ubisoft’s own official channel rather than a third-party source or industry insider.
This YouTube mishap follows a week where multiple major publishers fumbled their Game Awards reveals. IO Interactive accidentally posted the 007 First Light trailer revealing Lenny Kravitz hours early. Two separate Tomb Raider games leaked before their official unveiling. Even a Korean advertisement spoiled Arknights Endfield’s release date ahead of schedule. The gaming industry’s ability to keep anything under wraps in 2025 appears to be at an all-time low.
What Could Have Leaked
While specific details about the uploaded footage remain unclear, the most likely candidates for accidental exposure are Assassin’s Creed Invictus or the frequently-leaked Black Flag remake. Invictus has been described in previous leaks as a Fall Guys-inspired multiplayer game featuring up to 16 players competing in round-based minigames. Players would supposedly control iconic Assassin’s Creed characters like Ezio, Altair, and others across various game modes including team deathmatch and racing challenges.
The multiplayer concept has been controversial among fans who remember the beloved competitive modes from Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, Revelations, III, and Black Flag. Those games featured tense cat-and-mouse gameplay where players hunted each other while blending into crowds. The new arcade-style approach with “bubble shields” like Smash Bros and distant camera angles sounds dramatically different from what made AC multiplayer special a decade ago.
The Black Flag Remake That Won’t Stop Leaking
Alternatively, the footage could have been related to Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag Resynced, the remake that’s become something of a running joke in gaming circles. This project has leaked so many times through so many different channels that it’s genuinely difficult to keep track of whether Ubisoft has officially acknowledged it or not. PEGI ratings, voice actor interviews, internal documents, and retailer listings have all confirmed its existence at various points.
The Black Flag remake is reportedly being built in Ubisoft’s new Anvil engine and was targeting a March 2026 release window according to the most recent leaks. The original 2013 game remains one of the most beloved entries in the franchise thanks to its pirate setting, naval combat, and charismatic protagonist Edward Kenway. A modern remake with current-generation graphics and refined gameplay mechanics would be a safe bet for Ubisoft, which might explain why they’re taking their time to get it right.
Ubisoft’s Leak Problem
This isn’t the first time Ubisoft has accidentally exposed its own projects. In 2022, YouTuber Dan Allen Gaming was revealed to be behind a Twitter account called TheRealInsider that leaked Assassin’s Creed announcements. The twist? Allen wasn’t some mysterious industry insider. He was simply breaking embargo agreements on information Ubisoft had shared with him as a content creator. The incident highlighted how the modern influencer marketing ecosystem creates countless potential leak points.
More recently, physical copies of Assassin’s Creed Shadows leaked nearly a month before the game’s official launch in early 2025, with footage of people streaming the unpatched version appearing online. Ubisoft had to issue statements clarifying that the leaked discs weren’t final and lacked day-one patches. Each leak chips away at carefully orchestrated marketing campaigns that cost millions to execute.
The Wider Context
Assassin’s Creed is going through a period of massive expansion under the Infinity/Animus Hub initiative. Shadows launched in March 2025 to strong reviews and sales. The franchise roadmap reportedly includes AC Hexe set during witch trials, a game codenamed Scarlet, multiple remakes, and the mysterious Invictus multiplayer project. Ubisoft is also working with Netflix on animated series and has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s government on tourism-focused content.
With so many projects in various stages of development and so many external partners involved, maintaining secrecy becomes exponentially harder. Marketing materials get shared with press under embargo. Trailers get uploaded to content delivery networks days before official reveals. Regional marketing teams in different time zones coordinate campaigns. Any one of these touchpoints can become a leak vector, whether through human error or intentional rule-breaking.
Why This Matters
Beyond the embarrassment factor, these leaks have real financial implications. Publishers pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for premiere trailer slots at events like The Game Awards specifically because of the massive viewership and social media buzz. When a trailer leaks hours before its scheduled reveal, much of that impact evaporates. Fans have already seen it, discussed it, and moved on by the time the official presentation happens.
There’s also the question of whether leaks actually hurt or help marketing efforts. Some argue that leaks generate additional buzz and discussion, keeping games in the conversation longer than a single announcement would. Others contend that spoiled surprises undermine carefully crafted narratives and disappoint fans who were looking forward to genuine reveals. The truth probably varies case by case, but intentional or not, Ubisoft would clearly prefer to control when and how its projects are announced.
FAQs
What did the Assassin’s Creed YouTube channel leak?
Specific details remain unclear, but the official Assassin’s Creed YouTube channel reportedly uploaded unreleased footage on December 11, 2025, before quickly removing it. The content likely related to either Assassin’s Creed Invictus or the Black Flag remake.
What is Assassin’s Creed Invictus?
Assassin’s Creed Invictus is a rumored multiplayer game featuring up to 16 players in Fall Guys-style round-based competition. Players would control iconic AC characters across various minigame modes including team deathmatch and racing challenges.
Has the Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake been officially announced?
No, Ubisoft has never officially announced the Black Flag remake despite it leaking repeatedly through PEGI ratings, voice actor interviews, and other sources. The project is widely known to exist but remains unconfirmed by Ubisoft.
Why does Assassin’s Creed leak so frequently?
With multiple AC games in development, numerous external partners, press embargoes, marketing materials distributed globally, and influencer programs, there are countless potential leak points. The franchise’s size and scope make secrecy increasingly difficult to maintain.
When will Assassin’s Creed Invictus be released?
Previous reports suggested a 2025 or 2026 release window for Invictus, though Ubisoft has never officially announced the game or confirmed any release date. Development status remains unclear.
What other Assassin’s Creed games are in development?
Beyond Shadows which launched in March 2025, Ubisoft is reportedly working on AC Hexe set during witch trials, a game codenamed Scarlet, the Black Flag remake, Invictus multiplayer, and potentially other remakes and projects as part of the franchise’s expanded roadmap.
How much does it cost to premiere a trailer at The Game Awards?
According to reports from around The Game Awards 2025, it costs publishers up to $450,000 to show a one-minute trailer at the event, making premature leaks particularly costly for companies investing in these premiere slots.
Conclusion
The Assassin’s Creed YouTube channel mishap is just the latest in a long series of leaks that have plagued Ubisoft’s flagship franchise. Whether it’s accidental uploads, broken embargoes, or retailers jumping the gun on listings, the company seems to be fighting a losing battle against the tide of premature information. In an industry where surprise reveals and carefully orchestrated announcements are considered crucial marketing tools, Ubisoft’s inability to keep its Assassin’s Creed projects under wraps has become something of a running joke. The silver lining is that fan interest remains high despite all the spoilers, proving that sometimes even a badly kept secret can still generate excitement. Still, you have to wonder if someone at Ubisoft’s marketing department is having a very bad December after watching leak after leak undermine months of careful planning.