If you’ve been waiting for Ubisoft to officially announce the Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake, you might finally get your wish this week. On December 8, 2025, a PEGI rating appeared for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, the official name for what fans have been speculating about for nearly two years. The timing couldn’t be more obvious, with The Game Awards 2025 scheduled for December 11, making this leak feel less like an accident and more like the world’s most obvious teaser.
The PEGI Rating That Confirms Everything
The PEGI website now lists Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced with a rating, which means the game has gone through official classification. This is typically one of the final steps before a public announcement. The listing confirms this is a full remake, not a simple remaster, and notes that it will include in-game purchases. Whether that means cosmetic items through the Animus Hub system or future DLC remains unclear, but fans are already wondering if the beloved Freedom Cry expansion will get the remake treatment too.
What makes this particularly interesting is the subtitle itself. Resynced isn’t just a marketing term. According to leaks and fan speculation, the name ties into Assassin’s Creed lore, suggesting that a different character is re-experiencing Edward Kenway’s memories through the Animus at higher fidelity. Think of it as the same historical data being viewed with upgraded technology. This clever narrative framing allows Ubisoft to modernize the game while keeping the original 2013 release canonically intact.
Two Years of Leaks Finally Coming Together
The Black Flag remake has been gaming’s worst-kept secret since reports first emerged in 2023. Kotaku initially broke the story that Ubisoft Singapore was working on a full remake of the beloved pirate adventure. Since then, the evidence has piled up. Matt Ryan, the voice actor behind protagonist Edward Kenway, dropped hints at Comic Con Wales in August 2024 when asked about reprising his role. His response included a knowing smirk and the words, “I’m so bad at this,” which fans immediately interpreted as confirmation he’d been sworn to secrecy.
Things escalated further in June 2025 when Ryan was filmed at another convention telling a fan there was “a reason” they might need to play Black Flag again, but he couldn’t say more because Ubisoft had threatened legal action. Meanwhile, collectible maker PureArts inadvertently fueled speculation during a May 2025 livestream by hinting at “something going on with Edward” while discussing a new figure line. Despite all this, Ubisoft has maintained complete radio silence, never officially acknowledging the remake exists.
What the Remake Will Actually Change
This isn’t a simple visual upgrade. According to reports from Insider Gaming and other outlets, Black Flag Resynced represents a substantial overhaul built on an upgraded version of the Anvil engine. The remake will introduce modern RPG mechanics similar to recent Assassin’s Creed titles like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. That means loot systems, weapon and equipment stats, and a reworked combat system that’s less choreographed and more dynamic.
One of the most exciting changes involves seamless exploration. Ubisoft reportedly plans to eliminate loading screens entirely, allowing players to sail between locations in one unbroken sequence. The smaller Caribbean islands will receive more content beyond the chest or two they typically contained in the original. Estimates suggest around four hours of additional content have been added, including a restored section involving the character Mary Read that was cut from the 2013 version.
| Feature | Original (2013) | Resynced (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Engine | AnvilNext | Upgraded Anvil Engine |
| Combat System | Counter-based choreographed | RPG-style dynamic combat |
| Loot & Inventory | Basic equipment system | Stats-based RPG mechanics |
| Island Exploration | Minimal content on small islands | Enhanced content across locations |
| Loading Times | Loading screens between areas | Seamless open world sailing |
| Additional Content | Base game + DLC | 4+ hours of new content including cut scenes |
The Game Awards Timing is Perfect
The Game Awards has become gaming’s biggest stage for major announcements, and December 11, 2025 would be the ideal moment for Ubisoft to finally pull back the curtain. The PEGI rating appearing just days before the show is classic pre-announcement marketing, building buzz without officially saying anything. Some fans are even hoping for a shadow drop, where Ubisoft announces the game and makes it immediately available. While that seems unlikely, the timing suggests we’ll at least see a reveal trailer and release date.
The original plan reportedly aimed for a November 2025 release, but the multiple delays to Assassin’s Creed Shadows threw off Ubisoft’s entire roadmap. Shadows was pushed from November 2024 to February 2025, then ultimately to March 2025. According to Insider Gaming, Black Flag Resynced is now targeting the week of March 23, 2026, with March 26 being the most likely release date. This would give Shadows a few weeks to breathe before another major Assassin’s Creed release hits the market.
Why Black Flag Deserves This Treatment
Released in 2013, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is widely considered one of the franchise’s best entries. The game brilliantly balanced traditional Assassin gameplay with innovative naval combat and open-world Caribbean exploration. Playing as pirate-turned-assassin Edward Kenway, players experienced a character-driven story about redemption, greed, and the price of freedom. The naval battles became so popular that Ubisoft later spun them off into a standalone game called Skull and Bones.
More than a decade later, Black Flag’s gameplay still holds up, but the visuals and mechanics show their age. The original was developed for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, then upgraded for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. A full remake using modern technology could transform the Caribbean into a living, breathing world while preserving what made the original special. The introduction of RPG mechanics might be controversial among purists, but it could also attract a new generation of players who discovered the series through Origins or Valhalla.
What Happens to Freedom Cry
One lingering question is what happens to Freedom Cry, the standalone expansion that told the story of Adewale, Edward’s former quartermaster. Set 15 years after Black Flag’s main story, Freedom Cry dealt with slavery and liberation in Haiti with surprising emotional weight. The PEGI listing’s mention of in-game purchases could suggest DLC plans, and remaking Freedom Cry alongside the main game would make perfect sense. However, Ubisoft hasn’t confirmed anything about the expansion’s inclusion.
FAQs
What is Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced?
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is the official title for the full remake of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, originally released in 2013. It’s being rebuilt with modern graphics, updated mechanics, and additional content, not just a visual remaster.
When will Black Flag Resynced be announced?
While not officially confirmed, the PEGI rating appearing on December 8, 2025, strongly suggests an announcement at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025. The timing is too convenient to be coincidental.
What’s the release date for Black Flag Resynced?
According to leaks from Insider Gaming, the game is targeting the week of March 23, 2026, with March 26 being the most likely release date. This follows delays caused by Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ multiple postponements.
Will Matt Ryan return as Edward Kenway?
While not officially confirmed, Matt Ryan has heavily hinted at his involvement during convention appearances throughout 2024 and 2025. He even mentioned that Ubisoft threatened legal action after he dropped too many hints to fans.
What does Resynced mean in the game’s lore?
Resynced appears to be a lore-friendly explanation for the remake. It suggests a different character is re-experiencing Edward Kenway’s memories through the Animus at higher fidelity, viewing the same historical data with upgraded technology. This keeps the original game canon while justifying the visual and gameplay improvements.
Will the remake add RPG mechanics?
Yes, according to multiple reports, Black Flag Resynced will introduce RPG-style mechanics similar to recent Assassin’s Creed games. Expect loot systems, weapon and equipment stats, and a reworked combat system that’s less choreographed and more dynamic.
What new content is being added?
Reports suggest approximately four hours of additional content, including a restored section featuring the character Mary Read that was cut from the original game. Smaller Caribbean islands will also have more activities beyond simple treasure chests.
What platforms will Black Flag Resynced release on?
While not officially confirmed, the game will likely launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Given that it’s a current-generation remake, previous-generation console support seems unlikely.
Will Freedom Cry be included?
The PEGI listing mentions in-game purchases, which could indicate DLC plans. However, there’s no confirmation yet about whether the Freedom Cry expansion will be remade or included with the base game.
Conclusion
After two years of leaks, hints, and speculation, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is finally about to become official. The PEGI rating removes any remaining doubt that the remake exists, and the timing points directly to a Game Awards reveal this week. Whether you’re a longtime fan eager to return to the Caribbean or a newcomer curious about one of the franchise’s most beloved entries, the wait is almost over. Ubisoft has remained frustratingly silent throughout this entire saga, but that silence is about to break. Just keep your expectations in check for a shadow drop, because as much as fans want to play it immediately, a March 2026 release seems far more realistic.